Over five years, truck crashes claimed the lives of more than 5,260 people annually while leaving more than 86,800 injured. In many of these incidents, wide-turns were a common factor.
Wide-turn truck accidents are among the most serious and dangerous types of crashes on the road. When large trucks, like semis or 18-wheelers, make wide turns, they require a lot more space than regular vehicles.
This can lead to accidents, especially in crowded areas or when other drivers are unaware of how much space these trucks need. As you may know, these accidents often result in severe injuries or even fatalities.
In the United States, wide-turn truck accidents contribute to many truck-related crashes each year. Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, these accidents tend to be more severe, causing extensive damage to vehicles and passengers. It’s crucial to seek legal help if you’re involved in one of these accidents.
If you’ve been in a wide-turn truck accident, you don’t have to handle it alone. Contact our Seattle truck accident lawyer at Bernard Law Group for a free consultation. We can help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process.
Understanding Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
A wide-turn accident takes place when a large truck needs extra space to make a turn. Because these vehicles are so big, they can’t make tight turns like cars can. They often swing wide to the left before making a right-hand turn, which can put other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians in danger if they aren’t aware of the truck’s movement.
Seattle wide turn truck wreck lawyer cases often involve accidents in intersections, parking lots, or narrow streets. These trucks have large blind spots, making it difficult for drivers to see everything around them. As a result, smaller vehicles or pedestrians can get “squeezed” between the truck and the curb, causing dangerous collisions.
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Types of Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
Wide-turn truck accidents can happen in several different ways. Here are some of the most common types:
- Right Turn Squeeze Accident: This happens when a truck swings left before turning right, squeezing a vehicle caught between the truck and the curb.
- Left-Hand Turns: Large trucks need much space to turn left, especially when crossing multiple lanes.
- Multi-Lane Turn Accidents: Trucks that attempt to turn across several lanes can cause confusion and accidents with cars in those lanes.
- Turning Across Oncoming Traffic: When trucks try to turn across traffic, it’s risky because they take longer to complete the turn, giving oncoming cars less time to react.
- Blind Spot Collisions: Due to the truck’s size, the driver may not see other cars, especially those driving beside it, in their blind spots.
- Intersection Collisions: Wide-turn accidents frequently happen at intersections where trucks must make sharp turns.
- Improper Wide Turns Due to Driver Fatigue or Distraction: When truck drivers are tired or distracted, they may misjudge the space needed for a safe turn.
Causes of Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
There are many reasons why wide-turn truck accidents happen. Some of the most common causes include:
Blind spots
Trucks are so big that they have areas around them where the driver can’t see anything. These are called blind spots, and they make it easy for a truck driver to accidentally hit a nearby car or pedestrian because they simply can’t see them.
Improper signaling
When a truck doesn’t use its turn signal correctly or doesn’t use it at all, other drivers don’t know what the truck is going to do. This confusion can lead to crashes when cars or people don’t realize a truck is about to turn.
Turning too fast
Large trucks need more time and space to make safe turns. If a driver takes a turn too quickly, they can lose control of the truck or hit something in their path because the truck can’t stop or adjust as fast as a car.
Driver fatigue
Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road without enough breaks. This makes them tired, and when drivers are tired, they make bad decisions or don’t react as quickly, which can lead to accidents.
Insufficient training
Some truck drivers haven’t been properly trained to make wide turns safely. Without the proper training, they may not understand how to manage their large vehicle in tight spaces or heavy traffic, putting others in danger.
Like car drivers, truck drivers can get distracted by things while behind the wheel. When truck drivers are not paying full attention, they are much more likely to make mistakes that can cause accidents.
Negligent driving behavior
Sometimes, truck drivers don’t follow the rules of the road. They might speed, ignore traffic signs, or drive recklessly, increasing the chance of a wide-turn accident.
Common Injuries in Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
The injuries resulting from wide-turn truck accidents are often severe due to the size and weight of the truck. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Brain damage and head trauma
- Severe burns or lacerations
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Emotional trauma, such as PTSD
These injuries can have long-term consequences for victims, impacting their ability to work, enjoy life, and recover financially.
Determining Fault in Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
In wide-turn truck accidents, figuring out who is at fault can be complicated. Sometimes, it’s the truck driver who made an unsafe turn, but other times, it could be the driver of a passenger vehicle or even the trucking company itself.
Fault can be assigned to:
Truck Driver Negligence
If the truck driver was distracted, fatigued, or failed to signal, they may be responsible for the accident.
Passenger Vehicle Driver Negligence
In some cases, the driver of a smaller car might have been driving too close to the truck or not paying attention to the truck’s signals.
Trucking Company, Vehicle Manufacturer, or Government AgencOther parties could share responsibility ifIf the truck wasn’t properly maintained or the road was unsaty.
Our truck wreck attorney near me in Seattle will investigate the accident to determine who is responsible for your injuries.
Seeking Compensation for Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
When someone is hurt in a wide-turn truck accident, they can ask for compensation for two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are things you can put a price tag on. This includes medical bills from doctor visits, surgeries, or physical therapy. It also covers lost wages, which means the money you couldn’t earn because you were injured and unable to work.
If your car or other property was damaged in the accident, the cost to fix or replace it counts too. Finally, if your injuries mean you won’t be able to work, you can get compensated for future earnings that you will miss out on.
Non-economic damages are things that don’t have a direct cost but still affect your life significantly. Pain and suffering refers to the physical pain you’ve endured because of your injuries.
You can also receive compensation for emotional distress, like anxiety, depression, or trauma from the accident. Lastly, if the accident has taken away your ability to enjoy life the way you used to—whether it’s playing sports, spending time with family, or doing hobbies you love—that’s a loss of enjoyment of life.
Our Seattle semi-truck accident attorney will work to determine the worth of all of these items so you can receive the full compensation you need. We don’t just focus on what you’re dealing with right now—we also consider how the accident will affect you, making sure your long-term needs are considered.
Benefits of Hiring a Wide-Turn Truck Accident Lawyer
Hiring a wide-turn truck accident lawyer near me in Seattle can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. A lawyer will help gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and file all necessary paperwork on time. They will also negotiate with the insurance companies, often trying to pay as little as possible to accident victims.
A no-win, no-fee truck accident lawyer in Seattle is especially beneficial because you won’t have to worry about legal fees unless we win your case. This allows you to focus on your recovery without the added stress of financial burdens.
Choosing the Right Truck Accident Attorney
When selecting a Truck accident attorney in Seattle, WA, there are several things to keep in mind:
- Experience in commercial truck accident cases: It is essential to choose a lawyer who understands the specific challenges of truck accident cases.
- Track record of success: Look for a lawyer who has a history of winning cases similar to yours.
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations: Truck accident cases often involve specific rules and regulations, so it’s crucial to have a lawyer who knows them well.
- Willingness to go to trial: Not all cases settle out of court. Ensure your lawyer is prepared to take the case to trial if necessary.
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Why Choose Bernard Law Group
Here’s why clients choose us:
- We have a track record of winning truck accident cases.
- We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions.
- We work on a No-win, no-fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win your case.
If you’re searching for the Best truck accident lawyer in Seattle, look no further. We are committed to helping you recover from your accident and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
Contact Our Seattle Wide Turn Truck Accident Lawyer
Wide-turn truck accidents can have devastating consequences, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Bernard Law Group, the top-rated truck accident lawyer in Seattle is ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been involved in a wide-turn truck accident.
Let our affordable truck accident attorney in Seattle, WA, fight for your rights and help you move forward after a serious accident. We are here to support you every step of the way.
