Recovering Damages in a Wide Turn Truck Accident

If a large commercial truck makes a wide turn that causes an accident with another vehicle, injured victims may be able to recover compensation from the trucker and the trucking company.

The Dangers of Wide Turns

Large trucks making wide turns put other drivers at significant risk of accidents by encroaching on adjacent lanes of traffic.

Due to their large size and length, commercial trucks require extra time and space to make turns. They have to swing out into adjacent lanes to successfully complete a wide turn. Large trucks often need a turning radius of 55 feet to complete a left or right turn. During the turn, adjacent drivers can get caught in the truck’s blind spot, especially if drivers are attempting to pass the truck.

Wide turn truck accidents can occur when a truck is turning left or right, but the truck driver’s visibility is most limited when turning right. The “right turn squeeze” is a common collision seen by Henderson truck accident lawyers. It occurs when a vehicle attempts to pass a truck on the right-hand side while the truck is turning right. These types of collisions can cause severe crushing injuries, amputated limbs, damage to internal organs, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Recovery for Damages

Because wide truck turns can cause significant injuries, even death, to nearby passengers in other vehicles, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians, commercial truck drivers are required to have training in making wide turns. If a truck driver is not properly trained, the trucking company is likely to be held liable for accidents and injuries. If an injury victim files a lawsuit with a truck accident lawyer, direct liability is often found due to negligent training, negligent supervision, or negligent hiring. To avoid liability, trucking companies often blame injury victims for negligent driving behaviors.

Truckers and other drivers must exercise care behind the wheel. To make safe wide turns, truck drivers must use their turn signals, look for other vehicles in their blind spots, and wait for a clear opportunity to make turns. Drivers must be aware of a truck’s blind spots and avoid passing without enough space, especially on a truck’s right side. Even when truck drivers check for vehicles, they can’t always see them in their blind spots.