What Are a Truck's “No-Zones,” and Who's Liable If a Blind Spot Causes a Crash in Arizona?

October 17, 2026 | Truck Accidents

A truck’s “No-Zones” are the areas around a commercial truck where the driver has limited or no visibility. If a truck driver causes an accident because they fail to check a blind spot before changing lanes or turning, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries. Arizona law also allows injured drivers to seek compensation when they share some responsibility for the crash.

Blind-spot truck accidents can cause serious injuries, especially when a large commercial vehicle strikes a smaller passenger car. If you were injured in a collision in Phoenix or Scottsdale, KRLG Injury Lawyers can help investigate what happened and determine who may be responsible.

The Short Answer: The Four Zones Where a Truck Driver Can’t See You

Commercial trucks have four major blind spots, commonly called No-Zones. These areas are located directly in front of the truck, behind the trailer, and along both sides of the vehicle.

The four No-Zones include:

Front No-Zone: The area directly in front of the cab, where smaller vehicles can disappear from the driver’s view.
Rear No-Zone: The space immediately behind the trailer, which truck drivers cannot see through their rearview mirrors.
Left-side No-Zone: The area alongside the driver’s side of the truck, where passing vehicles may be difficult to spot.
Right-side No-Zone: A large blind spot extending along the passenger side of the truck, sometimes covering multiple lanes.

The right-side blind spot is especially dangerous because a truck driver may not realize another vehicle is traveling alongside the trailer.

Although passenger vehicle drivers should avoid remaining in these areas, truck drivers are responsible for checking their surroundings before making a maneuver. Having a blind spot does not excuse careless driving.

Why No-Zone Collisions Are Especially Common in Merging and Lane-Change Situations

Blind-spot collisions often happen when truck drivers merge or change lanes without realizing another vehicle is nearby. A passenger car can be traveling alongside a truck one moment and be struck when the truck begins moving into its lane.

Common situations that lead to blind-spot crashes include:

Unsafe lane changes: A truck driver moves into an occupied lane without checking carefully for nearby vehicles.
Highway merging: A truck enters a busy highway without allowing enough space for surrounding traffic.
Wide right turns: A truck swings outward before turning and strikes a vehicle traveling beside it.
Heavy traffic: Vehicles remain close to a truck for extended periods, increasing the risk of a collision when traffic patterns change.

These situations can occur on busy Phoenix-area highways, including Interstate 10, Interstate 17, and Loop 101.

How Liability Is Established When a Truck Driver Claims They “Never Saw” the Other Vehicle

A truck driver cannot avoid liability simply by saying they never saw the other vehicle. In Arizona, liability generally depends on whether the driver acted negligently and whether that negligence caused the accident.

Establishing liability generally involves proving four elements:

Duty of care: The truck driver had a legal responsibility to operate the vehicle safely.
Breach of duty: The driver failed to take reasonable precautions.
Causation: The driver’s actions caused the collision and resulting injuries.
Damages: The injured person suffered losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

The truck driver may not be the only responsible party. A trucking company could also be liable for an employee’s negligence committed within the scope of employment. In some cases, negligent hiring, training, or maintenance may create additional grounds for liability.

Determining liability in a blind-spot truck accident often requires examining driver conduct, trucking company practices, and available evidence. KRLG Injury Lawyers helps injured clients investigate these complex claims and pursue compensation from responsible parties. Our firm has recovered over $250 million for clients, and we bring this experience to helping accident victims in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and throughout Arizona understand their legal options.

What Dashcam and Black Box Data Can Prove in a No-Zone Case

Dashcam footage and electronic truck data can provide important evidence in a blind-spot accident. These records can help show what happened before the collision, how the truck was moving, and whether the driver had an opportunity to avoid the crash.

Dashcam Footage

Dashcam footage may capture the position of nearby vehicles, lane changes, and the moments leading up to impact. Footage from other vehicles, traffic cameras, or nearby businesses can also help establish how the accident occurred.

Black Box Data

Many commercial trucks also contain electronic systems that record certain vehicle operations. Depending on the equipment installed, available data may include:

The truck’s speed before the collision
Braking activity
Sudden acceleration or deceleration
Engine performance
Certain events recorded around the time of impact

This information can be especially useful when the truck driver and passenger vehicle driver give different accounts of the crash.

Not every commercial truck records the same information, and some data may be overwritten. Preserving available records early can make a significant difference in an investigation.

Shared Fault: When a Passenger Vehicle Driver Is Partially Responsible

Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means an injured person can generally recover compensation even if they were partly responsible for a truck accident, although their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, a person’s share of negligence reduces the damages they can recover. The statute also contains an exception involving intentional, willful, or wanton conduct.

For example, suppose a driver suffers $100,000 in damages after a blind-spot truck accident. If that driver is found 30% responsible, their recoverable compensation would be reduced to $70,000.

After a blind-spot truck accident in Phoenix or Scottsdale, seek medical attention, report the crash, and preserve as much evidence as possible. These steps can protect your health and help establish what happened if you decide to pursue an injury claim.

If you are involved in a collision with a commercial truck, consider taking the following steps:

Get medical attention. Even if you feel relatively well, some injuries may not become apparent until hours or days after the accident.
Call the police. An official accident report can document the vehicles involved, roadway conditions, and statements from drivers and witnesses.
Take photographs. If it is safe to do so, document vehicle damage, skid marks, lane markings, and the truck’s identifying information.
Collect witness information. Someone who saw the truck change lanes or turn may be able to provide important details.
Keep records of your losses. Save medical bills, treatment records, repair estimates, and documentation of missed work.
Speak with a truck accident attorney. A lawyer can investigate the crash, request available electronic records, and identify potentially liable parties.

It is also important to understand Arizona’s filing deadline. Under A.R.S. § 12-542, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Certain claims, including those involving public entities, can have different deadlines.

Contact the Arizona Truck Accident Lawyers at KRLG Injury Lawyers for Help Today

A truck driver’s failure to check a blind spot can cause a devastating accident. If you were injured in a No-Zone collision in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or elsewhere in Arizona, you may have grounds to seek compensation from the responsible parties.

KRLG Injury Lawyers can investigate the crash, review available evidence, and help you understand your legal options. Our Arizona truck accident attorneys are prepared to advocate for your interests while you focus on recovering.

We serve Scottsdale, Phoenix, Maricopa County, & Arizona’s surrounding areas.

KRLG Injury Lawyers
7702 E Doubletree Ranch Rd #150, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(623) 303-5754

What Are a Truck’s “No-Zones,” and Who’s Liable If a Blind Spot Causes a Crash in Arizona?