Wide Turns: How They Can Cause Truck Accidents

Most drivers notice that semi-trucks make very wide turns. Large commercial trucks, especially semis with a tractor/trailer, can’t turn in the same small radius as passenger vehicles. Trucks must swing wide to make a 90-degree right turn. Trucks have to start a turn from the second lane to the left instead of the right turn lane used by passenger vehicles. Otherwise, a wide turn puts trucks in the opposing traffic lane. These factors, and others, increase the risk of right-turn truck accidents. Truck drivers who carelessly make wide turns put motorists at risk.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let a Florida truck accident lawyer at Searcy Denney help. We’ll fight to establish your claim and recover all of the financial compensation you’re entitled to.

What Makes Truck Accidents Different?

The most obvious difference between large commercial truck accidents and passenger vehicle accidents is the sheer force of impact. A fully-loaded large commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and the average passenger vehicle weighs just over 4,000 pounds. So, when a typical passenger vehicle collides with a large commercial truck, it’s like a steamroller running into a bicycle.

Another difference is the amount of time it takes for a large commercial truck to stop. Combine this with the high speed of highway travel, and you have a recipe for disaster. Finally, because of this potential for massive disaster, semi-trucks are required to carry greater amounts of insurance coverage, and the inspection, maintenance, and driving time for large commercial trucks are all heavily regulated.

Finally, truck accident cases are particularly complex because multiple entities may share fault for commercial truck accidents, including drivers, trucking companies, insurance companies, and third-party contractors.

The Turning Problem

Large commercial trucks are unable to make turns or other maneuvers that are commonplace for typical passenger vehicles. Large trucks have a relatively high center of gravity that prevents them from easily turning without tipping over. Some reasons truck become involved in turning accidents include:

• A car that is in the truck’s blind spot. Large commercial trucks have substantial blind spots on all four sides, especially on the right-hand side. If truck drivers don’t see the car move alongside them, they may assume there is room to make the turn.
• A truck driver who didn’t use a turn signal. Other drivers may assume the truck is going straight and pull into the turn lane alongside it.
• Failure to wait for a clear intersection. Truck drivers neglecting to wait for other vehicles to clear the intersection before making the turn.

Let a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer Help if You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact a Florida truck accident lawyer at Searcy Denney. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.