What Are Squeeze Play Truck Accidents?

In a squeeze play truck accident, a large commercial truck often collides with a smaller passenger vehicle.

Unless you’re a commercial truck driver, you’ve probably never heard of the term ‘Squeeze Play’ Truck Accidents. However, these types of accidents are quite common. In this article, we’ll explain what squeeze play truck accidents are, how they happen, why they’re so dangerous, and what you can do to avoid them.

Squeeze Play Truck Accidents: Definition

To understand a squeeze-play-truck accident, you first need to know how large trucks make right turns.

When making right turns, large commercial trucks often swing slightly to the left before turning right. This can give the illusion to any drivers following behind that the truck intends to turn left. As a result, some people may attempt to pass the truck on its right side while it’s still swinging left. However, if the truck driver decides to turn right instead of left, this can cause the car that was attempting to pass on the right can get squeezed between the truck and the curb. These types of accidents are known as squeezed play or wide turn accidents.

Why Are Squeeze Play Accidents So Dangerous?

In a squeeze play truck accident, a large commercial truck often collides with a smaller passenger vehicle. Because of the size and weight difference between the two vehicles, the results of such an accident can be devastating. The driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle are at a high risk of serious injury or death, while the truck driver often escapes without any major injuries. Some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents include:

• Head trauma
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Neck or back injuries

 How to Prevent Squeeze Play Accidents

Like most vehicle accidents, squeeze play accidents are almost always preventable. Here are ten tips to help you avoid becoming a statistic:

• Don’t tailgate. Maintain a safe following distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you.
• Stay out of a truck’s blind spot. If you can’t see the truck driver in their side mirror, they generally can’t see you.
• Give yourself extra following distance when behind a truck – they may have to brake suddenly.
• Always use your turn signals when changing lanes around a truck; this will let the driver know what you’re doing and help avoid an accident.
• Pass on the left: it’s safer to pass trucks on the left since that’s where their blind spot is smaller.
• Don’t linger alongside them.

 Determining fault in a Squeeze Play Truck Accident

Determining fault in a Squeeze Play Truck Accident can be tricky. Both the truck driver and the car driver may be at fault.

 When is the truck driver liable?

The truck driver may be at fault if they were driving too fast for the conditions, didn’t leave enough space between their truck and the car, or weren’t paying attention and didn’t see the car.

 When is the other driver liable?

The car driver may be at fault if they didn’t signal their turn, cut off the truck, or were driving too fast.

As you can see, determining fault in a squeeze play truck accident is no simple task. That’s why it’s important to work with a qualified car accident attorney who can help you gather evidence and build a strong case.

St. Louis Truck Accident Attorneys

Were you or a loved one involved in a squeeze play truck accident? The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann is here to help. Our St. Louis truck accident attorneys have been protecting the rights on Missouri truck accident victims for over 30 years. Contact us today for a free consultation.