Blind Spot Truck Accident In Michigan: What To Do

In Michigan, a blind spot truck accident happens when a commercial semi driver — moving through one of the vehicle’s FMCSA-designated “No-Zones” — changes lanes, merges, or turns without seeing a smaller vehicle beside or behind it. These crashes are especially dangerous because of the size and weight difference between a semi and a passenger vehicle, and they often involve disputed fault, complex evidence, and serious injury or death. After a blind spot truck accident in Michigan, get medical care, call the police, notify your insurer, and speak with an experienced lawyer right away.

Hiring an experienced lawyer early matters because blind spot truck accident cases are not ordinary car crash claims. A Michigan blind spot truck accident lawyer who specializes in this area can move fast to preserve black box data, driver logs, dashcam footage, maintenance records, and other evidence, while identifying every liable party and protecting you from insurance tactics that can weaken your case.

Michigan Auto Law is the right choice for a blind spot truck accident because it is the only law firm in Michigan 100% specialized in auto crashes. The firm offers free consultations, no-fee-unless-we-win representation, more than 3,500 5-Star Reviews, and a Tier 1 Best Law Firm ranking in Personal Injury Litigation.  

Where Are a Truck’s Blind Spots?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies four major “No-Zones” (blind spots) around a semi truck where the driver has little or no visibility of surrounding vehicles:

• Front no-zone: extends about 20 feet in front of the cab
• Rear no-zone: extends about 30 feet behind the trailer
• Left-side no-zone: runs roughly one lane wide, back to mid-trailer
• Right-side no-zone: the largest zone, spanning two lanes along the trailer

A vehicle traveling in any of these areas may be effectively invisible to the commercial semi driver, even with properly adjusted mirrors. If a driver cannot see the vehicle’s side mirrors, the commercial semi driver cannot see them.

What Is a Blind Spot Truck Accident? 

Because tractor-trailers have much larger blind spots than passenger vehicles, a blind spot truck accident may involve a sideswipe, a forced-off-the-road crash, an underride, or a chain-reaction collision — most often when a commercial semi driver fails to check mirrors, signal, allow enough clearance, or confirm the path is clear before moving.

How Do Blind Spot Truck Accidents Occur in Michigan?

Blind spot truck accidents in Michigan are especially common on highways, entrance ramps, and busy multi-lane roads.

Common Blind Spot Truck Accident Scenarios in Michigan

• Lane changes and merges: driver fails to see a car in the side no-zone
• Wide right turns: semi swings left first, trapping vehicles against the curb
• Rear-end and underride crashes: tailgating puts a vehicle in the rear no-zone

Each of these is made more dangerous by traffic congestion, poor weather, darkness, driver fatigue, distraction, or speed — and by the simple fact that a commercial semi’s blind spots are far larger than a passenger vehicle’s.

What Evidence Is Important In A Blind Spot Truck Accident Case In Michigan?

• Black box data: the semi’s ECM records speed, braking, and lane changes
• Driver logs: hours of service records showing fatigue or scheduling violations
• Dashcam footage: semi, traffic camera, or bystander video of the crash
• Maintenance records: history of mirror, sensor, and equipment repairs
• Police report: official documentation of the scene, parties, and initial findings
• Witness statements: independent accounts of the semi’s lane change or turn

This evidence is often time-sensitive — electronic logging data and dashcam footage can be overwritten or deleted within days, which is why contacting a lawyer quickly matters in a blind spot truck accident case.

What To Do After a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Michigan

What you do after a blind spot truck accident can affect both your health and your legal claim. The priority is to get medical care, report the crash, preserve evidence, and avoid mistakes that can make it harder to recover compensation. Here are the most important steps:

