Many of us have seen commercial trucks make wide turns. However, if a truck driver does not execute this turn correctly, they can cause serious accidents with much smaller passenger vehicles, leading to severe injuries and death.
If you or a loved one was involved in a wide turn truck accident, reach out to Dulin McQuinn Young for legal support and guidance.
Why Do Trucks Make Wide Turns?
Trucks with attached trailers can sometimes be up to 75 feet long. When the end of a vehicle is so long, extra space is necessary to make a complete turn safely and avoid colliding with nearby vehicles, light poles, or other objects.
You may have noticed large trucks often swing to the left before turning right. This is because they need to clear the corner. The vehicle’s rear wheels follow a different path from the front ones, creating a larger turning radius.
Dangers of Making Wide Turns
Making wide turns is part of driver training. However, when a driver does not have the necessary skills or training to maneuver these turns, they can cause the truck to tip over during sharp turns or crash into other vehicles. Motor vehicle accidents can happen when:
- A truck driver makes too tight of a turn, squashing a vehicle in the space between the truck and the curb.
- A vehicle squeezes into the truck’s right side to pass or turn while the truck is turning.
- A truck driver collides with another turning vehicle while executing the turn.
- A truck driver overcorrects after swinging too wide and hits oncoming traffic.
Common Causes of Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
Many wide-turn truck accidents occur due to driver error. Truck drivers may cause these accidents by:
- Not using turn signals
- Not checking blind spots
- Swinging too widely while executing a turn
- Overcorrecting after swinging too widely
- Going too fast while making the turn
- Making tight turns in places where it is not safe to do so
- Swinging into oncoming traffic
Drivers may make these mistakes for various reasons. Some drivers may be distracted, so they begin negotiating the turn too late. Others may be reckless and not concerned about the safety of other motorists. Sometimes, the driver simply doesn’t know any better because they do not have the proper training or experience handling commercial trucks. In some situations, there may be a mechanical issue, such as broken taillights or turn signals.
Who Is Responsible for Wide-Turn Truck Accidents?
Who is responsible for a wide-turn truck accident will depend on the circumstances surrounding the case. Potentially responsible parties and the reasons they may be liable for such accidents include:
- Truck drivers who made an error while completing the turn
- Trucking companies that are responsible for the negligence of their drivers
- Mechanics who failed to fix broken lights or turning signals
- Cargo loading companies that loaded goods onto a truck that shifted during transit
An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and explain who is responsible.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in an accident involving a wide turn, the truck accident attorneys from Dulin McQuinn Young are here to help. Call us today to arrange a free consultation.