Accidents that result from drivers failing to check their blind spots are among the most dangerous types of car accidents, often leading to catastrophic injuries like head-on collisions that eject occupants and leave them with life-altering injuries.

Blind spot accidents not only pose risks to drivers but can also pose hazards to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on roadways. Here is what you need to know about these hazardous roadway hazards.

1. They Obstruct Your View of Other Vehicles and Objects

Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that the driver cannot easily see through their mirrors. Longer wheelbases, taller roofs or curved rear rooflines may create more blind zones than smaller vehicles with more vertical side glass or roof pillars.

Drivers must estimate the size and shape of their vehicle’s blind spots in order to estimate safe distance and location when approaching it. Any miscalculation could result in an accident.

Regular shoulder checks in combination with mirror usage can significantly decrease blind spots. Drivers must always signal when changing lanes or turning, to make other motorists aware of their intentions – failure to do so could result in serious accidents such as sideswipes and T-bone collisions.

2. They Can Hide Other Vehicles or Objects

Car blind spots can be caused by many different factors, including its structure such as front- and rear-pillars. Furthermore, headrests and cargo may hinder visibility through windows or rear view mirrors.

Drivers must use mirrors and turn their heads to inspect blind spots when changing lanes or making turns, but doing so may take their focus off of the road and lead them to miss hazards.

Example: A truck driver might miss seeing a small sedan that suddenly merges into their lane due to blind spots on their truck – this could result in an unforeseen collision, while pedestrians and motorcyclists often remain undetected here, creating additional danger and leading to more severe accidents than otherwise anticipated.

3. They Can Lead to Lane Changes or Turns Without Proper Signaling

As you drive, it is natural to focus on the road ahead. But sometimes you must check behind and beside your vehicle before making a turn or other maneuver to ensure all is clear in your surroundings. Failing to do so could result in serious collisions between pedestrians and other drivers on the road.

For instance, if you change lanes and strike another vehicle lingering in your blind spot while changing lanes, they could hold you liable. To prevent this scenario from occurring, always double check your mirrors before looking over your shoulder in the direction you plan to travel. Also use your turn signal early so other drivers have time to respond accordingly.

4. They Can Lead to Sideswipe Collisions

Drivers tend to focus on driving directly ahead, forgetting to look behind and on either side of their vehicle before changing lanes or turning. This can be particularly hazardous at roundabouts, T-junctions and other traffic-heavy locations where it is especially crucial that all cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity be checked before making changes or turning.

Drivers may fail to properly inspect blind spots if they’re distracted by music, eating or performing other tasks; such inattention could lead to an accidental side-swipe collision with another vehicle and its passengers.

In general, drivers who fail to check their blind spots are held liable for accidents caused by them; however, New Hampshire is a fault-based state so other parties may also share in some responsibility.

5. They Can Lead to Serious Injuries

While blind spot accidents typically result in minor fender benders, these collisions may also result in serious injuries for drivers involved. When this occurs, those involved may pursue a personal injury claim against the offending party.

Trucks, buses and RVs tend to have larger blind spots than passenger cars do, making it harder for their drivers to see other road users behind them. When drivers fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes or making turns, this can result in collisions with another vehicle or pedestrians.

Blind spot accidents frequently happen when drivers back out of driveways or parking spots, often running over pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists who were within their vehicle’s rear blind spot.