Injured by a Wide-Turning Semi-Truck in South Carolina

If you have been driving for at least a few years, you have probably noticed that semi-trucks tend to make wide, sweeping turns. These maneuvers are hardly surprising given the large, cumbersome nature of semi-trucks. However, these turns can also be incredibly dangerous. If you were injured by a trucker who made an illegal or unsafe turn, you should contact a semi-truck accident lawyer in South Carolina.

Are Semi-Trucks Allowed to Take Up Multiple Lanes When Turning? 

Turns can be challenging for truckers. Often, the only way to successfully make a turn is to take up multiple lanes. For example, a semi-truck might occupy two lanes when making a left-hand turn at an intersection. If a trucker keeps their front portion (the tractor) within a single lane throughout the turn, their trailer would likely cross the yellow line and move into oncoming traffic. This is why truckers often make their turns extra wide, ensuring their trailers stay out of oncoming traffic in the process.

In other words, it may be completely legal for semi-trucks to make extra-wide turns. However, a turning trucker must still yield to traffic while making their turn. If their wide turn causes a collision, they would be responsible for the crash regardless of whether this maneuver was legal or not. It is their responsibility to avoid hitting other vehicles at all times.

Truckers Often Cause Crashes When Turning

Turning truckers often cause crashes. On April 20th, 2026, The Augusta Chronicle reported that a motorcyclist from Beech Island had been killed after crashing into a semi-truck. Officials say that the semi-truck was in the process of turning onto a major roadway when the accident occurred. This implies that the motorcyclist had the right of way, and that the trucker failed to yield. The South Carolina Highway Patrol stated that it was continuing to investigate the incident, and that a toxicology report was “pending.” However, they did not reveal who the subject of this toxicology report was.

U-Turns Are More Heavily Scrutinized

While wide turns may be acceptable under certain circumstances for truckers, U-turns are much more heavily scrutinized. In many cases, U-turns are completely illegal for truckers (or any other driver), particularly on major highways. These maneuvers are also incredibly dangerous. If you were injured by a trucker who made an illegal U-turn, you should discuss your legal options with an experienced truck accident attorney.

Can a South Carolina Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?

While wide turns across multiple lanes are not inherently illegal in South Carolina, accidents caused by wide-turning semi-trucks can certainly lead to personal injury claims. Trucks are only supposed to make these turns when absolutely necessary, and they must avoid causing collisions in the process. Contact Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC to explore the possibility of a South Carolina semi-truck accident lawsuit in more detail.

Sources: 

augustachronicle.com/story/news/accident/2026/04/20/beech-island-man-dies-in-motorcycle-crash/89700854007/

fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/tips-driving-safely-around-large-trucks-or-buses