A No-Zone refers to a region around a sizable commercial vehicle, like a semi-truck, where the driver’s visibility may be restricted or blocked. These areas can pose risks for other motorists because the truck driver might not see them, potentially leading to accidents.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) introduced the term No-Zone to characterize the zones around a semi-truck where accidents are more likely to happen. These regions are called No-Zones because they are spaces that other drivers should avoid to ensure safety.
It’s important to recognize that the dimensions and position of a No-Zone can differ based on the size and kind of commercial vehicle. For instance, buses and delivery trucks may have distinct No-Zones compared to semi-trucks. Motorists should always stay vigilant about the No-Zones surrounding the vehicles they share the road with and take measures to avoid them.
By comprehending what a No-Zone is and their locations, drivers can take action to remain safe on the road and prevent accidents involving large commercial vehicles. By keeping clear of the No-Zones and allowing trucks ample room, drivers can lower the chances of accidents and encourage safer driving habits.
Where Is a Semi-truck’s No-Zone?
To ensure safety when driving near semi-trucks, it’s crucial to be familiar with the No-Zone’s location. The No-Zone denotes the regions around the truck where the driver’s visibility may be restricted or hindered. There are four primary No-Zones surrounding a semi-truck:
Front No-Zone: The space immediately in front of the truck, where the driver’s sight is blocked by the truck’s hood and the driver’s seat angle.
Rear No-Zone: The area at the back of the truck, where the driver’s sight is obstructed by the truck’s dimensions and the cargo’s height.
Side No-Zones: The regions on both sides of the truck, where the driver’s sight is limited by the truck’s length and the driver’s seat height.
Wide Turns: The zone where the truck requires additional room to execute a turn, potentially causing the truck to encroach on other lanes or the sidewalk.
Being aware of the No-Zones’ locations can aid drivers in evading them and maintaining safety on the road. By maintaining a safe distance from the truck and staying alert to the truck’s movements, drivers can minimize the likelihood of involvement in an accident.
What is the danger associated with driving in a truck’s “No-Zone” area?
Navigating near sizable commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks can be risky, particularly if motorists are unaware of the potential hazards these vehicles present. One of the most notable dangers is the existence of a “No-Zone” region surrounding the truck. The No-Zone is a zone where the truck operator’s visibility may be limited or blocked, making it difficult for them to spot other vehicles on the roadway.
If a motorist enters a No-Zone, they increase the likelihood of being in an accident with the truck. For instance, if a motorist is in the truck’s blind spot, the truck operator might not notice them while switching lanes, resulting in a crash. Likewise, if a motorist tails a truck too closely, they might not have sufficient time to respond if the truck comes to an abrupt halt, causing a rear-end collision.
Beware of Trucks and Wide Turns
One of the riskiest situations for motorists near a semi-truck arises when the truck executes a wide turn. Wide turns demand more room than a standard turn and may cause the truck to encroach on other lanes or the sidewalk. Consequently, drivers who are not attentive to the truck’s movement might unintentionally enter the truck’s No-Zone, leading to an accident.
To ensure safety when sharing the roadway with semi-trucks, drivers should remain alert to the truck’s movements and refrain from entering the wide turn No-Zone. Drivers should also exercise patience and allow the truck ample room to finish the turn securely. It is equally important to avoid overtaking a truck engaged in a wide turn, as this can be highly dangerous.
In addition to being mindful of wide turns, drivers should exercise caution when switching lanes close to a semi-truck. Drivers must never assume that the truck operator can see them and should always confirm their visibility to the truck driver before making a lane change. Drivers should also steer clear of the front, rear, and side No-Zones and maintain a safe distance from the truck while driving.
The Rear No-Zone when Driving Behind Trucks
The area behind a semi-truck, known as the rear No-Zone, is among the most hazardous zones surrounding such vehicles, posing particular risks for motorists following the truck. The rear No-Zone spans about 30 feet behind the truck, and its danger stems from the truck driver’s obstructed view caused by the vehicle’s size and the cargo’s height.
To ensure safety when driving behind a semi-truck, motorists should keep an appropriate following distance and refrain from tailgating. It is advised that drivers maintain a gap of at least one car length per 10 miles per hour of their speed. For instance, a motorist going at 60 miles per hour should ideally stay a minimum of six car lengths away from the truck.
Motorists should also pay attention to the truck’s brake lights and turn signals, being ready to decelerate or come to a full stop if the truck is reducing its speed or preparing to turn. Moreover, it’s crucial to avoid overtaking the truck from the right side, as this area has the poorest visibility for the truck driver.
