Trucking Squeeze Play / Wide Turns

Squeeze play collisions are also known as wide turn accidents. They involve large big rigs, 18-wheelers, or tractor-trailers inadvertently competing for space against smaller vehicles. Passenger cars are severely disadvantaged in their interactions with these larger vehicles. While the truck driver may escape a huge collision unscathed, the driver of the passenger car and others in the vehicle may be catastrophically injured or killed. In a squeeze play accident, a truck driver swings wide to the left in order to make a right turn. He may not see a smaller vehicle or pedestrian directly behind him or next to him. The smaller vehicle or person can be trapped or squeezed to the curb. At the Hartsoe Law Firm, truck accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe helps people in Knoxville and the surrounding areas pursue compensation from a negligent commercial driver or trucking company.

It is more difficult to operate a commercial truck than a passenger vehicle in most cases. Trucks tend to take up a lot of space on the road, and even simple tasks like wide turns can become extremely difficult to negotiate in a tractor-trailer or big rig. Trucks cannot make tight turns, and they will need to first swing left, putting the cab of the semi into a different traffic lane, and then begin their right turn. Bicyclists next to the turning truck or any drivers who misinterpret the swing left as a sign the truck is changing lanes may be catastrophically injured when the truck swings around.


In most cases, the smaller vehicle will sustain the vast proportion of the damage. Cars cannot withstand the force inflicted by a tractor-trailer. Often, the driver of the truck or his employer may be held liable for the damages that arise in a squeeze play accident. The economic damages alone are likely to be substantial. These may include medical bills, lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, out-of-pocket expenses, property damage, and other tangible costs and losses. Victims also may be able to pursue substantial noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life or particular activities, since the injuries involved tend to be severe.


In some cases, a squeeze play accident may be partially the fault of the victim. For example, a motorist who tries to compete for the right lane with a truck instead of using due caution may be found comparatively negligent for the collision. If he or she is trying to recover damages from the driver or trucking company, the rule of comparative fault may apply. This means that the total damages are assessed, as well as the percentages of fault of all parties, and the plaintiff's recovery will be reduced by his or her percentage of fault. If the accident victim is found to be 50% or more at fault, he or she will be barred from recovering damages. However, if the accident victim is 49% or less at fault, the amount of compensation will simply be reduced by his or her degree of fault.

Immediately after a serious accident, the driver’s and trucking company's claims adjustors may start to protect their interests. Their investigators will try to find a way to minimize the claim and reduce the amount they may need to pay to compensate you for a driver's negligence. Knoxville attorney Mark Hartsoe is dedicated to representing victims of motor vehicle collisions in asserting their right to compensation for their injuries. Not all attorneys understand the trucking regulations or how an industry tries to avoid liability. We have experience litigating these types of claims and can take your case to trial if needed. For a free initial consultation, call 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form.