Staying Safe When Trucks Make Wide Right Turns
For passenger vehicle drivers, sharing Ohio’s roads and highways with large trucks can be stressful. Beyond their much larger size, trucks handle much differently than smaller motor vehicles. You may have noticed warnings posted to the back of semi trucks warning you that they make wide right turns. But do you know why that is? Let’s address that question in detail so we can understand how to stay safe and avoid wide-turn truck accidents.
What Is a Wide Right Turn?
In the U.S., where we drive on the right side of the road, right-hand turns require a more acute angle of attack than left-hand turns. A wide right turn, also known as a swing turn or a tractor-trailer turn, is a maneuver where a large truck or semi-trailer compensates for this acute angle by swinging wide to the left before turning right. Doing so reduces the risk of the trailer hopping the curb or becoming stuck.
Why Do Trucks Need to Make Wide Right Turns?
Due to their size and configuration, large commercial trucks and semi-trailers have a significantly larger turning radius than passenger vehicles. The tractor portion and the trailer are connected by a hinge mechanism, which limits the sharpness of the turn they can make. By swinging wide to the left, the truck driver creates more room for the trailer to clear the right-hand corner without hitting anything.
How Can You Know a Truck Will Make a Wide Right Turn?
Experienced truck drivers typically signal their intention to make a wide right turn by activating their turn signal well in advance. They may also position their vehicle in the left or center lanes to prepare for the swing. Many large commercial trucks have a “Wide Right Turn” or “Swing Turn” sign on the back to alert other drivers. However, it’s always wise for other motorists to be cautious and give trucks ample space when they approach an intersection or corner.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Wide-Right-Turn Accident?
Legal liability for an accident caused by a wide right turn might rest with several different parties, including:
- The truck driver – If the driver fails to signal properly, misjudges the turn, forgets to check their blind spots, or acts negligently, they could be held responsible.
- The trucking company – Companies are responsible for properly training their drivers and ensuring their vehicles are well-maintained and safe for operation. They can be liable for their failure to meet these responsibilities.
- Government entities – In some cases, poorly planned intersections or lack of adequate signage could contribute to an accident, making the government entity responsible for designing or maintaining the roadway liable.
Contact our Akron Truck Accident Lawyers for Help
A truck accident can cause painful injuries that lead to an overwhelming mountain of medical bills. Truck accident victims often face extended periods off work, adding to their financial and psychological stress. If you’ve been injured in a wide-turn truck accident, you have the right to file a claim against them for compensation for these and other losses.
The experienced Akron truck accident lawyers at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. We are ready to put our experience handling truck accident cases to work for you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how our legal team can help you.