By remaining vigilant and mindful of the truck’s actions, motorists can minimize the likelihood of accidents while driving behind a semi-truck. By keeping a secure distance and steering clear of the rear No-Zone, drivers can promote safety on the road and contribute to accident prevention.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding and respecting the No-Zone areas around large commercial vehicles such as semi-trucks is essential for ensuring road safety. By being aware of the dangers associated with driving near a semi-truck, including the front, rear, side No-Zones, and wide turns, motorists can minimize the risk of accidents. If you have been involved in a car accident, contact Goodin Abernathy’s car accident attorneys for a free consultation!
In Indiana, in order to legally operate an automobile, and you are required to have a driver’s license. To obtain a driver’s license, you must pass a written driver’s test and pass a road test. These conditions exist throughout the country. Indeed, all states and Washington D.C. require an individual to pass a road test and a written driver’s test before being issued a driver’s license. Thus, may wonder what happenswhen an individual is injured in an accident but the individual does not possess a valid driver’s license.
In short, although operating an automobile without a valid driver’s license is a criminal offense, the absence of a driver’s license does not automatically prohibit an individual from recovering for their injuries. However, in the context of a claim for personal injuries, disagreements often occur over whether the absence of a driver’s license is even admissible evidence. When these disagreements occur, and if left unresolved, a judge is asked to determine whether the jury will be allowed to hear evidence about the absence of a driver’s license. Like many areas in law, an exploration into the facts of an individual matter is usually necessary to assess how a judge is likely to resolve these types of disagreements.
For example, just because a driver does not possess a valid driver’s license at the moment of the accident, it does not necessarily mean a judge will allow a jury to hear this information and it is important to identify whether the individual ever possessed a valid driver’s license at any time in their life and to identify what the driver was doing at the time of the accident. The basic and indisputable purpose of the driver’s license requirement is to certify that the owner of the license has proven they are capable of operating an automobile on public roads in a safe and responsible manner. Therefore, if an individual previously passed a road test and written test, but forgot to renew their license, and is then rear-ended while stopped at a red light, the fact that the individual did not possess a valid license at the time of the accident has little relevance, and is not likely admissible. This is because the individual had previously demonstrated a base understanding of the rules of the road and a base proficiency at operating an automobile and the competence is not in dispute since they were properly stopped at the time of the accident.
On the other hand, if the individual has never possessed a license and has never passed a road test and written test, and is injured in an accident while changing lanes shortly after passing a sign signifying a lane was ending, it is more likely a judge would allow a jury to hear evidence about the absence of a valid license. This is because the same factors that make it necessary for individuals to pass a written and road test (knowledge of right of way practices and warning signs) are the same factors that are associated with the facts of the accident.
If you have questions about how the absence of a valid driver’s license impacts a claim for personal injuries, call one of our experienced lawyers for a free consultation.
The attorneys at Goodin Abernathy LLP handle Wrongful Death claims – fighting to honor the memory of lost loved ones and supporting their dependents as the law allows. Losing a loved one is catastrophic. The physical and emotional void left by a family member’s death feels insurmountable. These emotions don’t even include the financial toll of losing a family’s bread-winner. Money can’t replace someone we love, but as a practical matter, it’s something families need legal help collecting. In Wrongful Death cases, not only do Goodin Abernathy LLP attorneys know we are legally obligated to pursue the fullest extent of damages under the law – we want to fight for them because we care about our clients.
Indiana law allows family members and dependents to recover money as legal damages when their loved one is killed by another’s negligence. “Damages” is a legal term referring to the compensation – normally a sum of money – provided to a person who suffers harm or loss due to the negligence of another. Negligence causing one’s death is commonly known as a “wrongful death” claim.
Here are some things to consider when deciding what to do after losing a loved one to Wrongful Death.
Wrongful Death is a Civil Claim not a Criminal Claim
Wrongful Death refers to deaths that result from the negligent act of an entity or another person. A negligent act does not always mean a crime was committed. Your loved one’s death need not be the result of an intentional criminal act for you to make a Wrongful Death claim. We are experienced handling cases involving both criminal and negligent (civil) claims. Explaining how the criminal and civil laws work is one of the first things we address with grieving families. It’s natural to ask “Why didn’t that driver, who ran the red light, get sent to jail?” Goodin Abernathy’s attorneys evaluate and explain cases clearly. Sometimes cases do not involve criminal acts and we understand families are stunned the at-fault driver is not going to jail. While being honest with our clients, we are also sympathetic to their loss. No question is a dumb one and no feelings are dismissed by us. We take the time to walk our clients through legal explanations because we want them to understand and be comfortable with the process. As regular people, Goodin Abernathy’s attorneys actually care about our clients – then we use our training and experience to provide them with superior legal services.
Was someone driving erratically, causing an accident that killed your loved one? Did your loved one suffer an accident at work resulting in their death? Besides having an Indiana Worker’s Compensation claim, you may also have a wrongful death claim. There is a big, important difference between the two. Because we’ve handled these situations, we’ll explain how we prosecute both legal claims for our clients’ maximum benefit.
I’m Grieving and Don’t Have the Time or Energy to Pursue Legal Action
Losing a loved one is exhausting. It feels like there is a never-ending number of things to take care of and the last thing most people want to consider is a drawn-out legal battle. We get it- just remember two things: 1) In Indiana, the personal representative of the deceased has two (2) years to make a claim. (IC 34-23-1-1); and 2) the longer you wait to engage legal help means the more likely important evidence is lost. You might not feel like you have the time to juggle a lawsuit and find your way after a loss. (futtrading.co.uk) But trust the idea we want to help, and we will make it as easy as possible to connect and communicate with us. When it comes to the legal issues involved with a claim, it’s our job to do the work so you and your family can move forward at the same time.
What Sort of Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Case?
Damages may include medical, hospital, funeral and burial expenses. Damages include the loss of someone’s love and affection. Another big category of damages includes lost income or lost earnings. Under Indiana’s Wrongful Death Statute “recovery of emotional damages is allowed for spouses and dependent children; a decedent’s minor children may recover for loss of parental training and guidance as well as for the loss of their parent’s care.” (TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. v. Moore) “This loss can be determined, in part, from assistance that decedent would have provided through money, services or other marital benefits, but it also includes loss to children of parental training and guidance and loss of love and affection to surviving spouse.” (Southlake Limousine and Coach, Inc. v. Brock)
Wrongful Death cases are complex. The attorneys at Goodin Abernathy LLP are here to help you navigate these difficult times. Unlike a lot of big name advertising firms, our fees are structured for fairness to our clients. Our fees depend on the level of legal work you claim requires. You should not pay one set fee percentage for your case. We will explain how our fee structure works and comfortably answer your questions. Goodin Abernathy LLP gives you the time for decision making – we do not pressure you into signing our fee agreement the first time we meet. In these situations, you deserve an attorney that will walk beside you through the entire process. Contact us, Goodin Abernathy LLP, and see how we set ourselves apart from other attorneys. We know this is an emotional time. Let us help you recoup a sense of security for your family’s future. Call Goodin Abernathy LLP at 317-843-2606 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
We have all seen it, and perhaps even done it ourselves. Driving down the road with a cell phone in our hand. Indiana House Bill 1070 “Distracted Driving,”(read here) passed the House by a vote of 86-10 last week and has been referred to the Indiana Senate. This bill will make it illegal to have a cell phone or other “mobile device” in one’s hand while operating a motor vehicle in Indiana. It modifies the existing law which prohibits texting while driving to include all uses of a mobile device that are not hands free or voice activated. The current law which makes it “unlawful to type, transmit, or read e-mail or text messages on a communication device while driving in Indiana,” has been in effect since July 1, 2011, but has been ineffective in curbing the behavior. This is due primarily, because the existing law as written, is difficult to enforce. This new law could go a long way to prevent distracted driving, and potentially save lives, because it will allow officers to write tickets simply by seeing a person operating a vehicle with a device in their hand, and there will be no requirement that they prove that the operator was actually using the device.
The Indiana Department of Labor defines distracted driving as, “any non-driving activity a motorist engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving. Stressful jobs, busy lifestyles and technology are just a few reasons why individuals may engage in distracted driving activities.” https://www.in.gov/dol/2873.htm
There Are Three Primary Types of Distracted Driving:
Cognitive distraction takes your mind off the road.
Visual distraction takes your eyes off the road.
Manual distraction takes your hands off the wheel.
Texting, or otherwise using a device to search the internet, change a song, look up a contact, or like a Facebook post can be extremely dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction. Your mind is not focused on the road because you are concentrating on your device. Your eyes are also taken away from the road, as are your hands. As we all know, it only takes a second of distraction to cause a crash.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that in 2012, 3,328 people died in crashes linked to driver distraction, and more than 421,000 more people suffered a distracted driving-related injury. In fact, 17 percent of all crashes resulting in an injury involved driver distraction. More recent statistics indicate nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured daily in accidents in which at least one driver was distracted.
Nearly 4,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.
Distracted driving was the reported cause of death of 3,450 people in 2016.
An estimated 391,000 drivers were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2017.
For comparison, there were 39,773 gun deaths in the United States in 2017.
In 2019, distracted driving was a reported factor in 8.5% of fatal motor vehicle crashes. https://www.thezebra.com/distracted-driving-statistics/
If you support this Bill we would encourage you to contact your State Senator and request that they vote in favor of HB 1070,click here.
In lieu of the recent case against Tiger Woods, we thought it would be beneficial to explain the Dram Shop Act. Who is responsible when an accident or injury occurs because of someone being intoxicated?
Federal statistics & data show deaths caused by drunk drivers have dropped significantly in last 30 years, however, the phenomenon still occurs far too frequently.
In Indiana, when a drunk driver injures or kills a person, the bar or person that served the driver might share responsibility for the event. Under what is known as the Dram Shop Act, giving alcohol to a visibly drunk person can cause civil liability.
Now, the bar or person must possess or control the beverage and actually serve the alcohol. In addition, the person serving the alcohol must possess actual knowledge that the recipient was drunk at the time the beverage was provided. So, many times it is important to determine how much alcohol the person drank, over a certain time period as well as whether the person showed signs of intoxication like slurred speech or strange behavior.
If you have questions, an attorney can help sort through the issues to determine if these factors in the Dram Shop Act apply.
Tis’ the season to be… CAUTIOUS! Well on the road that is. Not only does the weather get worse every holiday season around here, but also, many individuals think that it is okay to drink alcoholic beverages before getting on the road. Combine those two and you are practically guaranteed to see or worse experience an accident yourself!
Don’t Break the Law By Drinking and Driving
Beyond already breaking the law, there are some other consequences that people don’t think of till after they get in an accident. Such as, after their treatment at a hospital for drunk driving, the individual will learn that their vehicle has been impounded. That for sure will be more than a pretty penny to get it out of there, we can guarantee you that. There may also be additional charges if the accident caused property damage or injured someone. Then if attorneys, like us, get involved, the intoxicated driver will also have to pay for those property damages and medical bills of the injured.
That being said, it is better to prevent accidents before you start traveling during this holiday season. Believe it or not, the majority of car accidents occur close to the driver’s own homes. This is because individuals typically get over-confident when they’re almost home and think that they know their roads like the back of their hand. This makes them less observant than they normally would be. But let’s be honest, could anyone really describe every detail of their hand without looking at it?
Safety Tips for Your Holiday Travel
It is important to plan carefully before heading to a holiday event this season. Use these recommended safety tips to protect you and your family from an injury this holiday season.
Safety Tip 1: Maintain Your Vehicle
Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition during the winter by having a professional tune-up. Check your tires. If the tread is worn, have them replaced. Before you leave home, verify that you have enough fuel in the vehicle to cope with any detours that you might need to take.
Safety Tip 2: Understand Your Route
We know a lot of you rely on Siri, or your phone in general, to be able to get around anywhere. This is completely understandable but instead of plugging it in and going, try taking a few seconds before heading out to really understand how you are actually getting to your destination. By understanding your route, it will help prevent you from getting lost and allow you to focus on the road rather than your device.
Safety Tip 3: Plan For Extra Travel Time
Sometimes your map’s feature “estimated arrival time” can be a bit off. This is especially true during the holiday season. The roads are typically busier than normal, you never know when an accident may cause a huge traffic jam, and it is even more difficult to find a place to park.
So try leaving 10-15 minutes earlier than you normally would to avoid being late to your holiday events this season. But if you are a bit unlucky on the road and running a bit behind, remember it is better to arrive late at an event than driving too fast, getting in an accident, and instead arriving in the hospital.
Safety Tip 4: Use Your Safety Equipment
Holiday joy and excitement is in the air, which sometimes leads to you forgetting the small things. So make sure to turn on your vehicle’s headlights before dusk, so that other drivers can see you on the road. Keep warm clothes in the car in case of an emergency, and do the same for your passengers. A safe car is a happy car.
Safety Tip 5: Have a Designated Driver
When you travel to a holiday party with a group of friends, have a designated driver who won’t drink any alcoholic beverages. With this safety tip, you will have a sober individual to drive you home from the holiday event to avoid any accidents and get you home safely.
Safety Tip 6: Have a Plan B
Sometimes your Designated Driver forgets they are supposed to be the designated driver. In that event, have a Plan B for an alternate SOBER transportation. Today, it is easy to use a smartphone to contact a Lyft or Uber driver nearby and to take you and your friends home. Plus if you’re riding with others, share the costs through those apps, or others, like Venmo.
Safety Tip 6: Focus On the Road
While traveling throughout the holidays, make sure to focus on the road rather than trying to multi-task on your smartphone, talking to passengers, and listening to music. Instead designate a passenger to tell you where to go so that you can watch the road for any impaired drivers potentially swerving into the wrong lanes or those who are driving without any headlights.
Safety Tip 7: Remain Alert For Pedestrians
Remember that more individuals are also walking during the holiday season, so you must remain alert for pedestrians who are walking along the streets, sidewalks, or crossing a designated or undesignated part of the street. Keep in mind, some of these pedestrians may be inebriated and may not make the most sound decisions. Lastly, just because it is winter, does not mean that there are not still some bikers out there. Always keep a lookout for cyclists, and remember, give them 3 feet when you pass.
Call For Assistance
If you are injured in an accident caused by a drunk or impaired driver, contact an attorney right away for a free legal consultation.
