Illinois Accident Law Firm Advocates for Those Injured in 18-Wheeler Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 4,136 people died in accidents involving large commercial trucks in 2018. Sixteen percent of these fatalities were truck occupants, 67 percent were occupants of passenger cars, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
To combat these grim statistics, trucking companies are continually adding new safety features to their fleets to lower the risk of crashes. One of these features is blind spot detection (BSD) systems.
What is Blind Spot Monitoring?
Commercial vehicles have large blind spots along both sides and the rear of the truck and when a car remains for more than a few seconds in these no-zones, the truck driver may not be aware of its presence.
Blind spot detection systems use ultrasonic sensors or radar technology to detect vehicles in or approaching a trucker’s blind spot, up to 75 feet behind a trailer. If a vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian is detected in a no-zone, the system will issue a visual, audible, vibrating, or tactile warning to alert the truck driver of potential danger. Some blind spot monitors also include “Cross Traffic Alert,” which alerts drivers backing up when traffic is approaching from either side.
According to Consumer Reports, 82 percent of the truck drivers equipped with blind spot detection systems report being very satisfied with them, and 60 percent say the system helped them avoid an accident.
Contact an Elgin, IL Personal Injury Lawyer
Did you sustain severe injuries due to an accident involving an 18-wheeler truck? Contact the Elgin, IL accident attorneys at Kelly Law Offices, LLC online or call 1-800-859-8800 and schedule your free initial consultation with a qualified lawyer today.
