Are Truckers Liable for Blind Spot Accidents in Texas?

 Posted on May 19, 2026 in Truck accidents

Sharing the road with an 18-wheeler is not like sharing it with another car. Loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and have massive blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. These blind spots are often addressed by written warnings on the sides and rear of semi-trucks because they pose such a significant hazard to other drivers.

When a car in one of these blind spots is struck by a commercial truck, is the driver of the car or the truck at fault? A San Marcos, TX truck accident attorney can answer this and other questions about your 2026 accident case.

What Blind Spots Do Commercial Trucks Have?

Passenger car drivers are used to glancing in a mirror and seeing a majority of what's around them. This is not the case in large trucks. Commercial trucks have four significant blind spots  (sometimes called "no-zones") where the driver has little to no visibility. These are typically:

• Directly in front of the cab, extending about 20 feet

• Directly behind the trailer, extending up to 30 feet

• Along the right side of the truck, spanning multiple lanes

• Along the left side of the cab and trailer, closer to the driver's door

The right-side blind spot is particularly dangerous because it's the largest. A vehicle traveling alongside a truck in that zone can be completely invisible to the driver. 

When Is a Truck Driver at Fault for a Wreck Involving a Blind Spot?

Truck drivers have a professional and legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely. That includes taking steps to manage their blind spots before changing lanes, merging, or making wide turns. A truck driver may be liable for a blind spot accident if they failed to do something like check their mirrors or use a signal before they change lanes. As much as possible, they should also account for vehicles that may be near them when making wide right turns.

Serious safety risks and related liability can happen if the driver is distracted or traveling at unsafe speeds. While truck drivers can’t perfectly account for the risks their blind spots pose to other cars, they have much more control over how focused they are on the task at hand and how safely they are handling their vehicles.

Shared Fault

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. This means that even if you're found to be partially at fault – for example, if you lingered too long in a known blind spot – you can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault doesn't exceed 50 percent. However, your damages would be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Semi-Truck Blind Spot Accident Besides the Truck Driver?

Commercial trucking involves layers of parties, and more than one of them may share responsibility for your injuries.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing proper training, and maintaining their fleets. If a company cuts corners on any of these, it may be liable alongside the driver. Additionally, under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers can be held responsible for the negligent acts of their employees while on the job.

The Truck Owner or Leasing Company

Not every driver owns the truck they operate. If the truck was leased or owned by a third party that failed to maintain equipment like mirrors, cameras, or warning systems, that party may share liability.

Equipment Manufacturers

If a defective mirror, camera system, or blind spot detection device contributed to the crash, the manufacturer of that equipment could be brought into the claim.

Building a complete picture of liability takes a thorough investigation. It’s best to start this early, before evidence disappears and electronic logging data gets overwritten.

Call a Comal County, TX Truck Accident Attorney Today

Our San Marcos truck accident lawyers have 25 years of experience handling complex commercial vehicle cases and have recovered millions for clients injured in truck accidents. We keep our caseload intentionally low so you'll have direct, regular contact with the attorney handling your case. You will never be just a number here. We offer free consultations and bring both aggressive advocacy and genuine compassion to every case. Call The Bettersworth Law Firm at 830-606-0404 to schedule today.