Wide Turn Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks require more room to make turns than passenger vehicles. Therefore, truckers must sometimes maneuver wide turns, which require them to take up more than one lane. This can lead to wide turn accidents in which other vehicles are crushed under the truck or are involved in a truck underride collision, both of which typically involve serious injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Causes of Wide Turn Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are typically the result of negligence. Sometimes, a driver is following too closely behind a truck or attempting to beat the truck around a turn. Other times, there are poor weather conditions or debris in the road. However, wide turn truck accidents are most often caused by the following driver errors:

• Distracted driving: Anything that takes a driver’s attention off the road is dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2017 alone, 3,166 people in the U.S. were killed in distracted driving crashes.
• Drowsy driving: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the amount of time truckers can drive without taking a break. Studies show that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, causing at least 100,000 car wrecks per year, according to the NHTSA.
• Failure to check blind spots: Trucks have many blind spots around the truck that the driver cannot see. Cars trying to pass trucks that are turning may become involved in a wide turn truck accident if they are in a truck’s blind spot.
• Negligent hiring, training, or supervision: Trucking companies may be at fault for accidents caused by their employees. Drivers must be adequately screened and trained before being allowed to drive a truck.

Common Injuries and Compensation

Wide turn truck accidents can result in various injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Amputations
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Concussions
• Fatal injuries
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations
• Paralysis
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Plaintiffs seeking compensation in Illinois will be subject to the modified comparative fault rule, meaning that their award will be modified to reflect their percentage of fault for the accident. Those who are injured in car accidents should seek the counsel of a qualified attorney in their local area; the law on personal injury varies by state.

Edwardsville Truck Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC Help Those Injured in Wide Turn Truck Accidents

If you were injured in a wide turn truck accident, contact an Edwardsville truck accident lawyer at The Cates Law Firm, LLC. You may be entitled to damages, including payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For a free consultation, please complete our online contact form or call us at 618-277-3644. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we serve clients throughout Belleville, Carbondale, East St. Louis, Granite City, Edwardsville, Chester, Waterloo, St. Louis, Madison County, St. Clair County, Monroe County, and Randolph County.