Pennsylvania Wide Turn Truck Accident Attorneys
Tractor-trailers require significantly more space to make turns than passenger vehicles. A standard 53-foot trailer cannot navigate a right turn without swinging the cab wide to the left first — a maneuver that creates a deadly “squeeze play” zone where smaller vehicles can become trapped and crushed between the turning truck and the curb, median, or other traffic.
Wide turn accidents — also called squeeze play or swinging turn accidents — are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities at intersections throughout Pennsylvania and the Tri-State area. At Siddons Law Firm, we hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable when negligent turning maneuvers injure innocent motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
How Wide Turn Truck Accidents Happen
The physics of turning a tractor-trailer create inherent dangers at every intersection:
The Right Turn Squeeze Play
To make a right turn, a truck driver must first swing the cab to the left to create enough turning radius for the trailer to clear the curb. This leftward movement opens a gap on the right side that cars, motorcycles, and bicycles may attempt to occupy — not realizing the truck is about to turn right. As the trailer cuts inward through the turn, vehicles in this gap are trapped and crushed against the curb or the side of the trailer.
Off-Tracking
The rear wheels of a trailer do not follow the same path as the cab’s front wheels. During turns, the trailer’s rear wheels track a tighter arc, cutting the corner significantly. This is called “off-tracking” and can sweep the trailer across sidewalks, bike lanes, and adjacent traffic lanes.
Blind Spot Failures
Trucks have massive blind spots — called “no-zones” — on both sides, the front, and the rear. Vehicles alongside or slightly behind the truck during a turn may be completely invisible to the driver. Federal regulations require proper mirror adjustment and turn signal use, but many drivers fail to check all blind spots before initiating turns.
Common Injuries in Wide Turn Truck Accidents
- Crush injuries from being trapped between the truck and fixed objects
- Traumatic brain injuries from violent impact
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations when limbs are caught between vehicles
- Severe fractures of the pelvis, legs, and torso
- Cyclist and pedestrian fatalities — particularly vulnerable in squeeze play scenarios
Who Is Liable?
- The truck driver — for failing to check mirrors, signal properly, or ensure the turn path is clear
- The trucking company — for inadequate training on turning techniques, blind spot management, and urban driving
- The route planner or dispatcher — for routing trucks through intersections or streets too narrow for safe turning
- The truck or mirror manufacturer — if defective mirrors or blind spot detection systems contributed to the failure
Evidence in Wide Turn Cases
Our investigation of wide turn accidents focuses on:
- Traffic camera and surveillance footage capturing the turning maneuver
- The truck’s turn signal activation data from the EDR
- Mirror adjustment records and the truck’s blind spot detection equipment
- The driver’s training records regarding urban driving and turning techniques
- Route planning records showing whether the intersection was appropriate for the truck
- Witness testimony from other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists
Contact Us
If you or a loved one was injured in a wide turn truck accident, call Siddons Law Firm at (610) 255-7500 for a free consultation. We serve clients in PA, NJ, MD, and NY.