What To Do If A Wide Turn By A Truck Forced Your Vehicle To Roll Over?
If a wide turn by a truck forced your vehicle to roll over, report the accident to the police and seek medical attention. Then, move to a secure location, document everything (including photos/videos), and exchange information with the eyewitnesses. This evidence protects your legal rights and supports your insurance claims and personal injury case.
With over 32 years of experience, our truck accident lawyers at Todd Miner Law help accident victims like you seek compensation after wide-turn rollover accidents. We prove truck drivers’ negligence, analyze collisions, and calculate compensation for serious injuries and vehicle damage. Call 407-894-1480 for immediate legal assistance throughout Orlando, including Clermont and Daytona Beach.
What Steps Should You Take If a Truck Forced You Into a Rollover Crash?
After a rollover accident with a truck, call 911 and document the accident scene with photos and videos from multiple angles. Also, capture visible damage to your vehicle, including skid marks and debris from the other car, as well as the surrounding road conditions.
After that, check for nearby security or surveillance cameras. Then, contact your insurance company and review your auto insurance policy. Most importantly, consult a personal injury attorney to secure your compensation. Here’s how taking the right steps after a truck-related rollover can strengthen your legal claim:
- Call 911: Calling 911 creates an official police report documenting the accident and any traffic violations. This report is essential for supporting your insurance claim and legal case.
- Take Photos and Videos: Capture vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, debris, truck position, and trailer movement. This visual evidence helps recreate the accident and supports insurance and legal claims.
- Seek Medical Attention: See a doctor even if you feel fine, as injuries like whiplash or head trauma may appear later. Moreover, medical records provide proof of your injuries in court.
- Look for Nearby Security Cameras: Check traffic cameras, home surveillance, truck dashcams, or parking lot cameras. According to a 2017 study, police used video evidence in 45% of cases and found it helpful in 65% of those.
- Consult Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers: Contact our lawyers immediately after a wide-turn accident. We gather evidence, speak with witnesses, manage insurance communications, and pursue full compensation for your losses.
What Safety Rules Do Truck Drivers Have to Follow While Making Turns?
In Florida, truck drivers are required to stay in the proper lane, use a turn signal to indicate they are making a lane change, and carefully check blind spots and rearview mirrors for other vehicles. For example, under Florida Statutes §316.155, drivers must signal their intention to turn at least 100 feet before the turn, giving other road users time to see and react.
Moreover, under Florida Statutes §316.122, a driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic before completing the turn. Failure to do so can make the driver responsible for any resulting accident. Similarly, according to Florida Statutes § 316.1515, a driver may not make a U-turn unless the turn can be made safely without disrupting other traffic.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Wide-Turn Truck Rollover Crash?
You can hold multiple parties liable after a wide-turn truck rollover crash, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck manufacturers. The truck driver is responsible if they violate traffic laws or safety rules, such as speeding or negligent driving. They can also be held liable if they make an improper wide turn that directly causes your vehicle to roll over.
Additionally, if the trucking company fails to enforce safety regulations, maintain its vehicles, or properly train its drivers, it can also be held liable. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, the company may be held vicariously liable for the actions of its employees. To prove vicarious liability, you must prove that the driver was performing work-related duties during the truck accident. Similarly, truck manufacturers can also face liability under product liability laws if defects in the truck caused the accident. These defects might include:
- Faulty brakes
- Steering or suspension failures
- Defective tires
- Design flaws
- Malfunctioning lights or signals
- Electronic stability control failures
At Todd Miner Law, our experienced truck accident attorneys carefully review supporting evidence to identify all parties involved in the truck accident. Once liable parties are identified, we file claims against each party to pursue compensation. Contact us for a free case review today.
How Do Truck Accident Lawyers Calculate Pain and Suffering After a Rollover Crash?
To calculate your pain and suffering, accident lawyers use the multiplier method and the per diem method. They also assess your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and the impact of the crash on your daily life. This helps assign a fair monetary value to the physical and emotional impact of the rollover accident.
When Should You Settle or File a Lawsuit After a Wide-Turn Truck Rollover?
If the initial settlement offer fully covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you should accept it. However, if the offer does not cover all expenses, you should consider filing a lawsuit to pursue full compensation. Other than that, you should accept the initial offer if it accounts for future medical treatment, long-term disability, rehabilitation costs, and any other accident-related expenses.
