Know the “No Zones”: How Blind Spots Increase Kentucky Truck Accident Risks
Commercial trucks are a constant presence on Kentucky highways. When sharing the road with them, be aware of potential risks.
Large blind spots around tractor-trailers and other big rigs pose a major threat, increasing the likelihood of crashes. Known as “no zones”, our experienced Madisonville truck accident lawyer explains where they are, what makes them so dangerous, and how to protect your rights to compensation.
Truck Blind Spots Pose Hazards for Kentucky Motorists
Experienced motorists know to double-check their blind spots when switching lanes or making turns. These are along the side of the vehicle, where other drivers disappear from view. 18-wheelers and other big rigs have blind spots as well, but they are significantly larger, surrounding both the cab and the trailer, and can put motorists in nearby lanes at risk.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns that truck blind spots, known as “no zones”, are a common cause of truck accidents in Kentucky and throughout the U.S. No zones are located:
- Directly in front of the cab, extending approximately 20 feet ahead, where the height of the cab prevents the driver from seeing vehicles that are too close.
- Directly behind the trailer, extending up to 30 feet, where no mirrors can capture vehicles following too closely.
- Along the left side of the truck, running from the cab back to the middle of the trailer, a zone where smaller vehicles can disappear from view entirely.
- Along the right side of the truck, which is the biggest and most dangerous blind spot, extends from the cab across two full lanes of traffic.
A simple rule of thumb applies to every one of these zones: if you cannot see the truck driver’s face in their mirrors, they cannot see you.
How Truck Blind Spots Cause Truck Accidents in Kentucky
The Kentucky State Police report that truck crashes cause serious injuries for nearly 11,000 people each year. Traveling in a truck’s no-zone significantly increases the risks. Common ways these crashes happen include:
- When truck drivers change lanes and force other drivers off the road or into other vehicles.
- When a truck merges onto a highway and causes a sideswipe collision.
- When a driver slams on their brakes, they can cause potentially devastating underride collisions.
- When a vehicle traveling in the front blind spot suddenly slows, it can cause a rear-end collision and often life-threatening injuries.
If a Kentucky no-zone truck accident happens, get legal help right away. It is the truck driver’s responsibility to check blind spots, but trucking companies and insurers often claim motorists are at least partly at fault.
Contact Our Experienced Madisonville Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck no zones pose serious risks to motorists and are a common cause of truck accidents in Kentucky. At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, our experienced Madisonville truck accident lawyer represents you in dealing with trucking companies and insurers, and gathers the evidence needed to prove the truck driver was negligent. To request a consultation. We proudly serve clients in Madisonville, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/lang/USDOT_OROR_Inforgraphic_1170x612-Truck_V17ai.pdf
wp.kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-FY2025-Crash-Facts.pdf
