A truck driver, their employer, and other parties can be held responsible for a wide-turn truck accident. To determine who is liable for your accident, consult with an attorney. Then, a North Charleston truck accident lawyer can review the facts of your case.
With over a decade of personal injury case experience, the Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you determine liability in your wide-turn truck accident. Let our legal team evaluate your case. Contact us today to get started.
What Is a Wide Turn?
Sometimes called a “swing turn,” a wide turn refers to a driving maneuver in which the person behind the wheel uses extra space to go left or right. Generally, a trucker will make this type of turn to avoid hitting other vehicles and pedestrians. They may also use it to prevent their vehicle from hopping or striking a curb.
If a trucker is not paying attention or makes other mistakes behind the wheel, they can cause a wide turn accident. For example, a truck driver does not look both ways before turning their vehicle. During the turn, the trucker slams their vehicle into a car and can be liable for a wide turn accident.
For those who get hurt in a truck accident in which a trucker is making a wide turn, seek legal help. The Shelly Leeke Law Firm will protect your rights after a truck accident. To learn more, reach out to us.
Why Do Trucks Need to Make Wide Right Turns?
Wide right turns may be necessary to ensure that a trucker can safely move their vehicle. There are many reasons why truck drivers choose to make wide right turns versus standard ones. These include:
- Blind Spots: With a wide turn, a trucker has a better view of their vehicle’s blind spots and can see if other vehicles or pedestrians are nearby.
- Center of Gravity: Turning wide can raise a truck’s center of gravity, reducing the risk that the vehicle will tip or roll over.
- Turning Radius: By turning wide, a truck has a larger turning radius, making it less likely than before that the truck driver will hit other vehicles, pedestrians, or curbs.
If you are involved in a wide-turn truck accident, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney. You may need a lawyer for your South Carolina truck accident claim since they can help you identify any at-fault parties. Your attorney can also calculate your losses and work with you to pursue the most damages possible.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Wide Turn Truck Accident?
The at-fault party depends on your accident. A South Carolina truck accident attorney can examine your case in detail and identify any liable parties. Some of the parties that could be at fault for your accident include:
- Trucker
- Truck company
- Other drivers
- Truck manufacturer
- Cargo loader
- Government entity
Regardless of who is responsible for your wide-turn truck accident, your lawyer will help you achieve the best possible case results. They can hold any at-fault parties accountable for their negligence. Plus, your attorney can help you prepare a body of evidence that may compel a judge or jury to award full damages.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Someone Is Responsible for a Wide Turn Truck Accident?
After your truck accident, preserving your evidence at the scene is critical. You may use accident scene photos and videos to highlight the severity of your accident and injuries. Other proof you can use to support your case includes:
- Police reports.
- Witness statements.
- Medical records.
- Black box data from a truck.
- Truck driver log books.
- Video footage from inside of a truck cab.
It is your responsibility to prove that a trucker or another at-fault party broke the law. If you have an abundance of evidence, it may be clear to a judge or jury that you are in no way liable for a wide-turn truck accident. Along with this, the defendant in your case may be inclined to propose a fair settlement.
What Should You Do if You Are Involved in a Wide Turn Truck Accident?
Try to remain calm and focus on what you can do at the moment to get through your accident. This will help you avoid further injury and minimize the risk of doing anything that could compromise your case against any liable parties. Here are some of the things you should do right after your accident:
- Request medical help. Call 911 to bring medical professionals to the accident scene to evaluate and treat you and anyone else who may be hurt.
- Discuss your accident with the police. Tell the police your side of the story, and they will use this and other information from your accident to prepare a report.
- Get the truck driver’s information. Ask the trucker for their contact, driver’s license, and insurance information so you can file a claim in the near future.
- Notify your insurance company. Tell your insurer about your accident, and they can help you with your automobile insurance claim.
- Contact a lawyer. Share information about your accident with an attorney, and they can represent you as you try to collect damages.
- Continue to receive medical care. Keep going to the doctor and getting medical care, and track your expenses since you may be able to get compensation for these as part of your claim.
In addition to these things, do not take responsibility for a wide-turn truck accident. You may be eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses. By accepting some or full responsibility, you could hurt your chances of getting compensation from any liable parties.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Sue Any Parties Responsible for a Wide Turn Truck Accident
At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we understand the short- and long-term impact of a truck accident. Our legal team can help you hold any negligent parties liable for actions that led to your wide-turn truck accident. Contact us to schedule a free case consultation.
