Orlando, FL Wide Turn Truck Accident Attorneys

Experienced Attorneys for People Injured in Truck Accidents Caused by Dangerous Turns in Orlando, FL

Commercial trucks are an essential part of our nation's infrastructure, but when they are not operated correctly, people may be injured in truck accidents. These massive vehicles require significantly more space than passenger vehicles to complete turns and other routine maneuvers. Trucks often need to make wide turns, and when these turns are performed carelessly or without taking proper precautions, they may collide with other vehicles. Accidents involving wide turns can cause devastating injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Doan Law Firm provides legal assistance to people who have been injured in wide-turn truck accidents in Orlando and the surrounding areas. We help victims identify negligent behavior by truck drivers or their employers, and we work to recover full and fair compensation for the injuries and damages that they have suffered.

Why Do Trucks Need to Make Wide Turns?

Due to their length and size, large trucks must make wider turns than standard vehicles, especially when turning right. Semi-trailer trucks, tankers, and delivery trucks will need more space to make sure their cabs and trailers will remain on the road when turning. To accommodate this, truck drivers may swing left before turning right, or they may require extra space on either side to complete a turn safely.

While these turns are necessary, they are also inherently dangerous. When drivers misjudge distances, do not check blind spots, or fail to use turn signals to indicate their intentions to other drivers, the results can be catastrophic.

How Wide Turns Can Cause Serious Accidents

When they are not performed correctly, wide turns can put multiple road users at risk. These turns may lead to dangerous situations such as:

  • Right-Turn Accidents: A vehicle, cyclist, or motorcyclist traveling in the right lane may be trapped between the truck and a curb or guardrail if the truck swings left before making a sharp right turn.
  • Lane Encroachment: During wide left turns, a truck may enter oncoming traffic lanes or adjacent lanes, leading to head-on collisions or sideswipes.
  • Blind Spot Collisions: A truck may strike a vehicle in its blind spot while initiating a wide turn, especially if the driver fails to check their mirrors.
  • Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians in a crosswalk or walking near an intersection may be run over if a driver does not see them or misjudges the path that their trailer will follow during a turn.
  • Underride Accidents: Another vehicle may become trapped under a truck's trailer during a wide turn, causing its occupants to suffer severe injuries.
  • Property Damage and Secondary Crashes: Trucks that collide with signs, parked vehicles, or structures may create debris or obstacles that can lead to additional accidents.

Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, a turn that is performed incorrectly can result in severe injuries and property damage, even if a truck is traveling at a low speed.

Injuries in Wide-Turn Truck Accidents

The injuries that drivers, passengers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians may experience in wide-turn truck accidents are often severe, and they may include:

  • Crush injuries when a vehicle is trapped between a truck and a guardrail, which may lead to broken bones, severe lacerations, or amputations
  • Traumatic brain injuries due to the impact of a truck or being thrown from a bicycle or motorcycle
  • Bodily harm caused by the force of a collision, including spinal cord injuries or internal organ damage
  • Psychological trauma, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fear of returning to driving or cycling

Truck Driver Negligence in Wide-Turn Accidents

Truck drivers must receive training on how to operate trucks safely, including the procedures that must be followed when performing wide turns. When these procedures are ignored, or when drivers act carelessly, accidents are likely to occur. Negligent actions that can lead to wide-turn collisions include:

  • Failing to check mirrors and blind spots
  • Not using turn signals or failing to signal in time
  • Turning without ensuring that the adjacent lane is clear
  • Attempting a turn in a space that is too narrow
  • Speeding into a turn or misjudging a truck's turning radius
  • Swinging too far into another lane or opposing traffic
  • Being distracted, fatigued, or under the influence

In some cases, trucking companies may also bear liability. For example, if a company failed to provide adequate training or enforced unrealistic delivery schedules that encouraged drivers to hurry, victims may be able to hold the company responsible for accidents caused by the company's negligence.

Contact Our Orlando Wide Turn Truck Accident Attorneys

Following an accident that took place when a truck was making a wide turn, the lawyers at The Doan Law Firm can investigate the causes of the crash, identify all liable parties, and help victims receive financial compensation that will address their losses. You can discuss these matters in a free consultation with our attorneys. Set up your consultation today by contacting our office at 407-289-0000.

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