Wide Turn Accidents Lawyer

You deserve justice after a wide-turn truck accident. Contact Burg Simpson for a free consultation to start your journey toward compensation today.

Wide-turn truck accidents occur because large commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, require extra space to turn. When there isn’t enough space due to cars or other vehicles on the road, they end up colliding with other vehicles or objects. These accidents often lead to life-changing injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 74 percent of large truck crashes led to deaths in 2020. Some crashes involved both a tractor-trailer and a single-unit truck. The financial impact of wide-turn truck collisions can be substantial, with victims facing costly medical expenses, lost wages, and property repair or replacement costs. Additionally, the emotional toll on those injured and their families is considerable as they cope with physical pain, mental trauma, or losing loved ones. If you were affected by a wide-turn truck accident, seek legal representation. At Burg Simpson, our experienced lawyers can review your claim during a free consultation and advise you on the best options for recovering compensation for all the damages you’ve faced as a result of the accident.

The Reason Why Large Trucks Make Wide Right Turns

Wide-turn truck collisions are a common risk on the road. Often referred to as "squeeze play" or "right turn squeeze," these accidents put countless drivers at risk of property damage, serious injuries, or fatalities. Tractor-trailer trucks require more space for wide right turns due to their massive size and extended length. Maneuvering a large commercial truck, such as a semi or tractor-trailer, can be extremely challenging, especially on narrow roads or tight intersections. The turning radius of these big rigs is considerably larger than regular passenger vehicles. Generally, large trucks need up to 55 feet or more, whereas the standard small car requires around 35 feet or less. Additionally, large trucks have significant blind spots. These are the areas around the vehicle where other motorists are not visible to the semi-truck driver. These blind spots contribute to wide-turn truck collisions when drivers attempt right turns without checking for surrounding traffic. Drivers of smaller vehicles may not always be aware of the dangers of turning trucks, which occupy multiple lanes during the process. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, wide-turn accidents can lead to life-altering consequences for everyone involved.

Ensuring Safety on the Road: Why Truck Driver Training is Essential

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires Entry-Level Driver Training requirements for commercial motor vehicles in order to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate large vehicles. The CDL program includes extensive education on various aspects of driving, such as:

• Vehicle control
• Braking techniques
• Blind spot management
• How to execute safe turns

This comprehensive preparation helps equip commercial truck drivers with the knowledge and skills to navigate tight spaces and make wide turns without posing risks to other motorists.

Exploring the Different Types of Wide Turn Truck Accidents

1. Right Turn Squeeze Accident

   A tractor-trailer truck driver swings wide to make a right turn, often causing a collision with vehicles in the adjacent lane or pedestrians on the left lane or sidewalk.

2. Left-Hand Turns

   Like right-turn accidents, left-hand turn crashes happen when a semi-truck driver swings wide to make a left turn and collides with oncoming traffic or smaller vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.

3. Multi-Lane Turn Accidents

   When a large commercial truck takes multiple lanes during a turning maneuver, it can collide with other drivers around the turning truck.

4. Turning Across Oncoming Traffic

   A wide-turning truck can pose hazards for oncoming traffic if the truck driver's negligence results in them failing to signal their intention to turn properly or misjudging timing, resulting in dangerous and potentially fatal crashes.

5. Blind Spot Collisions

   Commercial truck drivers have visibility limitations that can prevent them from seeing other vehicles while making turns, leading to accidents when they fail to check mirrors before executing their wide turns.

6. Intersection Collisions

   Trucks making wide turns at intersections may collide with other vehicles approaching perpendicular or parallel streets, leading to severe injuries and damage.

7. Improper Wide Turns Due to Driver Fatigue or Distraction

   A tired or distracted tractor-trailer truck driver might not notice their wide-turn patterns, resulting in hazardous situations for nearby motorists and pedestrians.

The Hazards of Wide Turns: Identifying the Causes of Truck Accidents

A variety of factors can cause wide-turn truck accidents. Here are some common causes of wide turn accidents that semi-truck accident victims should be aware of:

1. Blind spots: Large commercial trucks have a restricted view, which makes it difficult for the driver to see other vehicles around them. Other drivers should be cautious when driving near or passing a turning truck, especially on the right-hand side.
2. Improper signaling: Big rig truck drivers must use their signals when making turns, and they need to do so in a clear and timely manner. Failing to signal or signal properly can confuse other drivers and may result in an accident.
3. Turning too fast: Trucks have a wide turning radius and need more room for turning than smaller passenger vehicles. When semi-truck drivers try to turn too quickly, they risk hitting other cars or objects in their path or even rolling over.
4. Driver fatigue: Tired truck drivers are less alert and may not notice other vehicles around them, increasing the risk of an accident during a wide turn.
5. Insufficient training: Not all tractor-trailer truck drivers receive proper training on navigating their vehicles safely, including making wide turns while avoiding accidents.
6. Distractions: Like any driver, distracted truck drivers are more likely to make mistakes that could result in an accident during a wide turn.
7. Negligent driving behavior: Speeding, reckless driving, or failing to yield the right-of-way can contribute to wide-turn truck accidents.

