Wide Right Turn Accidents in Florida: The 'Squeeze Play' and Blind Spot Liability
A 'squeeze play' occurs when an 18-wheeler swings wide to the left to make a right turn, crushing a smaller car or bicyclist in its blind spot. In Florida, truck drivers can be held heavily liable for failing to use proper mirrors and signals, even if their defense team blames the victim for 'sneaking up.'
Navigating the dense, congested intersections of cities like Miami, Orlando, and West Palm Beach is stressful enough. But when you are driving alongside a massive 18-wheeler, the danger multiplies exponentially. Because semi-trucks can reach up to 80 feet in length, they physically cannot make a sharp right turn from the right lane. To clear the curb, the truck driver must swing wide into the left lane before cutting back to the right.
This maneuver creates a deadly trap known as the 'squeeze play.' A driver in a compact car, or a motorcyclist, might see the truck move left and assume the lane is clear, only to be crushed against the curb when the truck violently cuts back to the right. Trucking companies often fight these cases aggressively, arguing that you were hiding in their blind spot. However, Florida law demands a high standard of care from commercial drivers. If you have been injured, finding a specialized attorney from our USA Lawyers Directory is crucial to proving the truck driver's negligence.
Step-by-Step Process in Florida
Defeating a trucking company's defense requires a deep understanding of commercial driving standards and intersection physics. Here is how your legal team will break down the accident to prove the trucker was at fault.
Step 1: Understanding the 'Squeeze Play' Dynamics
Under Fla. Stat. § 316.151, Florida law generally requires drivers to make right turns as close as practicable to the right-hand curb. While trucks get some leeway due to their size, this does not give them permission to create a lethal trap. If a truck driver swings left but fails to use their right turn signal to warn traffic behind them, they have breached their duty of care. The initial Form HSMV 90010S, Florida, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida Traffic Crash Report will document where the vehicles came to rest, which is vital evidence for crash reconstruction experts.
Step 2: The 'No-Zone' and Bicyclists in Miami/Orlando
Bicyclists and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to squeeze play accidents. Commercial trucks have massive blind spots-known as the 'No-Zone'-located directly behind the trailer, along the passenger side doors, and immediately in front of the cab. If you are riding a bike in an urban bike lane in Miami, a turning truck can easily sweep you under the rear wheels. Precedents like Gowdy v. Bell, 993 So. 2d 585 (FL District Court of Appeal 2008) illustrate the severe duty of care required when operating near vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists in turning situations.
Step 3: Gathering Intersection Camera and Dashcam Evidence
Truck drivers often lie to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami or the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, West Palm Beach, claiming they had their turn signal on the entire time. To combat this, your lawyer must act quickly to secure video evidence. Many modern 18-wheelers have outward-facing dashcams. Additionally, your lawyer can subpoena nearby business security cameras or municipal traffic cameras. Video footage showing the truck moving left without signaling right is the ultimate smoking gun in a squeeze play case.
Step 4: Fighting the 'You Sneaked Up' Defense
The insurance company's go-to defense is comparative negligence. They will claim you recklessly tried to 'sneak' or pass the truck on the right side while it was turning. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if a jury finds you were partially at fault for hanging in the No-Zone, your financial award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, a skilled attorney will argue that the truck driver failed to 'square off' the turn, failed to check their specialized hood mirrors, or initiated the turn from the wrong lane entirely.
How Much Does it Cost in Florida?
Hiring a powerful legal team to take on a commercial trucking company does not require an upfront retainer.
- Contingency Fees: Personal injury lawyers in Florida operate on a contingency basis. You pay nothing out of pocket. The lawyer typically takes 33.3% of a pre-trial settlement, or 40% if a lawsuit is filed in court.
- Free Consultations: Reputable law firms will review the crash report and your medical records for free before taking the case.
- Expert Witness Costs: Trucking cases require expensive accident reconstructionists to map out the turning radius. Your law firm advances these costs and only recovers them if they win your case.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Squeeze play accidents are rarely settled quickly because both sides often dispute who had the right of way. If the evidence (like a dashcam video) is clear, your lawyer might secure a settlement within 9 to 12 months. However, if the trucking company refuses to take responsibility and the case goes to a local venue like the Palm Beach County Circuit Court, West Palm Beach, formal civil litigation can easily take 2 to 3 years to reach a jury trial.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is usually at fault in a wide turn accident?
It depends heavily on the specific facts. While truck drivers are often at fault for failing to signal or check mirrors, a passenger car driver can be found partially at fault if they ignored the truck's blinker and aggressively tried to pass on the right.
What is a convex mirror, and why does it matter?
Convex mirrors are the bubbled, curved mirrors mounted on the hood and doors of an 18-wheeler. They are specifically designed to eliminate the passenger-side blind spot. If a driver fails to check them before turning, it is strong evidence of negligence.
Can I still get compensation if I was slightly at fault?
Yes. Florida uses a modified comparative negligence system. As long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your payout will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
What should I say to the trucking company's insurance adjuster?
You should say absolutely nothing to them. Insurance adjusters will try to trick you into admitting you were speeding or in their blind spot. Always refer them directly to your personal injury attorney.
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