Tractor-trailers are large, heavy vehicles that take up a lot of space on the road. When they attempt to make a U-turn, the risk of a crash increases sharply. These turns are especially dangerous on busy roads, highways, or during low visibility. Even when done slowly, a semi truck making a wide turn can easily block traffic or cause a serious crash with smaller vehicles.
Krebs Law Personal Injury Lawyers helps victims who were hurt in these preventable collisions. If you were hit during a U-turn truck accident, you may be dealing with pain, lost wages, or high medical bills. You shouldn’t have to handle the legal process alone, especially when trucking companies and their insurers try to avoid responsibility. Our team knows how to hold truck drivers and motor carriers accountable.
We explain why U-turns are so dangerous, who may be at fault, and what to do if you're injured in a trucking accident involving this risky and often illegal maneuver.
Large trucks were not designed to safely execute U-turns in most road settings. The size and speed of a semi truck can make this move one of the most dangerous maneuvers a truck driver can attempt in traffic.
Tractor-trailers need a wide space to turn. When a truck driver tries to make a U-turn, the trailer can swing out and block multiple lanes. Long vehicles also have large blind spots, which make it hard for the driver to see other vehicles coming from the side or rear.
This is especially dangerous if a passenger vehicle or motorcycle is in a blind spot during the turn. Because of the truck’s size, the driver's actions can trap or sideswipe cars trying to pass. Truck drivers must be constantly aware of their surroundings, but many are not adequately trained to handle U-turns safely.
These blind spots and turning limits are a big reason uncontrolled U-turns lead to serious crashes.
A semi truck cannot move quickly, especially when making a turn across traffic. During a U-turn, the truck may take 10–20 seconds, or more, to cross all lanes. That delay puts other drivers at risk, especially on highways or two-lane roads with high speeds.
Cars may not expect a large truck to be stopped across lanes. Some drivers may try to brake, swerve, or speed up to avoid the trailer, which increases the chance of a crash. When the truck blocks the road during a U-turn, it creates a hazard that wasn’t there seconds before.
Even if the turn isn’t illegal, it can still be negligent if the truck was moving too slowly or chose an unsafe time to make a U-turn.
One of the biggest dangers of a U-turn truck accident is that the driver may not see fast-moving traffic until it’s too late. Many roads curve or have hills that block the line of sight. Add in weather, nighttime conditions, or poor lighting, and the problem gets worse.
If a truck driver starts to make a U-turn without seeing other vehicles coming, the result is often a violent crash. Unlike cars, trucks need more time and space to complete the turn, which gives oncoming vehicles little chance to stop in time.
These crashes are often severe because the car hits the side of the truck, causing a side-impact or even an underride accident.
Visibility is a serious concern in U-turn cases, especially at night or during fog, rain, or snow. When a truck is dark or not fully lit, it can blend into the background. Drivers may not realize a semi truck is across the road until they are seconds away.
Truck drivers have a duty to use proper lights, reflective markings, and hazard signals when making wide turns. When these safety steps are skipped, the risk of a crash rises, especially if the U-turn is happening in the dark or during a storm.
Trucking companies must also ensure their drivers are trained to avoid illegal U-turns in bad weather. Many truck accidents caused by poor visibility are preventable with better planning and training.
Several factors contribute to U-turn truck accidents. Many of these crashes happen because of poor judgment, lack of training, or risky decisions by truck drivers and trucking companies.
When a semi truck makes a U-turn in the wrong place or at the wrong time, it can lead to different types of serious crashes. These accidents often involve smaller vehicles that don't have time or space to avoid the truck.
A side-impact collision happens when a car crashes into the side of the truck during a U-turn. These are also called T-bone crashes. They often occur because the truck is blocking the road and the driver of the passenger vehicle doesn’t see it in time.
This type of crash is extremely dangerous. The side of a car provides very little protection during impact, especially against a large truck. These collisions are common in U-turn truck accident cases and often lead to broken bones, internal injuries, or worse. Truck drivers must be extra cautious before attempting to make a U-turn, especially on roads where cars travel fast and have limited visibility.
An underride accident happens when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a semi truck. This can occur if the truck is stretched across the road during a U-turn, especially at night or in poor weather. These crashes are among the deadliest in the trucking industry.
