Due to the size, length, and configuration of commercial vehicles including flatbed trucks and semi tractor trailers, it can be both difficult and dangerous to execute or complete a right hand turn. Many streets and turns are not wide enough for a commercial truck driver to safely complete the right hand turn without first making a turn to the left to then turn right to make the right hand turn. This is often referred to as a wide turn by the truck driver. When making the right hand turn, it is often necessary for the truck driver to occupy in part or whole the left lane or lanes adjacent to the lane in which the truck began the turn from.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, David Wolf is a personal injury and truck accident attorney with over 30 years of experience. He has handled cases throughout the State of Florida. David Wolf is the author of the book - Big Trucks - Big Problems - When a Truck Driver Wrecks Your Day and Life - Legal Rights of the Injury Victim and Family. This book has chapters on Florida Truck Driving - Rules of the Road, Safety, Negligence, and Crashes and other topics. You can get this book for free at Big Trucks - Big Problems.
Unfortunately for other drivers on the road, the execution of the wide truck by a truck driver can involve a violation of the right of way by the other drivers. It is important that a truck driver make sure that the lanes that the truck driver utilities to make a right hand turn are clear and that the truck driver clearly by the turn signal and the actions indicate to the drivers that the truck driver is executing a right hand turn. In some instances, the truck driver side swipes a vehicle heading in the same direction in a lane adjacent to the truck driver OR side swipes a vehicle heading towards the truck driver in the adjacent lane or lanes. When the actions of the truck driver are not clear in the making of a right turn, another driver may be driving in the right lane thinking that the truck driver is actually making a left hand turn. This is commonly referred to as a squeeze play.
It should be noted that Florida is a comparative fault state as to the law on personal injury cases involving automobile accidents and truck accidents. In other words, a case or claim can be pursued even if the truck driver is not 100 % at fault. Liability or fault can be apportioned to two or more drivers in a car accident or truck accident. It should also be noted that the findings of the police office are not binding on the respective parties. As such, even if the police officer does not issue a citation to the truck driver for careless driving or violation of a right of way, the injury victim still can pursue a case or claim for personal injuries. It is still the duty of the injury victim to prove some kind of fault by the truck driver; however, the case is not dependent per se on the findings or conclusion of the responding officer to the crash scene.
Contact Florida Truck Accident Attorney David Wolf for a Free Consultation. He is available days, nights, weekends, and holidays to his clients and prospective clients. If you have questions and need help, contact David Wolf right now on by calling or texting him at (904) 500-9653. You can also send him an e-mail at dwolf@davidalanwolf.com David Wolf firmly believes in Giving a Voice to Injury Victims and Their Families. Get D Wolf On Your Side - At Your Side.