Blind Spot Accident

A recent Gallup poll indicated that 83% of U.S. adults drive a motor vehicle at least several times each week. With all of the driving Americans do daily and the easy access to a wide variety of electronic devices it is easy to become distracted or make a wrong decision. Most American drivers are familiar with safe driving tips and techniques and attempt to drive safely and carefully. Unfortunately, it is easy to make a mistake and fail to look at blind spots to avoid an accident safely. Drivers who are tired, distracted, inexperienced, or those with eyesight or neck mobility problems are at a higher risk of missing a car in their blind spot. Car accidents caused by drivers failing to look at blind spots can be devastating and cause severe injuries.

If you have suffered injuries from a car accident caused by another driver’s failure to check their blind spot, you might be entitled to compensation. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC our skilled Charlotte personal injury attorneys have helped many clients recover compensation. Under North Carolina law, negligent drivers are responsible for the injuries caused by their negligence. Successful plaintiffs may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering, and possibly punitive damages.

A blind spot is an area around a vehicle that the driver cannot directly observe. Driver visibility is the maximum distance at which a driver can identify objects around the vehicle. There are several reasons why a driver might miss something in his or her blind spot. Drivers that do not have excellent visibility can easily cause car accidents. Blind spots often happen in the following places:

• The driver’s windshield pillar
• The side-view mirror
• Interior rear-view mirror

Sometimes, the car's side-view mirrors are not adjusted, and this causes blind spots on the side of the car. The easiest and most cost-effective way to eliminate blind spots is to adjust the mirrors correctly. Pointing the side-view mirrors reduces the risk of causing car accidents due to blind spots on the side of the vehicle. If a driver's inability to see a blind spot caused the car accident, he or she could be liable for damage caused by accident.

Blind spots can cause all types of motor vehicle accidents. Many trucking accidents are caused by a driver's inability to see blind spots properly. Other types of motor vehicle accidents can occur, such as:

• Boating accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Moped Accidents
• E-scooter Accidents
• SUV rollover accidents
• Sideswipe accidents

Remembering to check blind spots while driving is essential in the prevention of car accidents. Checking blind spots will prevent you from unintentionally side-swiping another driver while crossing into his or her lane. The following safety tips can help drivers remember to check their blind spots:

• Be aware of the motorists around your vehicle
• Check side blind spots by checking your mirrors
• Slow down when following a truck to prevent the truck driver from colliding with you
• Watch other drivers for odd behavior to drive defensively

Experienced and new drivers alike can benefit from reminding themselves to check blind spots frequently. New drivers, in particular, should take the time to check all of their blind spots regularly. Young drivers are especially at risk for causing accidents due to failure to check for blind spots. Other risk factors that contribute to blind spot accidents include the following:

• Fatigue
• Intoxication
• Poor vision
• Advanced age
• Driver inexperience
• Driver distraction
• Lack of knowledge regarding the importance of checking for blind spots

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury caused by a driver failing to check for a blind spot, you might be entitled to compensation. North Carolina law recognizes two main types of damages that are available to successful plaintiffs — punitive and compensatory. Courts award compensatory damages in an attempt to return the injured party to the way they were before their injuries. Compensatory damages can include the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Other easily quantifiable costs related to their injury

When the defendant acted willfully or wantonly, the court may award additional punitive damages to punish the defendant. If you have suffered an injury in a car accident, we can help. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC our attorneys have helped many North Carolina clients receive compensation for their injuries. Contact our North Carolina personal injury attorneys to schedule your free initial consultation. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and our new location in Monroe.