Accepting the initial settlement also prevents unnecessary delays and legal expenses. But if the insurer undervalues your injuries or delays payments, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to secure fair and timely compensation. In such cases, you can contact our lawyers at Todd Miner Law for legal guidance. We will review your case free of cost, protect your rights, and represent you in court with strong evidence.
What If the Truck Driver Claims You Were in Their Blind Spot?
If a truck driver claims you were in their blind spot after a collision, you can still hold them responsible by proving that you were legally visible in your lane. For example, dashcam footage or traffic camera recordings showing your car’s exact position at the time of the turn can support your claim.
You must also prove that the driver failed to properly check their mirrors and monitor the truck’s blind spots before making the wide turn. To prove the driver’s negligence and support your claim, you should take the following steps:
- Collect witness statements from nearby drivers, pedestrians, or passengers.
- Examine vehicle damage patterns to determine the angle and point of impact.
- Consult accident reconstruction experts to recreate the crash and show driver negligence.
- Review the truck’s onboard camera or telematics data for evidence of driver actions.
- Check for any prior safety violations or traffic tickets for improper turning by the driver.
If You’re Unsure What to Do After a Rollover Accident, Todd Miner Law Firm Can Help — Get a Free Consultation!
After a wide-turn rollover crash, you might feel stressed and confused about what to do next. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of this confusion and offer a quick settlement that does not fully cover your damages. Moreover, you might not be able to collect important evidence like the official police report, telematics data, and surveillance footage without legal assistance.
At Todd Miner Law, we handle every aspect of your case, from gathering evidence to managing insurance communications. We subpoena the official police report, secure dashcam footage, traffic camera videos, and truck telematics to prove fault and strengthen your case. Call 407-894-1480 or visit 915 Outer Rd, Orlando, FL 32814, United States for a free case review.
FAQs
What Should I Avoid Saying to the Trucking Company’s Insurance?
You should never admit fault or say you “feel fine” when speaking with insurance after a rollover truck accident in Florida. Moreover, don’t give a recorded statement before consulting with a lawyer. Insurers can use your statements to weaken your claim and reduce compensation. Therefore, keep your answers brief and seek legal guidance immediately to protect your claim.
Are Trucks Allowed To Make Wide Turns?
Yes, in Florida, trucks are allowed to make wide turns. Large commercial trucks often require extra space to turn safely due to their size and trailer geometry. However, truck drivers must stay in the proper lane and signal at least 100 feet before making a turn. Also, truck drivers are required to complete the turn near the right-hand curb while ensuring the safety of other motorists.
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
Most truck accident settlements range from about $50,000 to several million dollars, depending on the circumstances. In severe semi-truck crashes, settlements can exceed $5 million because of serious injuries and long-term effects on a victim’s life. Settlement amounts may also increase when cases involve lost wages, wrongful death, or permanent disability.
What if the Truck Was Turning From the Wrong Lane?
If the truck was turning from the wrong lane, the truck driver may be at fault for violating traffic laws. Under Florida law, commercial vehicles must make turns from the proper lane and ensure the maneuver can be completed safely. Failure to do so can lead to a serious crash and make the truck driver responsible for the resulting damages.
Do Wide-Turn Truck Accidents Happen More at Intersections?
Yes, wide-turn truck accidents happen frequently at intersections, especially four-way intersections. Large trucks need extra space to make turns, which can cause them to swing into adjacent lanes (lanes next to the truck’s lane) or oncoming traffic. Such accidents often result in serious damage due to the large size and weight of the truck.
Should You Accept a Quick Settlement Offer From the Trucking Insurer?
No, you should never accept the first insurance offer from a trucking insurance company. The initial offered amount may seem helpful, but it usually does not cover your medical expenses, lost wages, or ongoing medical treatment. Instead, carefully review the insurance settlement offer and consult our accident lawyer to ensure you receive fair compensation that fully covers your losses.
Can Poor Truck Maintenance Contribute to Wide-Turn Crashes?
Yes, poor truck maintenance can significantly increase the risk of wide-turn crashes. For example, worn brakes, steering problems, suspension issues, or malfunctioning lights can make it difficult for a truck driver to control the vehicle during a turn. This reduced vehicle control can directly lead to collisions, which may result in severe injuries like spinal cord injuries or broken bones.
