When it comes to buses and large trucks, the driver’s sight is key to safety. Unfortunately, large vehicles often have more blind spots than other vehicles. Due to their size and design, it may be harder for the drivers to respond to changes and avoid hazards at certain angles.
However, some people believe that vehicle manufacturers could reduce blind spots to improve safety. Recently, a transit union in Lancaster stated that the design of local buses puts pedestrians at risk. According to the union, the placement of the side mirrors created blind spots at crucial angles, blocking view of crosswalks and common areas where pedestrians may be. The union claims that this problem contributed to an accident that injured a woman.
While it is unclear whether the manufacturer of the bus would be liable for the woman’s injuries, it is possible for manufacturers to share fault in a crash. If the manufacturer’s design contained hazardous flaws, or if they sold a defective vehicle, they may be fully or partially liable for an accident.
However, the victim would have to prove that the vehicle was dangerous and that the flaws or defects directly contributed to the crash. This can be a difficult task that requires the help of a lawyer in a personal injury lawsuit. For victims with serious injuries, such as the pedestrian in this case, a lawsuit against the manufacturer or the driver’s employer may be worth the effort.
Many large vehicles have blind spots, and the driver is typically responsible for checking them as necessary. While other drivers and pedestrians can avoid those blind spots to stay as visible as possible, they would not be able to control the truck or bus driver’s actions.