Passenger and commercial vehicles all have blind spots, which are areas that are difficult to see just by looking out the window. If another vehicle is in your blind spot, you might not see it until after you decide to make a lane change or a left turn. There are a number of factors that California law takes into consideration when determining fault in this type of crash.
Elements of negligence
To be liable for a car crash, it must be shown that either you or the other driver engaged in negligent behavior. For instance, you may be liable for the crash if you failed to look before making a lane change or failed to signal your intent to do so. You may also be negligent for other reasons such as the fact that you were impaired when the wreck happened.
Don’t trust your blind spot monitor
Newer vehicles often come equipped with a blind spot detection system that alerts you to the presence of other cars near you. However, it’s possible that such a system will fail to detect an object or will otherwise malfunction. In most motor vehicle accident cases, blaming technology for your mistake is not a successful defense.
Minimizing blind spot wrecks
You can minimize your risk of colliding with objects in your blind spots by constantly scanning the road. If you notice that there are fewer cars in your line of vision, it may be because one or more of them have changed lanes, slowed down or taken other actions to put themselves directly beside your car. You should also wait several seconds before making a lane change to give any vehicles in your blind spot a chance to make their presence known.
If you are hurt in a crash caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Witness statements, a police report or other evidence may be used to prove that another party was liable for your wreck. In California, you typically have two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit.
