Hazardous situations can occur when a truck driver, motorist, government negligence or a natural occurrence causes a visual obstruction to motorists, which can lead to a collision. Because good visibility is necessary for a motorist to drive safely, a visual obstruction becomes a real danger. Visual obstructions have even been responsible for multiple-vehicle pileups. However, in many of the accidents of these types, the injured party may claim fair compensation. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can tell you whether or not you have a case.
David Azizi – Trucking Lawyer When Visual Obstructions Cause Injuries
Big rig accident lawyer David Azizi uses his investigative techniques and dogged determination to protect his clients’ rights so that they can obtain the compensation they deserve when they’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in an accident. Strong evidence is needed to prove that the other party caused the accident injury, and David gathers all the data to build a strong case for his clients. This includes talking to witnesses, checking the police report for inaccuracies and obtaining video footage of the collision from nearby traffic cameras and businesses.
After negligence by the at-fault party has been established, he uses his vast knowledge of the law and expertise to build a strong case in your favor. David is comfortable either dealing with the insurance company on your behalf or in preparing a case to present in civil court. He goes the extra mile to help his clients obtain the damages they need to cover their medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages. Call David today at (800) 991-5292 for a free case review and to have your questions answered. David will review your case, give you an estimate of how much you might be able to recover and tell you what options are available to you.
Passing on a Two-Lane Road
Most motorists have experienced traveling along a two-lane road and being slowed down by a slow-moving vehicle in front of them. Because the road is a two-lane, caution must be used when passing to make sure the lane coming toward the driver is clear. Otherwise, a head-on collision might occur, and passing vehicles are usually traveling at a higher speed in order to pass the slow vehicle and get back into the lane quickly. If the driver has an obstructed view because there is a big rig slowing the traffic, it can be risky to attempt to pass.
Road Glare
Glare that can obstruct a motorist’s vision can occur from the sun, a reflection off the side of a big rig, bright headlights at night or for other reasons. All motorists have experienced driving toward the sun in the later part of the afternoon when it is difficult to see clearly. Lowering the visor helps in some instances but not in all. Some motorists slow down when glare is interfering with their vision, but this presents its own challenges because their vehicle may end up being rear-ended. The problem is that road glare is no excuse for being involved in an accident, and a driver whose vision is momentarily interrupted may be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.
Obstructed Intersections
Intersections account for around 40 percent of all traffic collisions, and visual obstruction is a major cause. In part, a vehicle that is blocking the view of another motorist can lead to a serious accident if that driver takes the risk of going forward or turning without being able to see if another vehicle is in its path. In other instances, lack of maintenance or poor road design may be responsible for a visual obstruction. Poorly placed signs, overhanging tree limbs, overgrown foliage and other problems may prevent a motorist from having a clear line of sight.
When accidents occur at intersections due to government negligence, whether the upkeep is the responsibility of the city, county, state or federal government, the injured party may seek financial compensation for their injuries or the loss of a loved one. Because the timeline for filing a claim against a government entity is much shorter than other personal injury claims, it is important to have an experienced lawyer to ensure that filings are made on time and correctly in order to claim damages. A claim that is filed after the statute of limitations has expired will probably not be heard.
Not Paying Attention to the No-Zone
Most people are familiar with the no-zones on a tractor-trailer. These are the areas in front and back and on both sides where the driver of the big rig cannot see other vehicles. When a passenger vehicle cuts a big rig off, tailgates or lingers while driving along by its side, the truck driver may not realize the vehicle is there, and this can lead to an accident. Some drivers of passenger vehicles may not realize that a big rig does not have a rear-view mirror because it would be obstructed by the trailer being pulled. This means the driver has to depend on the side mirrors to see the surrounding traffic.
A truck driver cannot see 20 feet in front of the vehicle or for about 30 feet behind it. In addition, the lane to the left is obscured to about halfway back from the trailer. Traveling on the right-hand side of a big rig is even more dangerous because the truck driver cannot see across two lanes to the right, and the distance the driver has their vision obstructed is well beyond the end of the trailer. Passenger vehicles also have problems with visual obstruction. These problems can be caused by items hanging from the rearview mirror, the side support pillars on a car or a passenger in the seat.
Debris in the Roadway
The National Safety Council reported that around 30,000 people died in 2017 due to collisions. The number of people injured badly enough to need medical attention was estimated at around 4.57 million. Around 50,000 of those yearly accidents involved road debris from mattresses falling off pickup trucks to large pieces of metal or concrete coming loose from a tractor-trailer.
Farm Equipment
Farm equipment on the roadway presents a danger because of their slow speeds and because they may be coming out onto the roadway from a side road. If this occurs just over a hill, the driver may not see the tractor, combine or other piece of equipment until it is too late to prevent a collision.
Detours
Detours present their own problems because the driver may have difficulty negotiating the signs and barriers, which can cause visual obstructions. Because this may add to the confusion of driving on an unfamiliar road, it can lead to accidents.
Free Case Review with an LA Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer for Visual Obstruction Crashes
Super Lawyers, the legal ranking firm, consistently calls David year after year one of the top personal injury lawyers in the Los Angeles area. His legal expertise, compassion and doggedness to help his clients has helped him win 98 percent of his cases. For your free consultation, call David today at (800) 991-5292 to see how he can help you.
