Steven A. Bagen | July 9, 2023 | Car Accidents
Many drivers follow traffic laws and pay close attention to what occurs around them. However, some drivers take safety less seriously.
You might drive as safely as possible, but you cannot trust other drivers to do the same. To protect yourself, you likely have to take extra steps to minimize the risks other drivers can cause. One thing you can do is learn how to avoid blind spots on a multi-lane road.
When you drive in another vehicle’s blind spot, other drivers might not see you. While they have a duty to check their blind spots before changing lanes, not everyone takes the necessary care. You cannot avoid driving in everyone’s blind spots, and if they don’t exercise caution they might crash into your car and injure you.
If you suffered injuries in a blind spot collision because of a careless driver, you deserve compensation for your losses. Get medical treatment, then immediately consult a car accident lawyer in your area to learn about your legal options.
What Are Blind Spots?
A blind spot is where vehicle drivers cannot see well when looking out a front window or mirrors. Even with technological developments to reduce blind spots, every vehicle has them – some more than others. The mirrors on your car do not provide comprehensive visuals for every spot in adjacent lanes. In some critical areas, a person can drive right next to you, and you may not see them.
The most common blind spots on a vehicle include:
- The rear corners of the car, slightly behind on either side of the car
- The space directly behind your car where the mirrors cannot access (right at your bumper, for example)
- The area along the side doors of your vehicle
You may find other blind spots while driving. For example, if you drive behind a large SUV or a truck, you may not see the road, signs, or other drivers in front of them. These large vehicles often cause accidents because those following cannot see what to expect on the road. You might approach a road hazard and never realize it – until it is too late.
You cannot avoid all blind spots, no matter how hard you try. On roads and highways with multiple lanes, blind spots can lead to serious accidents when other drivers fail to take proper care.
Tips to Avoid Blind Spots on Larger Roads
The busier a road is, the higher the risk of an accident. As noted, even if you do everything right, you cannot know what other drivers will do, especially how they will manage blind spots.
Even these tips to avoid blind spot accidents on a multi-lane road might not protect you from the negligence of others.
Adjust Your Mirrors to Work Best for You
On a multi-lane road, you should place all your mirrors in the proper position to spot a driver moving into your lane or next to you. As you sit in the driver’s seat, adjust your mirrors before you drive anywhere.
The rearview mirror must provide the best visual out the back window possible. Adjust your side mirrors so they face more outward than inward. This allows you to see more of the lanes next to you and slightly behind you.
Also, remember that if you move from one lane to the next, always turn your head over your shoulder to look behind you. Do not rely just on your mirrors. This way, you check all blind spots before you move your vehicle, minimizing the risk of striking another vehicle.
Adjust Your Seat Just Right
Another way to avoid accidents with other drivers is to see everything possible on the road. An important defensive driving strategy is to place your seat in the correct position. Adjusting the seat may not seem like a big deal, but you can have better visual control by making a few adjustments.
A driver needs to adjust the seat to accommodate their body size. Sit comfortably first. Then, adjust the seat so you can see as much as possible in front of your car and out the mirrors. The key here is to make sure you don’t have to strain too much when you are checking next to you and behind you. You have a comfortable view of your surroundings.
Also, ensure the steering wheel is in a good position and that your feet can easily hit the brake when necessary. Remember that even if you are super safe on the roadway and paying full attention, you do not know if someone else will try to cut in front of you with very little warning or room, which means you must be ready to react.
Try to sit so that you are not slouching. You may want to adjust the pressure on the seat on the lower back so you can comfortably sit up straight. Also, your knees should slightly bend, which gives you greater comfort and more range of motion if you have to act quickly.
Do Your Best to Warn Other Drivers
Let’s say you need to move into another lane to get off the freeway. Always turn on your signal with plenty of notice for drivers in that lane. You should never surprise them by switching into a lane in front of their vehicle without warning.
While the law requires you to use turn signals, doing so might not prevent all accidents. Other drivers can react to turn signals in aggressive ways. For example, you turn your signal on to let a driver know you are about to change lanes. Instead of slowing down, the driver in your blind spot decides they do not want you to get in front of them. They speed up! Unfortunately, this can occur even when you give them ample warning of your intentions.
By turning on your turn signal early, observing the driver’s behavior, and waiting a few extra seconds before moving over, you have done what you can to prevent a lane-change collision.
