Wide-Turn Accident Lawyers in Augusta
We have all seen a truck driver swing their vehicle into the next lane of traffic to perform a difficult turn or maneuver, especially a right-hand turn. These types of wide turns can cause accidents, and the unsuspecting occupants of cars in those neighboring lanes can be harmed as a result. If you were injured in a wreck with a truck that was caused by this sort of wide turn, you need a lawyer that specializes in wide-turn accidents – and you have come to the right place. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 to schedule a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer right away.
The Chris Hudson Law Group specializes in representing people who were injured in accidents with commercial trucks. We can help you understand the complexities of your case and what financial compensation you may be entitled to. Trucking companies and their insurance companies will aggressively defend these types of claims. We can take on those fights so that you don’t have to.
The Chris Hudson Law Group will investigate on your behalf, protect your rights, and help you get the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 today for a free consultation.
Why You Need a Lawyer Who Specializes in Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
If you have been hurt in a wide-turn trucking accident, you need to contact an attorney right away. There are time limits for filing a claim against the trucking company. Don’t let the trucking company win because you waited too long. There is also evidence that must be preserved so you can prove who was at fault for the accident and that your injuries were related to the accident. If crucial evidence goes missing or is forgotten over time, your claim may not be as strong as it could be. We can make sure all deadlines are met and that our investigation reveals and preserves all available evidence for your claim.
Trucking companies and their insurers will extend low offers to accident victims to try to save money. These insurance companies deal with thousands of wide-turn accident cases and have extensive experience in how to secure the best outcome for their bottom line. You need an attorney who has the skills, experience, and understanding to stand up to these companies. We can protect your rights against the insurance companies. We are not afraid to negotiate for the full value of your claim, and we are happy to go to trial if necessary so that you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Trucking accidents can cause severe physical injuries and also mental exhaustion. Focus on your recovery and let our experienced attorneys help you gain the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Chris Hudson Law Group?
The Chris Hudson Law Group has obtained millions of dollars in settlements and awards for our clients. We know these types of cases inside out and will use our experience to benefit you. We even have attorneys on our team who are former insurance defense attorneys. We know the tricks these companies use to try to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies only care about their bottom line and how much money it will cost them to respond to a claim. At The Chris Hudson Law Group, we care about you as a person and your needs and desires. We will fight for your rights after an accident and keep your goals in mind as we work to get appropriate compensation for you. We offer free initial consultations, so there is no risk to you in giving us a call. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
What’s a Wide-Turn Accident?
While we may think of high-speed accidents when we hear about trucking accidents, they also happen at low speeds, such as in a wide-turn accident. Due to the large size of trucks, they must approach some turns differently than a regular passenger vehicle does. If a trucker is not trained properly in these turns or is careless while turning, an accident may occur.
In a wide right-hand turn, the truck will move into the adjacent left lane so that they have enough room to turn right. This action often causes collisions when a truck driver does not manage it properly. When the space to the right of the truck opens up, a car can become wedged between the truck and the curb.
The truck can also fail to signal or can pull too far to the left, which can cause a head-on collision. Truckers are held to a higher standard of care than regular passenger vehicle drivers. Truckers are required to qualify for a different type of driver’s license than passenger drivers. This qualification requires training. Additionally, there are regulations that truckers must follow. Wide-turn accidents are avoidable if the truck driver takes precautions and is trained properly.
When a Trucker May Be at Fault
A trucker may be negligent in wide-turn accident situations where they fail to:
- Check their blind spots
- Position their mirrors to avoid most blind spots
- Use a turn signal
- Avoid swinging into oncoming traffic
- Utilize as little space as possible in their turn
- Wait for a time when traffic is clear
- Stay aware of their surroundings
- Remain free from alcohol or drugs
- Keep their trucks in good working order
- Adhere to the Hours of Service Regulations
Types of Injuries in a Wide-Turn Accident
Injuries sustained in a wide-turn trucking accident can be catastrophic and even life-ending. Some common injuries suffered in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal organ injuries
- Neck, back, and spine injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (including paralysis)
- Loss of limbs (amputation)
- Broken and fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
Accident victims will also have to deal with the emotional distress that a violent accident can leave behind. Emotional harm could include post-traumatic stress, pain and mental anguish, and more.
Types of Compensation
Once we determine the trucker was responsible for the wide-turn accident, we can request damages for the following and more:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Investigation of a Wide-Turn Accident
The Chris Hudson Law Group will thoroughly investigate your claim so that you can focus on recovering your health after your accident. We will request evidence related to the accident, such as the trucker’s logs, any video evidence, trucking company records, witness statements, and cell phone records.
There may be more than one party at fault in a wide-turn accident. The trucker may be at fault, but the trucking company may also be at fault. You may be able to recover compensation from both parties. A trucking company may be at fault due to reckless hiring practices, failure to properly supervise their truckers, failure to discipline negligent drivers, and inadequate training practices.
Due to the complexities of investigating a wide-turn accident, you need to hire an experienced attorney with knowledge of these types of accidents. The Chris Hudson Law Group is standing by to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve after you were injured through no fault of your own.
How Fault is Determined
Georgia is a modified comparative fault state. But what does that mean for you? This means that you can recover damages in your lawsuit if you were less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. This percentage of fault will also be used to calculate your damages in a trial. If you were 20 percent at fault, for example, your compensation would be reduced by 20 percent.
For example, if the court determines that you are owed $50,000 in damages but that you are 20% at fault for the accident, then you could be able to collect no more than $40,000 ($50,000 less 20%, or $10,000).
What does it mean for a trucker or trucking company to be at fault? For a trucker or trucking company to be at fault, they must have been negligent. A person or company is negligent when they have a duty to others that they fail to uphold, and damage results from that failure.
Truckers and trucking companies have a duty to drive safely, not endanger other drivers on the road, and follow the rules and laws put in place to regulate the trucking industry.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Wide-Turn Accidents
You likely have other questions. Following are some questions we often hear from our clients:
What should I do first after a wide-turn accident?
Get to a safe location and call 911 to request an emergency medical response. It is important that you protect yourself from further harm by getting to a safe location after the accident. You should then examine yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911.
What information should I get from the trucker?
Gather contact information from the trucker. Be sure to get good contact information from the trucker. Write down or take photos of the trucker’s driver’s license number, insurance carrier, license plate, phone number, and the company they work for. Also, take notice of the outward presentation of the trucker. Do they seem tired or absent-minded? Make any notes if they act strangely. This information may be important later.
What should I take photos of after the accident?
Document as much as possible. Take photos of all vehicles involved, any traffic signs, any stoplights, and the condition of the road. Be sure to take photos from multiple angles to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you’re able, take photos of your injuries, as well.
Do I need a lawyer if I’ve been injured in a wide-turn accident?
For better results, the short answer is YES. Trucking companies and their insurance companies have teams of aggressive lawyers ready to fight on their behalf. They will try to take advantage of you if you do not have a lawyer. According to the Insurance Research Council, those victims that employ a lawyer get on average 3.5 times more in settlement money than do those who do not have a lawyer. Don’t miss out on the money you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Don’t let the trucking company’s lawyers take advantage of you. You are entitled to compensation that will help you recover and get back to what your life was like before the accident. Let us help.
Contact us today at (706) 863-6600 to schedule your free consultation with the experienced truck accident lawyers of the Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, GA.