Wide Turn Truck Accidents In Atlanta: Why These Crashes Are So Common
A tractor-trailer making a right turn at an Atlanta intersection takes up far more space than most drivers expect. To complete the turn, the driver must first swing wide to the left before cutting back to the right, a maneuver that can trap, crush, or collide with vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians that the driver never sees.
Our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers explain why these crashes are so common in our area, who can be held liable, and evidence you can use when filing a claim.
Why Wide Turn Truck Accidents Are Common on Atlanta Roads
Commercial trucks can stretch 70 feet or longer, which means that navigating a right turn requires a calculated approach. When truck drivers fail to make these turns properly, the consequences can be catastrophic for motorists, cyclists, and others nearby.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) warns that making improper turns is a recurring factor in large truck crashes, which can result in severe, potentially life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, busy city streets and heavy commercial traffic on corridors like I-285 and I-75 surrounding our area make these crashes more likely to happen.
Common causes of wide turn truck accidents in Atlanta include:
- Swinging too far left before the turn, pushing into oncoming traffic, or adjacent lanes.
- Not checking mirrors and blind spots for cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
- Misjudging the turning radius needed for the trailer to clear curbs and barriers.
- Speeding through an intersection reduces the driver’s ability to control the turn.
- Distracted driving prevents the driver from monitoring surrounding traffic.
Under Georgia law, when a wide turn truck accident in Atlanta happens, you have the right to hold those at fault liable.
Who Is Liable When a Truck’s Wide Turn Causes an Atlanta Crash?
Wide turn truck accidents in Atlanta can cause devastating injuries. Liability often extends beyond the driver alone, particularly when inadequate training or pressure to maintain delivery schedules contributed to the accident.
The FMCSA requires commercial drivers to complete training on safe turning procedures as part of their commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements. When a trucking company fails to provide training or ignores a driver’s history of turning violations, they can face liability as well. Evidence you can use to hold them accountable includes:
- Traffic camera and intersection surveillance footage.
- Truck black box data to establish speed and braking patterns.
- The driver’s CDL training records and prior violation history.
- Trucking company logs and schedules.
To hold those at fault liable and get the total amount you need to recover, get legal help right away.
Request A Consultation With Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers
When wide turn truck accidents in Atlanta happen, the trucker and the trucking company may be liable in a claim. At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, we investigate these crashes, protect victims’ rights, and help them make the maximum recovery.
Contact our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers today to request a consultation. We represent clients in Savannah, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Marietta, and throughout DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Fulton Counties.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/research-and-analysis/research/large-truck-crash-causation-study
georgiacourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Apportionment-of-Damages-Terry.pdf
fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt
