Blind spot accidents happen when a driver moves into a space they cannot see and strikes another vehicle, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian. These crashes are among the most common on Missouri roads, and they happen to careful drivers every day through no fault of their own.
Determining who is at fault is not always straightforward. Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule means more than one party can share responsibility, and insurance companies often try to argue that the victim was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Where Are Blind Spots on Cars and Trucks?
Every vehicle has blind spots, but their size depends on the type of vehicle. A passenger car has relatively small blind spots along the rear quarter panels on both sides. A large commercial truck, on the other hand, has massive blind zones on all four sides, often called “no-zones.”
| Vehicle Type | Main Blind Spot Locations | Approximate Size |
| Passenger Car | Rear quarter panels, both sides | A few feet |
| SUV or Pickup | Rear sides and directly behind | Slightly larger than a car |
| Semi-Truck | Front, rear, left side, right side | Up to 20 feet in front, 30+ feet behind, two lanes wide on the right |
The right side of a semi-truck is the most dangerous no-zone. If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
Types of Blind Spot Crashes in Missouri
Blind spot failures lead to several recognizable crash patterns on Missouri roads. Knowing what these look like can help you understand what happened in your accident.
Sideswipes and Improper Lane Changes
A sideswipe occurs when a driver merges or changes lanes into a vehicle already alongside them. This is the most common blind spot crash. It often occurs on Missouri highways such as I-70 and I-44, where drivers change lanes at high speed without fully checking their surroundings.
Right Turn Squeeze Crashes
A right turn squeeze happens when a large truck swings left to make a right turn and crushes a smaller vehicle on its right side. Drivers near trucks at intersections in cities like St. Louis and Kansas City are especially vulnerable to this.
Rear, Front, and Underride Impacts
Other blind spot crashes include:
- Rear-end collisions: A driver backs up without seeing a vehicle behind them.
- Front-end impacts: A truck driver in a high cab cannot see a low-profile car directly in front of them.
- Underride accidents: A car slides beneath a truck trailer during a collision, potentially causing catastrophic injuries.
Why Blind Spot Crashes Happen
Most blind spot accidents trace back to one root cause: a driver moved without confirming it was safe to do so.
Driver Error and Missed Mirror Checks
The most common reason is simply not looking. A driver may fail to turn their head, skip checking their mirrors, or glance too quickly before moving. Distraction, fatigue, and impairment all make this more likely.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Merging
Many crashes occur because a driver signals too late, fails to signal, or merges without leaving enough room. Commercial drivers are trained to know their no-zones, which means failing to account for them carries significant legal weight.
Weather, Vehicle Design, and Tech Limits
Some factors make blind spots even harder to manage:
- Weather: Rain, fog, and snow are common in Missouri reduce what drivers can see in their mirrors.
- Vehicle design: Thick roof pillars built for rollover protection can create larger blind areas in certain vehicles.
- Technology limits: Blind spot monitoring systems help, but they do not replace the driver’s responsibility to look. Broken or poorly adjusted mirrors also increase risk.
Who Is at Fault Under Missouri Law?
Missouri is an at-fault state. This means the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying for your injuries and losses. However, fault is not always assigned to just one person.
Missouri follows a rule called pure comparative fault. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the crash. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 36% at fault for traveling in a truck’s no-zone, you can still recover $64,000.
Several parties may share responsibility for a blind spot accident:
- The other driver: For failing to check their blind spot before moving.
- A trucking company: For poor training, unrealistic schedules, or negligent hiring.
- A maintenance contractor: For failing to repair mirrors or cameras.
- A cargo loading company: For unbalanced loads that affect how a truck handles.
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer: If a defective mirror or blind spot monitor contributed to the crash.
Our skilled Missouri auto accident attorneys investigate every angle of your case to make sure every responsible party is identified. Trucking companies and their insurers often have far larger policies than individual drivers, and holding them accountable can make a real difference in what you recover.