• Get medical attention right away. Even if you feel only sore or shaken up, injuries are often far more serious than they first appear. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates medical records that tie your injuries to the blind spot truck accident.
• Call the police and get a report on file. A blind spot accident with a semi truck must be documented by law enforcement so there is an official record of what happened, who was involved, and what the scene looked like when officers arrived.
• Photograph and video the scene. If you are physically able and it is safe, photograph the vehicles, damage, lane markings, debris, road conditions, skid marks, weather, the tranportation company markings, trailer number, license plate, and any nearby traffic cameras or witnesses.
• Get the truck driver’s and trucking company’s information. Obtain the driver’s name, employer, insurance information, USDOT number, MC number if available, and any identifying information on the tractor and trailer.
• Talk to witnesses and get their contact information. Independent witnesses can be critical in a crash. They may be able to describe the truck’s lane change, merge, turn, signaling, or speed before the collision.
• Do not admit fault or guess about what happened. Fault is complicated, and what you say at the scene can be used against you. Stick to the basic facts. Do not apologize or speculate.
• Notify your auto insurer promptly. Michigan’s No-Fault system means your own insurer may be responsible for important benefits, so timely notice matters even if the truck driver clearly caused the blind spot accident.
• Preserve everything related to the crash. Keep your medical records, discharge papers, bills, repair estimates, and photographs. Do not delete photos, text messages, or other evidence connected to the accident.
• Be careful with the trucking company’s insurer. Adjusters may contact you quickly and try to get a recorded statement or push for an early settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known.
• Talk with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can move quickly to preserve black box data, driver logs, dashcam footage, maintenance records, dispatch information, and other evidence that can be critical in a Michigan blind spot truck accident case.

Is It Automatically My Fault If I’m Hit While Driving in a Truck’s Blind Spot?

No. Driving in a truck’s blind spot does not automatically make you at fault for an accident in Michigan. Commercial semi drivers have a legal duty to check their mirrors and confirm a lane change, merge, or turn is safe before moving — regardless of whether a smaller vehicle is in a no-zone. Fault depends on the specific facts of the crash, not simply on where your vehicle was positioned.

• Truck driver fault: failing to check mirrors, signal, or confirm clearance
• Trucking company fault: broken mirrors, poor maintenance, or inadequate training
• Shared fault: if you made an unsafe move or lingered in a no-zone

Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system. If you are found 50% or less at fault, your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering pain and suffering compensation, though you may still recover a reduced amount of economic damages. (MCL 500.3135(2)(b)).

Can the Trucking Company Be Liable For A Blind Spot Accident In Michigan, Not Just The Driver?

Yes. A blind spot truck accident isn’t always limited to driver error — the transportation company itself can share or bear liability. Common carrier-level failures include:

• Poor mirror maintenance: broken, misaligned, or missing mirrors and cameras
• Inadequate training: drivers not properly trained on no-zone awareness
• Negligent hiring or supervision: keeping drivers with known blind-spot violations
• Equipment and visibility failures: malfunctioning blind-spot sensors or backup cameras

When a transportation company’s own negligence contributed to the crash — separate from anything the driver did in the moment — that opens a second avenue of liability beyond the driver alone, which can matter for identifying every available source of compensation.

Common Injuries After a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Michigan

Blind spot truck accidents cause serious injuries because a passenger vehicle is often struck from the side, pushed into another lane, forced off the road, or crushed by the weight of the tractor-trailer. The severity of injury depends on the angle of impact, speed, whether there was an underride or rollover, and whether the crash caused secondary collisions. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries. A victim may suffer a concussion or a more serious brain injury from striking the steering wheel, window, door frame, or another part of the vehicle.
• Neck and back injuries. These crashes often cause herniated discs, spinal strain, whiplash-type injuries, and other neck and back trauma that can lead to chronic pain and long-term limitations.
• Spinal cord injuries. In severe crashes, the impact can damage the spinal cord and result in partial or full paralysis, loss of sensation, or permanent impairment.
• Broken bones. Fractures to the arms, wrists, ribs, pelvis, hips, legs, and ankles are common when a smaller vehicle is struck or crushed by a semi.
• Shoulder injuries. The force of impact can cause torn rotator cuffs, dislocations, labral tears, and other shoulder damage, especially in side-impact or rollover crashes.
• Internal injuries. Tractor-trailer crashes can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, lung injuries, and other trauma that may not be obvious at the scene but can become life-threatening.
• Chest injuries. Victims may suffer rib fractures, bruised lungs, sternum injuries, and other chest trauma from seatbelts, airbags, or the force of the collision.
• Facial and dental injuries. Broken facial bones, cuts, eye injuries, and dental trauma can occur when a victim’s head or face strikes part of the vehicle during the crash.
• Lacerations and scarring. Broken glass, twisted metal, and structural intrusion can cause deep cuts, permanent scarring, and disfigurement.
• Psychological trauma. Many people experience anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, post-traumatic stress, and fear of driving after a violent crash, especially when the collision was sudden and severe.

