Can You Sue for a Wide Turn Truck Accident?

All 18-wheelers need extra space to make turns at tight intersections. Many other large commercial trucks need space to make wide turns as well. Unfortunately, many truck drivers misjudge how much space they need—and, as a result, they end up causing accidents that could (and should) have been avoided. 

If you have been injured in a wide turn truck accident, can (and should) you sue?

In many cases, the answer is a clear “Yes.” When truck drivers make mistakes behind the wheel, they (and their employers) can generally be held accountable. But, in order to sue, you will need evidence that the truck driver made a mistake, and this makes it important to conduct a comprehensive investigation as soon as possible. 

Determining if You Can Sue for a Wide Turn Truck Accident Involving a Commercial Truck 

In cases involving wide turn truck accidents, various forms of truck driver negligence may be to blame. But, in order to seek just compensation, you must be able to prove the specific form of negligence that is responsible for your accident-related losses. With this in mind, some examples of potential causes of truck accidents involving wide turns include:

• Failing to Make a Wide Enough Turn – Many wide turn truck accidents happen because the truck driver fails to make a wide enough turn. When this happens, other vehicles can get pinned inside of the truck’s turning radius, or vehicles waiting at the intersection can get hit by the truck head-on when it runs out of room to complete the turn safely. 
• Failing to Signal Properly – When commercial truck drivers need room to make wide turns, they need to signal appropriately. If a truck driver fails to signal a wide turn properly, this can cause unsuspecting drivers to pull up alongside the truck and get stuck with no way to avoid being hit. 
• Failing to Check for Other Vehicles – Along with failing to signal properly, failing to check for other vehicles is a common cause of wide turn truck accidents as well. Far too often, truck drivers assume that no other vehicles are there, or that any other drivers will get out of their way. 
• Going Too Fast or Making Too Wide a Turn – When a truck driver approaches a wide turn too fast, the truck’s momentum can carry it into vehicles waiting at the intersection. Likewise, if a truck driver makes too wide a turn, this can also leave other drivers helpless to avoid a serious collision. 
• Running a Red Light or Stop Sign – Running red lights and stop signs are common causes of many types of commercial truck accidents—wide turn truck accidents included. If a truck driver attempts to make a wide turn without the right of way, this can also leave law-abiding drivers helpless to protect themselves from serious accident-related injuries. 

If any of these (or any other) truck driving mistakes are to blame for your wide turn truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation under Arkansas law. Once you hire an experienced truck accident lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to conduct a thorough investigation focused on proving the specific mistake that is to blame for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses. 

Suing for a Wide Turn Truck Accident in Arkansas

Regardless of the specific issue that is to blame for your losses, you will need comprehensive evidence of liability. You will also need evidence of the losses (past, present, and future) you are entitled to recover. 

This evidence can take many different forms, and it can be available from many different sources. For example, when it comes to proving liability for a wide turn truck accident, the types of evidence you may need include:

• The truck driver’s employment records and driving log
• The truck driver’s cell phone records
• The trucking company’s maintenance records and other internal documents 
• Forensic evidence from the accident scene
• Traffic or surveillance camera footage 

Proving your accident-related losses will require your medical records, employment records, and various other forms of documentation as well. Given that this is the case—and given that you could be facing substantial losses as a result of your accident—we strongly recommend that you discuss your situation with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Discuss Your Wide Turn Truck Accident Case with a Rogers Truck Accident Lawyer for Free

At Oliver Law Firm, our Arkansas truck accident lawyers have extensive experience representing truck accident victims and their families. We have the knowledge, skill, and resources needed to take on the difficult and complex cases. If you need help after a wide turn truck accident, we encourage you to contact us today. 

Contact Oliver Law Firm today online or at (479) 202-5200 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients across Arkansas and throughout the United States from our office in Rogers, AR.