Your Rights After a Blind Spot Accident in Houston, Texas

Every day, there are numerous collisions on I-10, I-45 and I-69 in and around Houston. News outlets regularly report on accidents on the Sam Houston Parkway and I-610 as well. Many of these are blind spot accidents.

If you have been injured in a blind spot accident, you may have a claim for financial compensation. These accidents are frequently the result of driver error, and when someone else’s mistake leads to a collision, the victims are generally entitled to recover their losses.

Common Causes of Blind Spot Accidents

Whether you drive a car, SUV, truck, or motorcycle, at some point, you will be forced to sit in someone else’s blind spot. Driving at speed on the highway, sitting in stop-and-go traffic and commuting on two-lane roads are all situations where blind spot accidents can occur. All drivers owe a legal duty to avoid causing collisions and this includes hitting vehicles in their blind spots. Unfortunately, some drivers simply do a better job than others.

Blind spot accidents are frequently the result of inattentiveness and poor decision-making on the part of negligent drivers. Common causes of blind spot accidents include:

• Distracted driving (talking on the phone, texting, eating, changing songs, or fiddling with GPS)
• Inattentive driving (failing to notice a vehicle in a blind spot)
• Poor decision-making (failing to check mirrors or look over the shoulder prior to merging or changing lanes)

In each of the scenarios described above, the driver’s error will likely give rise to a claim for financial compensation.

Blind Spot Accidents Involving Commercial Trucks

Tractor trailers and 18-wheelers have more – and bigger – blind spots than other vehicles. As a result, many blind spot accidents involve these and other large commercial trucks. But, this does not mean that truck drivers and trucking companies have more leeway when it comes to avoiding liability for blind spot accidents.

Truck drivers have the same responsibilities as everyone else and trucking companies are legally required to ensure that their drivers have adequate training and experience before sending them out on the public roads. When a commercial truck hits a vehicle in its blind spot, both the truck driver and the trucking company can be held financially responsible.

Seeking Financial Compensation After a Blind Spot Accident

In order to seek financial compensation for a blind spot accident, you will need to follow your doctor’s advice, and you should be sure to keep as much evidence as possible from the collision. This includes any photos you took at the scene, photos of the damage to your vehicle, damaged clothes other personal items, and bills and receipts for any expenses you incur.

You can learn more about what to do (and what not to do) by reading our two-part series, Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Car Accident Claim. For advice specific to your case, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation at Morrow & Sheppard LLP

As experienced Houston personal injury lawyers, Nick Morrow and John D. Sheppard regularly represent clients who have been injured in vehicle collisions throughout the greater Houston area. To find out if you may be entitled to financial compensation for your blind spot accident, contact Morrow & Sheppard LLP online or call (800) 489-2216 today.