Can I Sue for Injuries After a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Michigan?

In many cases, yes. You can sue for injuries after a blind spot truck accident if the commercial driver or another responsible party caused the crash and your injuries meet Michigan’s tort threshold, meaning that you have suffered a serious impairment of body function. (MCL 500.3135(1)). In a serious crash, a lawsuit is often available for pain, suffering, and other noneconomic damages when injuries are substantial enough to meet that standard.

A lawsuit may also allow recovery for certain economic losses that are “in excess of” the applicable No-Fault limits and time restrictions. (MCL 500.3135(3)(c)). In a blind spot truck accident lawsuit, a lawyer will investigate not only the commercial driver’s negligence, but also whether the transportation company, a contractor, a vehicle owner, or another party shares responsibility for the collision. 

What Damages Can a Lawyer Help Me Recover After a Crash?

A Michigan blind spot truck accident lawyer can help you pursue both No-Fault benefits and, where the facts support it, a third-party injury claim against the at-fault commercial driver or another responsible party. Michigan’s No-Fault statute helps you pay for medical bills, wage loss, replacement services, and other crash-related economic losses through your insurer. (MCL 500.3107(1)(a)-(b)). If your injuries satisfy Michigan’s tort threshold, a lawyer can also pursue pain and suffering damages and excess economic losses beyond what No-Fault covers. (MCL 500.3135(1), (3)(c)).

A lawyer can also help prove the full human and financial impact of the crash. Michigan’s model civil jury instructions define economic loss as including medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning potential, while noneconomic loss includes pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, and disfigurement. (M Civ JI 50.21) The instructions also recognize specific pain-and-suffering damages including physical pain, mental anguish, fright and shock, loss of social pleasures, and embarrassment or humiliation. (M Civ JI 50.02(a)-(e)) In a serious case, that may mean compensation for surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment, lost earning capacity, disability, disfigurement, and the lasting effect your injuries have on your work, daily life, and relationships.

How Long Do I Have To Sue?

In most Michigan blind spot truck accident cases, you have three years to file a lawsuit. Michigan law provides: “Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of limitations is 3 years after the time of the death or injury for all actions to recover damages for the death of a person or for injury to a person or property.” (MCL 600.5805(2)). That is the general deadline for a third-party injury lawsuit against the commercial driver, transportation company, or another responsible party.

No-Fault benefits have separate deadlines, and they can be much shorter. For instance, Michigan’s No-Fault law requires that the application for benefits be filed with the responsible auto insurer within one (1) year of the accident. (MCL 500.3145(1)). Because these types of auto crash cases often involve both a third-party lawsuit and No-Fault claims, speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible so no deadline is missed.

How Long Does It Take To Settle a Blind Spot Truck Accident Claim In Michigan?

There is no fixed timeline for settling a blind spot truck accident claim. Truck accident claims often take longer than ordinary car accident cases because the injuries are more serious, the damages are higher, and the evidence is more complex. Here are the main factors that affect the timeline:

• The severity of the injuries. Cases involving surgery, hospitalization, traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, permanent impairment, or long-term rehabilitation take longer because the full medical picture must be clear before settlement.
• Whether future treatment is still unknown. A case may need more time if doctors are still evaluating future procedures, therapy, disability, work restrictions, or long-term care.
• How clear liability is. Settlement takes longer when the transportation company disputes fault, blames the other driver, or argues the collision had another cause.
• The amount and quality of evidence. These auto crash claims often depend on black box data, driver logs, dashcam or surveillance video, maintenance records, dispatch communications, witness statements, police reports, and scene evidence. Gathering and analyzing that proof takes time.
• How many parties are involved. These crashes may involve the driver, the transportation company, a vehicle owner, a maintenance company, a broker, or other defendants. Cases with multiple parties take longer to resolve.
• The amount of insurance coverage. Large commercial policies, excess policies, layered coverage, and disputes over who is covered can add time to the settlement process.
• Whether experts are needed. Serious tractor-trailer crash cases often require accident reconstructionists, safety experts, medical specialists, life-care planners, economists, and vocational experts, and that work takes time.
• Whether the transportation company is acting reasonably. Some defendants investigate and negotiate seriously once the evidence is clear. Others delay, deny, or make low offers to pressure an injured person into a cheap settlement.
• Whether a lawsuit has to be filed. Some claims settle before suit, but others do not move meaningfully until formal litigation begins and the defense sees the case is being prepared for trial.
• How well the case is developed from the start. Claims move more effectively when evidence is preserved early, damages are documented thoroughly, and the transportation company knows the injured person has experienced counsel building the case correctly.

