Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in collisions involving large commercial trucks. One of the leading causes is a simple yet dangerous fact: truck drivers can easily miss seeing pedestrians on the road.
Due to the unique challenges of operating large vehicles, truckers often have significant blind spots, longer stopping distances and a higher cab position, all of which increase the likelihood of overlooking someone on foot.
The visibility problem
Unlike passenger vehicles, commercial trucks are massive—often measuring more than 70 feet long and weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Their size creates major visibility issues. Truck drivers sit much higher than other motorists, and their vehicles have large blind spots—especially:
- Directly in front
- Behind
- Along both sides of the truck
Pedestrians who cross too close to a truck, particularly in urban environments or at intersections, can easily vanish from the driver’s line of sight. In city traffic, this is especially dangerous. A pedestrian who steps off the curb while a truck is making a right turn might be completely invisible to the driver.
Stopping distance and reaction time
Another reason trucks pose a danger to pedestrians is the extended stopping distance. A fully loaded truck can take more than 400 feet to come to a complete stop. If a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk suddenly or traffic signals change quickly, truck drivers may be unable to brake in time. Additionally, the following common risks in the trucking industry can impact a truck driver’s reaction time:
- Fatigue
- Distraction
- Poor weather
Long hours behind the wheel and tight delivery schedules often push drivers to the limit, increasing the chance of delayed reactions to unexpected pedestrian movements.
Truck drivers don’t intentionally hit pedestrians—but the design and demands of their vehicles make it far too easy to miss them. When pedestrians get involved in a trucking accident, a compassionate legal group can help determine if the accident was unintentional or due to recklessness.