A wide turn requires a wide radius and an additional traffic lane, which increases the risk of serious truck accidents. A truck driver should keep in mind that there are other road users when making a wide turn. If the truck driver makes a reckless wide turn that causes injuries or even death to other road users, he or she can be held liable.
What is a Wide Turn?
A wide turn occurs when a big vehicle, such as a commercial tractor-trailer, uses a wide space or an additional traffic lane to complete a safe turn.
Why Are Wide Turns Risky?
Using Additional Traffic Lanes
Wide right turns can be difficult to maneuver, especially for big commercial trucks. When making a wide right turn, for instance, a truck may have to partly move into the traffic left lane to complete the turn safely. When a wide turn is made on a two-lane road, the risk of fatal head-on collisions with oncoming traffic increases.
Making Wide Turns on a Small Radius
If a driver of a large truck attempts to make a wide right turn on a small radius, the driver increases the risk of rolling over. A large truck, unlike a small car, has a higher center of gravity. Consequently, the truck cannot make a safe wide turn on a small space.
When making a wide turn, a truck leaves a space between the right curb and the truck. A small car driver that attempts to drive through the space left behind by a turning truck can be at a higher risk of getting squeezed under the trailer.
Poor Truck Driving Skills
Truck drivers with poor driving skills can cause fatal accidents, especially when making wide turns. Poor truck driving, such as failing to use turn indicators, putting the pedal to the metal, changing lanes recklessly, and making abrupt left or right turns significantly contribute to road accidents.
Filing a Wide Turn Accident Claim
Truck drivers have a legal duty to make wide left and right turns safely. A person injured in a wide turn accident caused by a negligent truck driver can file a wide turn accident claim against that truck driver. A truck accident lawyer can conduct a detailed investigation into the wide turn accident and come up with evidence to prove the truck driver or trucking company was liable for the accident.