What Happens If a Loved One Is Killed in a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Michigan?

If a loved one is killed in a blind spot truck accident in Michigan, a wrongful death case may be available. Michigan’s wrongful death statute provides that when a person’s death is “caused by wrongful act, neglect, or fault of another,” the party that would have been liable is “liable to an action for damages.” (MCL 600.2922(1)). In Michigan, that claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate, not by individual family members filing separate lawsuits. (MCL 600.2922(2)).

A fatal crash requires a fast and thorough investigation because evidence can be extensive and time-sensitive. A lawyer will need to move quickly to preserve black box data, driver logs, dispatch records, dashcam footage, maintenance records, scene evidence, and witness testimony, while identifying whether the commercial driver, transportation company, vehicle owner, or another party is legally responsible for the death.

What Damages Can I Recover If a Loved One Is Killed in a Crash?

If a loved one is killed in a blind spot truck accident, the damages can be substantial and go well beyond funeral costs. Under Michigan’s wrongful death statute, recoverable damages can include medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses, the deceased person’s conscious pain and suffering before death, and the surviving family’s loss of financial support, companionship, and society. (MCL 600.2922(6)). In a fatal crash case, those damages often turn on the family’s financial dependence, the closeness of the relationship, the severity of suffering before death, and the evidence of what the commercial driver or transportation company did wrong.

No-Fault survivor’s loss benefits may also be available through the applicable auto insurer. Michigan’s No-Fault statute provides that personal protection insurance benefits are payable for a survivor’s loss consisting of lost contributions of tangible economic value that dependents would have received from the deceased, along with certain replacement-service expenses incurred after the death. (MCL 500.3108(1)). A lawyer can make sure both wrongful death damages and available No-Fault survivor’s loss benefits are identified, documented, and pursued so the family does not miss important sources of recovery.

How Long Does a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Take?

A Michigan wrongful death lawsuit after a blind spot truck accident typically takes longer than a non-fatal injury settlement. These cases involve more extensive damages, more records, more family and estate issues, and a deeper investigation into both liability and the full human and financial losses caused by the death. In addition to proving how the crash happened, the case may also require proof about the deceased person’s medical care before death, pain and suffering before death, financial support provided to the family, and the losses suffered by the estate and surviving beneficiaries.

The timeline can also be affected by whether an estate has been opened, whether a personal representative has been appointed, how many beneficiaries are involved, whether the transportation company disputes fault, and whether experts are needed on transportation safety, economics, or future financial support. In many cases, a wrongful death claim cannot be valued responsibly as quickly as a less complex injury case. That is why early legal work is especially important after a fatal blind spot truck accident.

How To Find the Best Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Michigan Case

Choosing the right lawyer after a blind spot truck accident can significantly affect the outcome of your case. These types of auto crash claims are more complex than ordinary car crash cases, so it is important to find a lawyer who knows how to handle serious injuries, commercial semi evidence, multiple defendants, and aggressive insurance companies. Ask these questions when evaluating attorneys:

