Accidents involving trucks or tractor-trailers are among the most dangerous ones in any state. According to a study made by the NHTSA in 2020, there were approximately 4,965 people killed that year. Moreover, large trucks accounted for about five percent of all vehicles involved in collisions. This only shows how common truck accidents are.
One of the most common truck/semi-truck accidents in the country is the "wide turn accident." Wide turns are among the most dangerous movements truck drivers make when they're on the road. When done improperly, they could cause a serious accident with fatal injuries.
This page will cover wide turn accidents and how to avoid them. Anyone who got injured by commercial trucks while on the road may be entitled to compensation, and they should speak with expert truck accident lawyers from Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys to review their case.
What's a Wide Turn Truck Accident?
A "wide turn" happens when a truck driver has to occupy an additional traffic lane to turn. Due to the average size of a commercial truck, it's normal for drivers to perform this maneuver.
Typically, when a truck driver attempts to make a wide turn, they must be really careful, as they could hit oncoming traffic. A wide turn accident happens when the truck driver hits other vehicles when trying to make their movement.
This type of truck accident is more common on two-lane roads, as there's less room for the vehicle to maneuver. Even though four-lane roads may be safer for everyone, there's still a chance of getting into an accident if the drivers don't behave properly.
What Causes a Wide Turn Truck Accident?
Accidents involving large trucks can happen for a variety of reasons. Depending on the case, the accident may be either the truck driver's or another person's fault.
Here are the most common reasons for a truck accident case:
The truck driver is lost and doesn't know how to navigate certain roads.
The driver makes a wide turn on a congested road.
The driver doesn't check their blind spots.
The driver is speeding or moving while distracted.
The driver didn't use their turn signals before moving.
The driver didn't secure their cargo correctly.
Even though most accidents can be the truck driver's fault, they can also happen because of another person's negligence. Someone who drives too close to a large commercial truck, for example, has a higher chance of causing an accident whenever the other driver tries to make a wide turn.
In any case, if the truck driver's ability isn't enough to maneuver their vehicle safely, it could roll over, hitting other drivers.
Why are large trucks prone to rolling over, though? Typically, it's because these vehicles have a high center of gravity. Vehicles with overloaded cargo, for example, are more likely to roll over.
What Injuries Can Someone Get from Truck Accidents?
Truck rollover accidents can be devastating for everyone. Due to how large commercial trucks are, they're more likely to cause fatal injuries to a lot of people. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can let you know what can you do to avoid Jackknife Accidents in Indiana.
Depending on the case, a person could sustain the following injuries:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Internal organ damage and bleeding
Paralysis
Amputations
Burns
Scarring
It's important to note that accidents involving tractor-trailers can also result in death, whether it's immediately after the accident or after some time.
Even though these accidents are scary and dangerous, they're not too hard to avoid. There are many measures people can take to be safer on the road, and while they won't eliminate the chances of getting into an accident, they can lower them.
How Can People Avoid Fatal Truck Accidents in Indiana?
Most of the time, the best way to prevent an accident of this kind is to avoid truck "no-zones." By driving safely around large trucks, everyone can ensure a safer experience while on the road.
About "No-Zones" and How to Avoid Them
A no-zone is also called a "blind spot." In a nutshell, these are areas that the driver can't see when looking through their rear-view or side mirrors. Drivers in a normal car will get blind spots on their back and their left/right side, although this problem can be fixed by adjusting the mirrors.
Unfortunately, the blind spots in large trucks are different, as the vehicle has other dimensions. There are three different blind spots in most trucks:
About 20 feet in front of the truck's cab.
One or two lanes to the side of the truck's cab.
About 30 feet behind the rear end of the trailer.
There's a common misconception that truck drivers have a better view of the road due to their heightened position. While that could be true, they still have more dangerous blind spots.
Here's a list of things a person can do to avoid getting into an accident with a commercial truck:
Don't tailgate the truck, as this immediately places the driver in one of the truck's no-zones.
Check the truck's mirrors, if possible. As a rule of thumb, if the driver can't see these mirrors, it means the truck driver can't see the vehicle.
Don't cut a truck off in traffic. Doing this will likely put the driver in the truck's front no-zone.
Always try to pass the truck from the left side. Typically, it's harder for truck drivers to see other vehicles on their right.
Watch for turn signals on the truck.
Another thing that can help prevent an accident is to adjust the driver's own blind spots. It helps to adjust the side-view mirrors in a way that allows the driver to see their car at the innermost edge of the reflection. As for the rear-view mirror, drivers should adjust it until they can see the entire mirror instead of the back seats.
In any case, it's always a good idea to give a truck a large following distance. If a driver notices a truck is tailgating them, the best thing to do is to pull over until they pass. It's not worth it to engage in risky behavior to avoid them, as that increases the chances of getting into an accident.
Most of the time, the person inside the smaller vehicle is more likely to experience fatal injuries than the truck driver.
Can People Sue If the Accident Was the Truck Driver's Fault?
Victims of a truck accident could sue the truck driver (or their employer) if they believe they were at fault for the accident. These drivers must be trained extensively to ensure they don't pose any risks to other drivers on the road. If these drivers aren't being responsible, it either means they aren't following directions or that they didn't get proper training from their employer.
Calling a truck accident lawyer is always the best option to consider to get compensated for damages. Determining fault in these cases isn't easy sometimes, which is why victims will need to have an expert on their side to help them.
Indiana works under a modified comparative negligence system. It means that drivers who want to file a personal injury claim can't be over 50% at fault for the accident. Otherwise, their case will get dismissed.
If the driver decides to sue the truck driver, they may try to fight back and argue that they did everything they could to avoid the accident. If they're successful in their claims, the victim could get less money (or no money) to cover their medical expenses and lost wages.
A professional lawyer, though, will help victims gather all the necessary evidence to get them the compensation they deserve. These experts will:
Investigate the circumstances of the accident to determine who was at fault.
Gather evidence and talk to potential witnesses.
Determine how much the economic and non-economic damages are worth.
Negotiate a settlement with the other party and their insurance company.
Represent the victim in court if the case goes to trial.
Insurance companies are known for denying claims and arguing that the injuries weren't that severe in an effort to pay less money. A lower settlement can be devastating to the victim, as that will force them to pay out of pocket for their treatment. These consequences can lead to a wide range of complications and psychological issues for the person.
With the help of a personal injury lawyer, victims will be able to focus on their recovery while the professionals work to get them the money they're entitled to. They can also answer questions such as, What can you do to avoid underride accidents in Indiana?
Bottom Line
Wide turn accidents are avoidable most of the time, but even though drivers can do everything in their power to prevent them, they can't influence another person's ability to drive. Truck drivers who behave negligently while on the road are more likely to cause an accident, and people who get involved in those fatal circumstances may be entitled to compensation.
The team at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is willing to go to war on behalf of their clients. Anyone who believes they have a case to file can seek a free consultation with these legal experts and talk over all the options available.