In New York City, thousands of passenger cars share the roads with large commercial trucks daily. Because of this, truck-related crashes remain prevalent along NYC roads. One of the main reasons for such are blind spot incidents that often lead to severe injuries and, sadly, deaths that could have been prevented.
What are truck blind spots?
Trucks have four main blind spots, also called “No Zones.” A truck driver cannot see 20 feet ahead of their cab or 30 feet behind their trailer. They also miss seeing one lane on their left and two lanes on their right. The right-side blind spot poses the most significant threat during turns because it runs the full length of the trailer across many lanes.
How NYC streets make blind spots more risky
NYC’s streets create extra dangers when it comes to truck blind spots:
- Small streets force trucks to make sharp turns
- Bikes and cars often get caught in hidden spots
- Heavy traffic leads to frequent lane switches
- Limited space stops trucks from moving freely
- Many pedestrians cross at busy corners
Smart drivers know to keep their distance from large trucks. Never stay next to a car for too long. Pass trucks fast but safely. Always check that you can see the whole front of the vehicle in your mirror before moving back to that lane.
NYC streets leave little room for error when driving near trucks. Talking to a truck accident lawyer can help you learn about your rights if you’ve been hurt in a truck crash. They know how blind spots play a role in crashes and can guide you through your next steps.