How to Prove a Blind Spot Accident Claim
Insurance companies often argue that the smaller vehicle is at fault for being in the blind spot. That makes gathering solid evidence right away one of the most important things you can do.
Evidence to Preserve Right Away
If you are able to at the scene, try to collect:
- Photos of the crash, vehicle positions, and all visible damage
- The official police report number and officer’s name
- Names and contact information for every witness
- Your own medical records starting from the day of the crash
- Any dashcam footage from your vehicle or nearby drivers
EDR Data, ELDs, and Surveillance Footage
Modern vehicles store data in an Event Data Recorder, or EDR. Think of it like a car’s black box. It records speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments before a crash. Commercial trucks use an Electronic Logging Device, or ELD, which tracks hours of service and vehicle speed.
This data can disappear quickly. Trucking companies often overwrite ELD and dashcam footage within 30 days. As soon as we take your case, we send a spoliation letter. A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice that requires the other party to preserve all evidence related to your accident.
Blind Spot Monitors and Mirror Standards
Federal law under 49 CFR Section 393.80 requires commercial trucks to have mirrors that meet specific visibility standards. If a truck were operating with broken or non-compliant mirrors, that is evidence of negligence. Newer vehicles also log when blind spot warning systems are triggered, and a driver who ignores that warning may have a harder time arguing they acted responsibly.
What Damages Can You Recover in Missouri?
Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for both the financial costs and the personal impact of your injuries. These fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic and Non-Economic Losses
- Medical expenses: Past and future costs for emergency care, surgery, therapy, and medical equipment.
- Lost wages: Income you missed during recovery and any long-term reduction in your ability to earn.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other damaged belongings.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways your injuries have changed your daily life.
- Wrongful death damages: If you lost a family member, surviving loved ones may be able to file a claim for their losses.
We also help coordinate Medical Payments coverage, known as MedPay, which is an optional part of your auto insurance that pays medical bills regardless of fault. We work to reduce any medical liens against your settlement so you keep as much of your recovery as possible.
What to Do After a Blind Spot Crash in Missouri
Taking the right steps after a crash protects both your health and your legal rights.
- Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel fine.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries.
- Get the other driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
- Contact a Missouri car accident lawyer before signing anything.
Acting quickly also protects your ability to file a claim before legal deadlines pass.
How Long Do You Have to File in Missouri?
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Missouri Revised StatutesSection 516.120. Wrongful death claims carry a shorter deadline of three years under Missouri Revised StatutesSection 537.100.
Missing the deadline means losing your right to recover anything at all. The sooner you reach out, the more time we have to build the strongest possible case for you.
Talk to Our Missouri Car Accident Lawyers for Free
At Beck and Beck, Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we are a family-run firm specializing exclusively in Missouri auto accident law. We help accident victims across Missouri pursue the compensation they deserve.
We handle the insurance companies, the paperwork, and the legal process so you can focus on healing. Consultations are always free, we are available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Reach out today and let us fight for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You at Fault If You Hit Someone in Your Blind Spot in Missouri?
You may be found partially at fault, but Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule means you can still recover compensation even if you share some of the blame. The other driver’s actions and your percentage of fault both factor into what you can recover.
Is Missouri a No-Fault State for Blind Spot Accidents?
No, Missouri is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying for the resulting damages, not your own insurer.
What If Both Drivers Changed Lanes at the Same Time?
Fault is divided based on each driver’s percentage of responsibility. You can still recover compensation under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, but your award will be reduced by your share of the blame.
Does Blind Spot Monitoring Technology Remove a Driver’s Legal Responsibility?
No. A driver is still legally required to check their surroundings before moving, regardless of what technology their vehicle has. Ignoring a blind spot warning can actually be used as evidence against them in your claim.
How Quickly Should a Spoliation Letter Be Sent After a Truck Accident?
It should be sent within days of the crash. Trucking companies routinely overwrite electronic data within 30 days, so we send a spoliation letter as soon as we are hired to make sure that evidence is preserved.
