Illinois Wide Turn Truck Accidents
A wide-turn truck accident is one of the most common types of serious crashes in communities. They occur when a large commercial vehicle swings left before turning right. This often causes a car to become trapped between the side of the road and the truck, which then squeezes it. Understanding these accidents and who is at fault is essential for victims.
If you are hurt in a wide-turn truck accident, speak to a truck accident attorney in Chicago to protect your rights to recover fair damages.
Factors That Make Wide Turn Truck Accidents Risky
The size and shape of tractor-trailers make it harder for drivers to make right turns. They need more room to maneuver without striking cars. This often results in the truck driver swinging the tractor-trailer out to the left before they turn right. A typical semi-truck needs about 55 feet of space to make that right turn. When the turn is tight and cars are at the intersection, the truck must make this swing maneuver to turn.
When this happens, a squeeze play occurs. That refers to a smaller car that enters the right-hand lane next to the truck. The driver may believe the truck is turning left or going straight, and mistakenly positions themselves at the corner of that right-hand turn. This traps the car against the curb while the trailer turns.
Another factor that contributes to these accidents is truck blind spots. Trucks have numerous “no zones” or blind spots where truckers cannot see who is sitting in them. This typically includes about 20 feet in front of the truck cab, 200 feet behind the trailer, and along both the right and left sides. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the truck driver in their mirrors, they cannot see you.
If you were injured in this type of blind spot collision, a truck accident lawyer can help determine what happened.
Proving Fault in an Illinois Wide Turn Truck Accident
A full investigation is often necessary to determine who is at fault in an accident like this. It is very common for confusion to arise because of how the truck was maneuvering. The truck driver could be at fault in a number of situations, such as:
- Failing to signal
- Failing to check blind spots before turning
- Improperly positioning the truck in the lanes
- Not providing the right-of-way to another vehicle
In many cases, a truck making a wide turn is at fault simply because it is outside its lane and the other vehicle has the right of way. However, there are limitations on this.
The other driver could share some of the fault if they tried to squeeze past the truck or failed to heed the clear warning signs posted by the truck driver. Sometimes other parties are at fault, including cargo loading companies if cargo shifts and causes an accident, or trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. A Chicago truck accident attorney can help identify every liable party in your case.
The Importance of a Full Investigation After a Truck Accident in Illinois
Victims of wide-turn truck accidents benefit from the hands-on support of a truck accident lawyer. Your Chicago truck accident attorney will gather commercial black box information, witness statements, and other evidence to support your case and claim. Without their help, insurance companies may deny your claim or even blame you.
Call a truck accident attorney from Taxman, Pollock & Bkkerman today at (312) 586-1700 and request a free consultation. Our truck accident lawyers in Chicago will guide you, help determine your rights after an accident, and help protect your future.