When an accident occurs that involves a truck, for some reason people tend to assume that the truck driver was at fault. This may be because trucks have many high risks associated with them due to their heavy load and sheer force.

In addition to the difficulty of driving a truck, truck drivers and other commercial drivers are held to an extremely high standard when it comes to their training and the law. However, just because a truck was involved in an accident does not mean that the truck driver was at fault.

Accidents involving a truck can occur for many different reasons, and unfortunately they are usually more serious when driving at high speeds on highways. Even the most skilled and responsible truck drivers can be involved in accidents when other vehicles are behaving dangerously.

The following are some examples of times when a passenger vehicle driver may be at fault for a truck accident.

Driving in “no-zones”

All passenger vehicle drivers should know how to drive safely near commercial trucks. They should make sure to avoid the “no-zones,” which are the areas directly behind, in front of and next to the truck, since the truck driver will not be able to see them.

Passing or changing lanes unsafely

When a driver makes an unsafe pass or changes lanes without warning directly in front of a truck, it can be impossible for a truck driver to avoid a collision. Therefore it is likely that the passenger vehicle driver will be determined to be at fault.

If you have been in an accident as a truck driver, it is important to make sure that you get a fair outcome when a claim is made.

If a crash is caused due to a blind spot, who is at fault?

Fault after a truck crash is assigned depending on many factors. If the passenger vehicle was inappropriately driving in a “no-zone”, it is possible that they will be considered at fault.

If you were involved in an accident as a truck driver, it is important that you understand how fault is assigned in the state of Virginia.