• Does the lawyer specialize in tractor-trailer crash cases? You want a lawyer who regularly handles tractor-trailer litigation, not someone who takes these cases occasionally as part of a general personal injury practice.
• How much experience does the lawyer have with serious injury and wrongful death cases? Tractor-trailer crashes often cause life-changing injuries or fatalities, so ask whether the lawyer has real experience with high-stakes cases involving major damages.
• Has the lawyer handled cases involving transportation companies and commercial insurers? A semi crash case may involve corporate defendants, commercial policies, black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and federal safety issues. Make sure you’re working with someone who knows how these cases work.
• Will the lawyer personally handle my case? Ask whether the lawyer you speak with will stay involved or whether your file will be handed off to staff after you sign up.
• How quickly can the lawyer begin preserving evidence? In tractor-trailer crash cases, timing matters. Ask what the lawyer will do immediately to protect driver logs, electronic data, dashcam footage, dispatch records, maintenance records, and other key evidence.
• What results has the lawyer achieved in similar cases? Past results do not guarantee a future outcome, but they help you understand whether the lawyer has actually succeeded in serious semi crash cases.
• How does the lawyer communicate with clients? Ask how often you will receive updates, who will return your calls, and whether the office is available to answer questions when you need help.
• Does the lawyer offer a free consultation? A free consultation lets you ask questions, understand your options, and evaluate whether the lawyer is a good fit — with no upfront cost.
• How does the fee work? Make sure you understand whether the case is handled on a contingency fee basis, what that means, and whether you owe anything upfront.
• Does the lawyer seem prepared, honest, and focused on your case? Pay attention not only to credentials, but also to whether the lawyer listens carefully, explains things clearly, answers directly, and makes you feel confident your case will receive serious attention.

Why Choose the Lawyers at Michigan Auto Law Your Crash Case?

Choosing the right lawyer can make or break a blind spot truck accident case. Here is why people choose our law firm:

• 100% specialized in auto accidents. We are the only law firm in Michigan 100% specialized in auto accidents. In a tractor-trailer crash case, where No-Fault issues, serious injuries, and commercial liability proof often overlap, that focus matters.
• Proven results. Our law firm has a strong track record of tractor-trailer crash settlements and verdicts, including the largest semi crash settlement of any lawyer or law firm in the state.
• Free consultations. We offer free consultations, giving injured people and families a chance to get answers and understand their options with no cost or obligation.
• No fee unless we win. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. That means injured people can get experienced legal help without taking on upfront attorney fees.
• Tier 1 Best Law Firm ranking. We have been ranked a Tier 1 Best Law Firm in America in Personal Injury Litigation, reflecting longstanding recognition for excellence in plaintiff-side injury litigation.
• More than 3,500 five-star reviews. The firm’s 3,500+ five-star reviews reflect its client reputation, communication, and commitment to results.
• More time and attention on each case. We intentionally take fewer cases than other firms so attorneys can spend more time on each client’s case. In a blind spot truck accident with extensive evidence and high damages, that extra attention can be decisive.
• Stronger leverage with insurance companies. The firm’s reputation with insurers leads to significantly higher settlements, and often faster ones. That matters in a semi crash case involving a commercial insurer and serious injuries.
• Experience with catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. These types of auto crashes often cause life-changing injuries or fatalities. A firm that regularly handles serious tractor trailer crash litigation is better positioned to build the case correctly from the start.
• A client-first approach. We prioritize prompt call-backs, accessibility, and clear communication. After a serious tractor-trailer crash, that responsiveness matters for injured people and grieving families.

Injured in a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Michigan and Need a Lawyer? Call Our Attorneys Now for a Free Consultation!

If you were injured in a blind spot semi crash in Michigan and you have questions about your settlement, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer near you. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is the state’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in tractor-trailer and automobile crashes.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 3,500 5-Star Reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach results in faster and more favorable resolutions for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has secured more million-dollar recoveries and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other attorney or law firm in the state. We’ve also achieved the highest reported compensation awards for semi and auto crash cases in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.

Legally Reviewed By

Published: Jul 27, 2026 | Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Written By

Steve M. Gursten, Attorney,
License#: P53632

Steven Gursten, attorney at Michigan Auto Law and one of the most successful auto accident attorneys in Michigan. Michigan Auto Law represents people seriously injured in car, truck, motorcycle, and bus accidents, including catastrophic injury, traumatic brain injury, and No-Fault insurance cases. Steven has recovered the largest reported auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer, and has been named Michigan Lawyer of the Year and a Top 50 Michigan Super Lawyer.

Read Steven Gursten’s full attorney profile

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Legally Reviewed by Todd Berg, Attorney

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. See our Community Guidelines.