Truck Accidents Involving Wide Turns
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, auto accident damage and injuries tend to be catastrophic when trucks are involved. Unfortunately, commercial trucks have many risk factors that increase the likelihood of a collision. One of these is the necessity to make wide turns.
Whether turning right or left, commercial trucks swing out wider than a passenger vehicle. If a truck driver is not careful, they can easily cause an accident when making a turn. Victims of wide-turn truck accidents can work with the lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., in Brooklyn, NY, to hold liable parties accountable for crash damages.
Why Do Commercial Trucks Take Such Wide Turns?
Commercial trucks do not have the same small turn radius as a passenger vehicle. This is especially true of commercial trucks that have a tractor or trailer.
In order to make a 90 degree right or left turn, commercial trucks must swing wide. This means that, when making a right hand turn, they must start the turn from the second lane to the left, rather than the right lane. It also means that commercial trucks may swing into an opposing lane of traffic when making their turn.
Commercial truck drivers should be aware of the challenges of a wide turn, and should be thoroughly trained to make a turn safely.
Types of Wide Turn Truck Accidents
There are two common types of wide turn truck accidents: head-on collisions and right squeeze accidents.
A head-on collision can occur if a truck starts to make a wide turn without checking the opposing lane of traffic, or without allowing oncoming drivers room to stop or drive by. In these situations the front-end of the commercial truck can collide with the front-end of approaching vehicles.
When it comes to wide turn truck accidents, squeeze accidents are more common than head-on collisions. Because trucks need to swing wide when making a turn, they may leave too much room between the trailer of their truck and the right hand curb. If drivers see this space and attempt to squeeze by, they may be struck by the truck and can even get pushed beneath the truck’s trailer.
Causes of Wide Turn Truck Accidents
As with other types of car accidents, there are multiple factors that can cause a wide turn truck accident to occur. Some of the most common causes include:
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Failing to use a turn signal
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Entering into a turn too quickly
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Leaving too much space between the truck trailer and curb
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Backing up to complete a turn
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Failing to check windows and mirrors for surrounding traffic before starting a turn
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Distracted driving
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Driving while fatigued
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Driving under the influence
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Lack of training and/or experience
Is a Truck Driver At-fault?
Liability for a wide turn truck accident depends on the circumstances surrounding the crash. However, truck drivers have a duty of care to other people on the road and should be properly trained to make a wide turn safely.
If a truck driving error leads to an accident, the driver, the driving company, or both may be held liable for collision damages.
Lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C. work with accident investigators to determine the cause of a crash so that liable parties can be held accountable, and our Brooklyn clients can be justly compensated for losses.
Contact Our Team of Lawyers
If you have been injured in a wide turn truck accident and believe that a negligent truck driver is to blame, auto accident lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for accident damages. To discuss the details of your case, send us a message online, or call our Brooklyn law firm at (718) 624-1211.