Check Your Blind Spots Carefully
Taking enough time to check your blind spots carefully is crucial for avoiding accidents on a multi-lane road. Always turn your head and check your blind spots before changing lanes, merging, or making turns. Be especially cautious when driving near motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians, as they can easily go unnoticed in blind spots.
Taking the time to check your blind spots can help you stay aware of your surroundings and prevent collisions, ensuring a safer driving experience for yourself and others on the road.
Do Not Trust Others to Check Their Blind Spots
While you might thoroughly check your blind spots, others might never glance over their shoulders before changing lanes. Stay aware of other vehicles when you are in adjacent lanes or passing. If another driver signals to change lanes, they might not see you if you are in a blind spot. Slow down and give them room or speed up to make your presence known, as appropriate.
Further, try to avoid driving for some time in potential blind spots. If you are next to a large truck, pass them quickly to avoid lingering in a blind spot.
Accidents Still Happen Due to Blind Spots
Staying vigilant and taking proactive measures regarding blind spots can significantly reduce the risk of accidents due to limited visibility; however, these safety tips are never foolproof. Accidents and injuries happen to safe drivers every day on multi-lane roads.
Accidents due to blind spots are common on multi-lane roads and can result in property damage, injuries, or even fatalities.
Here’s a closer look at how blind spots can lead to collisions:
- Lane-changing collisions – One common type of accident occurs when a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spots. This can cause a collision with a vehicle already occupying the adjacent lane.
- Drivers trying to move into the same lane – On a three-lane highway, one driver might be in the far-left lane and the other in the far-right lane. They might both have signals on to move into the middle lane, but they fail to see each other due to blind spots. These crashes often lead to chain reactions and pile-ups.
- Merging mishaps – Blind spots can also lead to accidents when drivers fail to properly assess the presence of vehicles while merging onto highways or changing lanes to exit. Insufficient awareness of vehicles in blind spots can result in sideswipe collisions or force other drivers to take evasive action, crashing into other cars or running off the road.
Blind spot accidents often happen at highway speeds, resulting in extensive damage and injuries. If you believe another driver caused your blind spot collision, allow a car accident lawyer to assess your rights and provide assistance.
How to Get Help After a Car Accident?
You always check your blind spots, use signals, and drive defensively on multi-lane roads. Still, another driver failed to check their blind spot and crashed into your car. You have injuries that require medical treatment and time away from work. You need to hire a car accident attorney.
Your lawyer can assess what happened and how to prove liability for your crash. They can then seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for your serious injuries and losses.
The process of seeking compensation can be long and stressful, but your attorney will handle everything for you. Here are some ways your attorney can guide you.
Gather Evidence of Liability
You must sufficiently prove someone else caused your crash by acting negligently. An insurance company will never compensate you solely on your word and version of events.
Your car accident attorney knows what evidence can prove liability, including:
- Witness statements
- Police and crash reports
- Camera footage
- Accident reconstruction experts
Calculate Your Losses
You must also prove your losses for the insurance company to provide the settlement you deserve.
Your lawyer can assess your losses accurately, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost income
- Future lost earning ability
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities or disfigurement
Insurance companies will undervalue your losses to save money, so never trust their calculations. Also, never accept a settlement offer without consulting an attorney, as you might accept far less than you need to cover your losses.
Handling Your Insurance Claim
Insurance companies can be tricky when processing car accident claims and may try to minimize their liability by offering low settlements or disputing your claim. They have many tactics to reduce your settlement, and you must ensure you receive full compensation.
The good news is your attorney will handle the insurance company, so you never worry about saying or doing anything to jeopardize your financial recovery.
A car accident lawyer will handle all insurance communications and negotiations on your behalf. You gain an advocate who understands the intricacies of insurance policies and knows how to navigate the claims process effectively. They will communicate with insurance companies, gather evidence to support your claim, and negotiate a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages.
With a lawyer on your side, you can focus on your recovery while trusting they will protect your rights and represent your best interests throughout the insurance process.
Know When to Get Legal Help from a Car Accident Attorney
Checking your blind spots and being an alert driver may help keep you safe on the road and monitor other drivers’ actions. Yet, even then, other negligent drivers can cause accidents. When that happens, you need a highly skilled personal injury attorney in Gainesville to help you. Never wait to seek a free case evaluation from a respected car accident attorney near you.