As our Joplin car accident attorney can tell you, there are so many different causes of car accidents.
While many are the result of driver negligence, inattention, or incompetence, defective vehicles and poor road conditions are also common causes.
One particular issue our Joplin car accident attorney will discuss here is the accident involving blind spots.
The prevalence of blind spot accidents
It may not be surprising that a great many car accidents when drivers fail to check their blind spots. When making turns, backing up or other similar actions, drivers need to check their blind spots to make sure the roadway is clear. Knowing where your blind spot is, requires knowing your vehicle and being sure to turn your head around and look. You cannot rely simply on checking your mirrors.
Some reports demonstrate that failing to check blind spots causes nearly 50 children being run over or struck each which, with at least two fatal injuries. Unfortunately, blind spot accidents can lead to serious and even fatal injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and other drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 800,000 blind spot car accidents occur in our country every year.
Blind spot car accidents are most often the result of human error
The most common cause of blind spot car accidents is human error because many drivers simply forget to check their blind spots before moving their cars. Distractions, as opposed to mere negligence, can be a big factor. Blind spot accidents can occur when drivers are texting or distracted for some other reason, they are fatigued, intoxicated, or being reckless or aggressive in their driving.
Those situations may be pretty inexcusable. However, there can be other less flagrant reasons for blind spot accidents. For example, when there is minimal light at night that can make it more difficult for drivers to accurately see if someone is in their blind spot. The same is true for drivers with broken lights on a vehicle. Finally, simple inexperience can be a factor. If you or someone you know has been injured in this type of accident, let our Joplin car accident attorney help.
What you can do to identify and manage your blind spots
First, what exactly is a blind spot? Basically, it is an area of your vision that is blocked or impaired, resulting in the inability to see all areas surrounding your vehicle. Not all blind spots are caused by an inability to see the close surroundings of your vehicle. There can also be various obstructions on the roadway that result in a blind spot. At intersections and crosswalks, there can be bushes, road signs or other obstructions that make it difficult or even impossible to see whether another vehicle or pedestrian is approaching.
It is important to always be aware of your surroundings and proceed cautiously when there is an obstruction until your line of vision is unobstructed.
Lane changes and backing up are most often affected by blind spots
As many of us probably recognize, changing lanes and backing up are the most common situations where your vehicle’s blind spot comes into play. According to NHTSA, nearly 20% of car accidents occur during lane changes. In order to avoid sideswiping another vehicle when attempting to change lanes, you must be sure to check your blind spot, which typically means turning your head around to make sure there isn’t another care in that lane.
Rear blind spots are also a big problem, reportedly causing nearly 20,000 injuries and 300 fatalities every year. Your view of the rear of your vehicle will depend on several factors. For instance, the size and type of vehicle you drive and how high the rear deck may be and how narrow the windows are, can all play a role in making blind spots more significant.
Possible recovery following a car accident
The primary goal of any lawsuit is to be compensated monetarily for the injuries you sustain because of someone else’s actions. As any car accident attorney will tell you, the purpose of the lawsuit following a car accident is to make the at-fault driver to compensate you for your injuries and losses resulting from the accident. The amount and type of recovery to which you may be entitled depend on many factors. In the legal arena, what you may recover is referred to as “damages.” If you have questions about your potential recovery following a car accident, discuss your options with our Joplin car accident attorney.
If you have questions regarding car accidents or any other personal injury matters in Arkansas or Missouri, please contact the Cottrell Law Office for a free consultation. You can contact us either online or by calling us toll-free at (888) 433-4861.
Wesley Cottrell
Wes Cottrell earned his B.A. from Pittsburg State University in 1981 and his J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas in 1985. He was admitted to practice law in Kansas in 1986, in Missouri in 1987, in Arkansas in 1989, and Oklahoma in 1993. He is licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, eastern Arkansas, western Arkansas, and western Missouri. He was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Crawford County, Kansas from 1987-1989.
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