Driving around large commercial vehicles can seem daunting, and there are many different ways that accidents can occur. While most people think of accidents involving tractor-trailers happening while vehicles are moving down the roadway, the reality is that many truck accidents occur when the truck is making a turn. At the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, our truck accident lawyers want to discuss wide-turn truck accidents.
What are wide-turn truck crashes?
There is no denying that trucks are massive. Commercial semi-trucks can reach up to 70 or more feet in length, so making a turn is a bit different for these vehicles than for traditional passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when a large truck needs to make a right-hand turn.
To successfully make a right-hand turn, the truck driver needs to swing the vehicle to the left first. This is where we often see many accidents occur. If a truck swings too far to the left when prepping for its right-hand turn, there is a chance it could go into the left lane and strike vehicles that are there. In many cases, this will end up being a sideswipe accident.
Another way that these accidents can occur is if there are two right-turn lanes and the truck is on the “left” of these two lanes. When making the turn, the truck could veer into the “right” of these lanes and run into a vehicle already in that lane, causing it to be crushed by the turning truck or trapped by it.
Any wide-turn truck accident could lead to severe injuries, particularly for that inside a traditional passenger vehicle affected by the collision.
Who is at fault for these crashes?
To be sure, large truck drivers have difficult jobs. While most truck drivers maneuver right-hand turns sufficiently, there is an increased chance of an accident occurring if a driver does not know the area well or they are operating on roads smaller than highways.
In general, the two types of accidents described above caused by a wide turn will be the fault of the truck driver. Drivers are specifically instructed on how to make these turns as part of obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL), and they should take every step possible to avoid an accident anytime they are on the roadway.
Let us help if you are injured in a truck accident
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury in a large truck crash caused by a negligent driver making a wide turn, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, we pledge to conduct a full investigation into the incident so we can secure the compensation you are entitled to. This could include coverage of your medical bills, lost income if you cannot work, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Los Angeles truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 310-997-0904 for a free consultation.
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