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Wide Turn Truck Accidents

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Wide Turn Truck Accident Lawyers in Tuscaloosa

There are several challenges that truckers must learn to handle while on the road. One of these challenges is making turns. Often, turns made in semis and other large commercial trucks must go wide. Unfortunately, sometimes these turns are performed poorly, leading to damaged curbs, damaged property, and even harm to other drivers. In this event, both the driver who made the judgment in error on the turn and their employer may be held financially responsible for the damage caused. If you’ve been the victim of a wide turn truck accident, then it’s your right to seek compensation. This is where wide turn truck accident attorneys come in. The law firm of Prince Glover Hayes is here to ensure you get a full understanding of Alabama’s laws on 18 wheeler regulations along the way.

 

Why Do Wide Turn Accidents Happen?

For many large commercial trucks, turning wide is a necessity when it comes to navigating the road. This is due to the off-tracking of the trailer, which does not exactly follow the course of the truck itself during turns. Taking a wide turn is utilized to prevent the driver from clipping curbs, mailboxes, and hitting other drivers with its trailer, but the front end of the truck can still cause damage as well. These accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, including:

  • The truck swings too far out into oncoming traffic and causes a head-on collision. It is legal for trucks in Alabama to make wide turns, but a driver must take the time to ensure traffic is clear and that the wide turn is actually necessary before making it. Otherwise, collisions are likely.

  • Driver error. Navigating turns in such large vehicles isn’t an easy job, and slip-ups can happen. This can be due to unfamiliarity with a particular road or a lack of training. Regardless of the cause, the driver is liable for the accident – even if it was an honest mistake.

  • Driving under the influence. A driver under the influence of any drug or alcohol has a longer reaction time to challenges on the road. Their ability to gauge the distance to another car and to calculate the turn properly will be impaired. Drivers under the influence who cause accidents must be brought to justice in order to protect other drivers on the road. Seeking legal counsel in these cases is imperative.

  • Unawareness of the trailer. For new drivers, especially, taking the path of the trailer itself into account is sometimes overlooked. In these instances, the truck itself might not cause a collision, but the trailer can cause damage to other vehicles.

While these are the most common causes of accidents with trucks making wide turns, there are a handful of other reasons. Other reasons can include driver fatigue from being on the road for too many hours, improper maintenance on the truck itself, the driver being distracted behind the wheel, and even improper loading. Regardless of the cause, if the truck caused the accident and you experienced injury or property damage, you’re entitled to demand compensation.

 

What Types of Injuries Occur From Wide Turn Accidents?

Even at low turning speeds, large commercial trucks have the power to do considerable damage to other cars and drivers. Some common injuries from wide turn accidents include:

  • Serious head and brain injuries

  • Neck and back injuries, including being paralyzed

  • Broken, bruised or cracked ribs and other torso damage

  • Broken bones throughout the body

  • Internal damage to vital organs

  • Serious lacerations and bruising

  • Whiplash

Many of these injuries are life-threatening, and at the very least, may require years of ongoing treatment to help victims deal with pain and other health issues that arise from the accident.

These injuries often lead to a temporary or permanent loss of work for the victims, which impacts their financial stability as well as their overall health. In some cases, wrongful death may also occur. This is precisely why no victim should abstain from taking the proper legal action in these cases.

 

How Are Wide Turn Accidents Different Than Others?

The reason why commercial trucks cause severe injuries during a collision is due to their overwhelming size and weight. An 18 wheeler transporting a full load can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and still comply with the Unites States’ and Alabama’s regulations for trucking. The average small car weighs just 2,871 pounds, meaning a fully loaded truck is between 30 and 40 times its weight. The sheer difference in size between these types of vehicles is what’s responsible for such extreme destruction and injury in these cases.

 

What Do I Do If I’m the Victim of a Wide Turn Accident?

If you or a family member have experienced injury or death in the wake of a wide-turn accident with a commercial truck, Prince Glover Hayes is here to ensure you’re getting the representation you need to get the compensation you deserve from both the driver and their employer. Contact us to learn more about our services and speak with an experienced attorney about your wide-turn case to get the results you need in these life-changing situations.

 

What Success Has Prince Glover Hayes had with Wide Turn Truck Accident Cases?

PGH attorney Matt Glover successfully settled a case in 2018 involving an 18 wheeler who made a wide turn and collided with our client. The collision occurred in Geneva County, Alabama and was referred to Matt by an attorney in that county. This is just one example of the numerous attorneys across the state of Alabama who refer 18 wheeler truck wreck cases to Matt. These attorneys are aware of Matt’s reputation for successfully representing injured people against truck drivers and trucking companies.

PGH attorney Robert Prince successfully settled a case in 2017 involving an 18 wheeler who was in a left hand turn lane when our client , riding his motorcycle, was traveling in the right hand lane. The 18 wheeler suddenly made a right hand turn and our client slammed on his brakes locking up his motorcycle which in turn caused his motorcycle to fall on its side and slide in the direction of the 18 wheeler. Our client was thrown from the motorcycle and rolled down the roadway. The driver of the 18 wheeler was unable to make the right turn without swinging outside due to a telephone pole near the roadway. This collision happened within the city limits of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

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