The High Price of Wide Turns: The Range of Injuries Caused by Wide Turn Accidents

Wide-turn truck accidents can result in severe injuries and sometimes fatalities for those involved in truck turns. Some of the common injuries that people hurt in wide-turn truck accidents may suffer include:

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken or shattered bones
• Brain damage and head trauma
• Severe burns or lacerations
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Internal organ damage or bleeding
• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Who Is At Fault In Wide Turn Crashes?

Determining who is at fault in a wide-turn commercial truck accident can be complex. Sometimes, the truck driver may be responsible if they fail to signal their turn or check for blind spots before making a wide right turn. However, other road users are also accountable for not giving commercial trucks enough space to turn safely. For example, suppose a passenger vehicle driver tries to pass a turning semi-truck on the right-hand side and gets caught in the truck's blind spot. In that case, that driver may also bear some responsibility for any resulting accident. In many situations, both parties share fault. In a wide-turn truck accident, there can be multiple parties who may be liable for the accident, including:

• The big rig truck driver may have been negligent in operating the vehicle or failing to follow traffic laws.
• The trucking company may have neglected to properly train the driver, maintain the truck, or enforce safety policies.
• The manufacturer of the truck or its components may have included a defect in the vehicle or parts which contributed to the accident.
• Other drivers or pedestrians may have contributed to the accident through their negligence.
• Government agencies are responsible for maintaining safe roadways, and poor road conditions sometimes contribute to accidents.

Injured in a Wide Right Turn Accident? Here's What You Need to Know About Seeking Compensation

There are many things you can request compensation for in a personal injury claim relating to a wide turn truck accident. Economic and non-economic damages are two distinct categories of compensation you could receive in personal injury cases, including wide-turn truck and passenger vehicle accidents.

Economic Compensation

Economic damages, sometimes referred to as special damages, refer to the quantifiable financial losses incurred by a victim due to an accident. Documentation, such as receipts and bills, can easily calculate and support these damages. Examples of economic damages include:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Future loss of earnings

Non-economic Compensation

Non-economic, or general damages, are related to an accident or injury's more subjective and intangible consequences. These damages are harder to quantify and do not have a specific monetary value attached to them. Non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium or companionship

In personal injury cases, truck accident victims may recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages to help recover from the financial and emotional toll that accidents or injuries can cause.

Don't Get Stuck in a Legal Jam: The Benefits of Hiring a Wide-Turn Truck Accident Lawyer

If you've suffered serious injuries in a wide-turn truck accident, hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages. A knowledgeable and experienced truck accident attorney can analyze the circumstances of your case, gather evidence such as witness statements and police reports, and determine liability for the accident. They will then work with the insurance company and other parties involved to negotiate fair compensation on your behalf. Additionally, a skilled attorney can help guide you through the legal process and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time. They can also represent you in a lawsuit and argue your case in court if the insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement amount. By having an advocate who understands the complexities of wide-turn truck accidents by your side, you increase your chances of obtaining maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. At Burg Simpson, the reputable wide-truck accident attorneys offer free consultations to evaluate cases. If you were injured in a tractor-trailer truck accident, consider taking advantage of this opportunity to understand your options. You could benefit greatly from pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, especially if you were severely injured. During this initial meeting with your wide-turn truck accident lawyer, they will provide you with their legal opinion about whether your case is strong enough to bring to court. Let an experienced truck accident lawyer handle sorting through complicated commercial vehicle laws as they apply to your case, negotiating a settlement for you, and filing all the necessary paperwork while you focus on recovering from your injuries caused by wide-turning trucks.

The Road to Justice: Tips for Choosing the Right Truck Accident Attorney

Choosing the right truck accident lawyer is crucial for victims of wide-turn accidents. Here are some things to keep in mind when making this critical decision:

1. Look for a lawyer with experience in commercial truck accident cases
2. Research their track record of success in winning compensation for clients
3. Consider their knowledge of federal and state regulations related to commercial trucks and driving
4. Find a lawyer who is willing to take your case to trial if necessary
5. Check their availability and willingness to communicate effectively with you throughout the process
6. Look for a lawyer who offers a free consultation to evaluate your case
7. Choose a lawyer who has experience dealing with insurance companies and negotiating settlements
8. Consider the size and reputation of the law firm and its team of wide-turn truck accident lawyers
9. Choose an empathetic, understanding lawyer who genuinely cares about their client's well-being.

Experience Matters: Why Our Large Truck Accident Lawyers Are Your Best Bet

Choosing the right lawyer to handle your wide-turn truck accident compensation case can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. At Burg Simpson, we understand the complexities of these cases and are dedicated to fighting for clients who have been victims of negligent truck drivers. Stop stressing and call to schedule your free consultation so you can find out the ways we can help. Our experienced wide-truck accident attorneys have successfully handled numerous wide-turn truck accident cases and thoroughly understand the laws and regulations that relate to your case. We will work diligently to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build strong cases that maximize compensation for our clients. Our legal team is highly skilled in negotiating with insurance companies while always keeping our client's best interests at heart. We strive to ensure you receive maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and future medical care costs. As an established law firm specializing in personal injury claims, we understand how stressful dealing with the legal process can be. With over 40 years of experience helping victims financially recover from serious injuries caused by wide-turn truck accidents, there is absolutely no reason why you should face this alone - let us help you.

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