What Are a Truck’s Blind Spots and How to Stay Safe?

January 15, 2026 Posted In Motorcycle Accidents,Truck Accidents

Large trucks create serious visibility challenges for both truck drivers and nearby motorists. Understanding where a truck’s blind spots are and how to avoid them can significantly reduce the risk of devastating accidents.

What Are Truck Blind Spots?

Truck blind spots, often called “no-zones,” are areas around a commercial truck where the driver has limited or no visibility. Because of a truck’s size, height, and trailer length, mirrors cannot fully eliminate these hidden zones. The primary blind spots around a truck include:

Front blind spot: Directly in front of the cab, extending several feet forward, where smaller vehicles disappear below the driver’s line of sight.
Rear blind spot: A large area directly behind the trailer, where mirrors provide little to no visibility.
Left-side blind spot: Along the driver’s side, especially toward the rear of the cab and trailer.
Right-side blind spot: The largest and most dangerous blind spot, extending multiple lanes to the right of the truck.

The right-side blind spot causes a significant number of sideswipe and lane-change collisions.

Why Truck Blind Spots Are So Dangerous

Commercial trucks weigh far more than passenger vehicles and require longer stopping distances. When a car or motorcycle enters a blind spot, the truck driver may change lanes, turn, or brake without realizing another vehicle is present. Blind spot crashes often lead to:

Severe side-impact collisions
Vehicles being pushed into other lanes or barriers
Rollovers or underride accidents
Catastrophic injuries or fatalities

Motorcyclists and smaller vehicles face the greatest risk because they are easier to overlook and offer little protection during impact.

How to Stay Safe Around Truck Blind Spots

You can reduce your risk of a blind spot accident by driving defensively and giving trucks extra space. For example:

Avoid lingering alongside a truck, especially on the right side.
Pass trucks decisively and do not cruise next to the trailer.
Stay far enough back so you can see the truck’s side mirrors.
Never cut in front of a truck with minimal space.
Give trucks extra room when they signal or begin changing lanes.

If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, assume they cannot see you.

Tips for Motorcyclists Near Large Trucks

Motorcyclists face unique dangers near trucks due to their smaller profile and vulnerability. Motorcycle-specific safety tips include:

Stay visible and avoid blind spot zones entirely.
Position yourself where mirrors are most effective.
Anticipate wide turns and sudden lane shifts.
Increase following distance to allow reaction time.

Even minor contact between a truck and a motorcycle can cause severe injuries.

Common Situations Where Blind Spot Accidents Happen

Truck blind spot accidents frequently occur during routine driving maneuvers rather than extreme behavior. High-risk situations include:

Lane changes on highways
Merging onto freeways
Right turns at intersections
Stop-and-go traffic where vehicles shift lanes frequently
Passing a truck too slowly

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Blind Spot Accident

If a blind spot collision occurs, seek medical attention immediately and document the scene as thoroughly as possible. Photographs, witness information, and police reports can play a critical role in demonstrating how the crash happened and proving fault.

Truck blind spot accidents often involve liability disputes, multiple insurance policies, and require detailed investigations. These cases are rarely straightforward and claimants often benefit greatly from legal guidance.