Commercial trucks often take wide turns that occupy an additional lane of traffic, putting other motorists at risk of injury in the event of a collision. Moreover, a truck driver who lacks the requisite skills and training to maneuver a wide turn, or fails to exercise due care, can cause a rollover accident, crushing the victim’s vehicle with tragic consequences.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a wide turn truck accident in California, contact J&Y Law. We are highly experienced in handling truck accident claims and have a proven history of achieving significant settlements and jury awards. When you consult with us, we will offer you knowledge, compassion, and dependable service. Above all, we will work tirelessly to hold the party responsible for your injuries accountable and help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
Because we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll on you and your family, we will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we win compensation for you. Please contact our office today for a free evaluation of your case.
Risk of Wide Turn Truck Accidents in California
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), California is the state with the second-highest number of fatal truck accidents each year, and tractor-trailer accidents account for almost 9 percent of all traffic accidents in the state.
Given that the length of a tractor-trailer can be up to 75 feet, a substantial amount of space is needed to make a turn: a right-hand turn is particularly dangerous when a sharp 90-degree angle is involved or there is a utility pole or another object in the way.
A common wide turn accident scenario may involve another vehicle squeezing along the truck’s right side to pass or attempting to make a right turn while the tractor-trailer is turning, referred to as a “right turn squeeze.” More often, however, the truck driver’s inexperience or negligence is the cause of a wide turn accident.
For a free legal consultation with a wide turn truck accident lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (877) 735-7035
Common Causes
Driver error is a leading cause of wide turn accidents involving commercial trucks, including:
- Swinging too widely
- Not slowing down
- Failing to check blind spots
- Not using the turn signal
- Not waiting for clearance to make the turn
- Swinging into moving, oncoming traffic
Other factors that contribute to wide turn truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving/driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence
- Driving with malfunctioning mirrors, lights, or signals
- Lack of familiarity with the roads in the area
- Improper/inadequate training or inexperience
To minimize the risk of accidents, the truck driver should
- Be aware of the vehicles passing on the right
- Avoid swinging turns as far as possible
- Navigate wide turns at slow speeds
- Use mirrors and signals
Regardless of the cause of the wide turn truck accident that caused your injuries, proving the driver’s fault and getting fair compensation can be challenging. There are complicated rules and procedures to follow and these cases often involve detailed negotiations with an insurance company. This is where J&Y Law comes in.
We have the skills, experience, and determination to fight for your rights. The sooner you contact our office for a free consultation, the sooner we can start working on your wide turn truck accident claim.
Los Angeles Wide Turn Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 735-7035
Liability in a California Wide Turn Truck Accident
Depending on the circumstances, both the trucker and the trucking company can be held liable for damages with the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer. First, the truck driver can be held liable for a wide turn accident if he or she failed to check the blind spot, drove an overloaded truck, or was speeding while making the turn.
Additionally, the trucking company can be held liable under the legal theory of vicarious liability if the truck driver caused the wide turn accident during work hours. Under this theory, an employer can be held indirectly liable for the negligent conduct of an employee. Moreover, the trucking company can be held directly liable if it was negligent in the course of hiring, training, or supervising the driver
Finally, both the trucking company and the truck driver can be held liable if the wide turn accident was caused by a mechanical failure, such as malfunctioning brakes. Depending on the circumstances, it may also be possible to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or distributor of any defective parts that may have contributed to the truck accident.
It is important to note that personal injury claims in California are governed by the theory of comparative negligence, which holds that if you were partially at fault for the wide turn truck accident (e.g. trying to pass on the right side), you can still recover damages; however, your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Ultimately, it takes an aggressive truck accident attorney to help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
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Contact Our Experienced California Wide Turn Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a wide turn truck accident, you probably have concerns about recovering and covering your medical and household expenses. That’s the time to contact J&Y Law. When you become our client, your claim will be personally handled by an experienced truck accident attorney and our legal team will handle all the details. Above all, we will work to help you obtain the resources you need to stabilize your future. Please contact our office today so we can start working on your wide turn truck accident claim.
Call or text (877) 735-7035 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