In many cases, the top of the car is crushed or torn off. Drivers and passengers often suffer serious injuries or die on the scene. Federal laws require reflective tape and guards to reduce underride crashes, but these rules don’t always prevent such collisions, especially when truck drivers attempt illegal U-turns or don’t use proper signals.
When a truck attempts to make a U-turn, other drivers behind it may need to brake quickly. If the truck stops or slows in the middle of traffic, it can cause rear-end collisions. These happen when a car crashes into the back of another vehicle, often at full speed.
In a U-turn accident case, rear-end crashes may involve several cars, especially if the road is crowded or visibility is low. Even if the truck didn’t get hit directly, its driver’s actions can still be the cause of the crash. This is why both truck drivers and motor carriers must follow safety rules and avoid blocking lanes while making U-turns.
On highways, one bad decision by a truck driver can cause a chain reaction. If a semi truck blocks traffic while trying to make a U-turn, other vehicles may crash into each other while trying to stop or swerve.
This can lead to a multi-car pileup. These pileups often involve high speeds, serious damage, and major injuries. They also make it harder to tell who is at fault, especially when multiple drivers involved blame one another.
However, when the crash started because of a risky or illegal U-turn, the trucking company or motor carrier may be legally responsible for all the harm that follows.
Liability in a U-turn truck accident depends on many factors. In most cases, the truck driver or the trucking company may be held responsible, especially if the U-turn was made unsafely, illegally, or in violation of traffic laws.
If the truck driver attempted a dangerous maneuver that blocked traffic, failed to check blind spots, or didn’t see other drivers, they may be considered negligent. This is especially true if the turn violated federal motor carrier safety rules or state laws that ban illegal U-turns.
In other cases, the motor carrier or employer may also be liable. If the company failed to train the driver, pushed them to meet unrealistic deadlines, or ignored prior safety violations, they could be responsible for the crash. Some trucking companies also allow drivers involved in past wrecks to keep driving, which increases the risk of future accidents.
Liability may also fall on other trucking companies, third-party maintenance providers, or even government agencies if poor road design contributed to the crash. Determining fault in a U-turn accident case requires a full investigation and strong legal representation.
Do I need a truck accident lawyer after a U-turn crash?
Yes. A truck accident lawyer can protect your rights and deal directly with the insurance company on your behalf. Truck accident cases often involve serious injuries and complex legal issues. A lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and fight to make sure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
What should I do at the accident scene after a truck U-turn crash?
If you're safe and able, take photos of the accident scene, including the position of the truck, damage to all vehicles, road signs, and weather conditions. Get contact details from witnesses, and call the police. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Then, contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How is a truck U-turn accident investigation different from a regular car crash?
A truck U-turn accident investigation is more involved. It may include reviewing driver logs, trucking company records, maintenance history, black box data, and federal motor carrier safety violations. Unlike regular car accidents, these cases often involve multiple parties and require a deeper look into training, policies, and industry regulations.
Can I still file a truck accident claim if the truck driver says I was at fault?
Yes. Even if the truck driver blames you, an attorney can investigate what really happened. Many U-turn truck accidents occur because the truck driver made an unsafe or illegal U-turn, blocked traffic, or misjudged oncoming vehicles. An experienced lawyer can help prove fault and build a strong truck accident claim.
Will the insurance company offer a fair settlement after a truck U-turn accident?
In many cases, no. The insurance company may try to offer less than you deserve or deny responsibility altogether. Their goal is to protect their profits, not your recovery. That’s why having a skilled truck accident lawyer is critical. They can negotiate on your behalf and push for fair compensation based on your injuries, losses, and long-term needs.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck U-turn accident, you deserve answers, support, and the chance to recover without added stress. These crashes often lead to high medical bills, lost income, and serious pain. You shouldn’t have to deal with the insurance company alone or accept less than what your case is worth.
At Krebs Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how to investigate the accident scene, gather strong evidence, and hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. We handle every part of your truck accident claim, from start to finish, so you can focus on healing.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation case review. We’ll explain your legal options clearly, fight for your rights, and work hard to get you the fair compensation you deserve. There are no fees unless we win your case.
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