New York Squeeze Play

Because of the size and length of large trucks, it takes a special skill to be able to maneuver such a truck round a corner. If the driver of a tractor trailer or other large truck makes an error in navigating a wide turn by miscalculating the amount of space needed, the results can be catastrophic. Furthermore, wide turns by large trucks are also dangerous because of the possibility that a car will try to pass the truck before the truck completes the wide turn and as a result, the truck collides with the car. When this happens, the sequence of events is referred to as a “squeeze play.” When a squeeze play car accident occurs in many cases the car is crushed, resulting in significant injuries to the victims such as a brain injury, contusions, broken bones, internal injuries, amputations, paralysis, or spinal cord injury. If you were injured in a squeeze play truck accident, it is important that you immediately contact a New York Squeeze Play Lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. In addition, if while treating you for your injuries the medical professional makes a medical mistake resulting in a medical malpractice claim, the truck driver may be legally required to compensate you for that as well.

Tractor trailers typically weigh between 10,000-80,000 pounds and can be up to 48’ long. Because of this, it can be difficult for large trucks to navigate wide turns. Unlike a standard passenger vehicle or an SUV which are only about 13’-16’ long, semis and 18-wheelers need a substantial amount of space in order to prevent the trailer of the truck from rolling over during a turn. Since a large truck must swing wider than a sedan or SUV when executing such turns, large trucks typically must first swing left before initiating the right-hand turn. In the meantime vehicles that are behind the turning truck may think that the truck is attempting to turn left, not right and attempt to pass the truck on the right. The result sometimes is that the car is squeezed between the truck and the curb, with the truck colliding with the car.

While the truck driver may argue that the driver of the car was at fault in the squeeze play accident, oftentimes the driver of the truck was negligent in that he or she failed to see the car passing as the car was in the truck’s blind sport, or the truck driver miscalculated the space available for the wide turn. A truck driver must be attentive and make sure that he or she is aware of the location of other cars in relation to his or her truck. Before making a wide turn, a driver of a large truck must signal to other drivers, and only make the turn if it is safe to do so.

Because of the size and weight of large trucks, squeeze play and wide turn accidents can have catastrophic results. Truck accidents can lead to devastating injuries such as a spinal cord injury, broken bones, brain injury, amputation, paralysis, and all too often, death. Through a personal injury lawsuit, New York law allows you to hold the negligent party responsible for the losses you suffered. Victims who suffer serious injuries in truck accidents have significant medical bills. In addition, because victims of serious injuries often have to miss a great deal of work or are unable to return to work at all, victims have the right to sue for lost wages and loss of earning capacity. If a truck accident results in the death of your loved one, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit.

If you were involved in a truck accident that was caused by a wide turn, it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney since the rules that apply to a truck accident and in many ways different from those that apply to a car accident. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.