Truck underride accidents are some of the most hazardous and deadly types of crashes involving larger vehicles. They occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the back or side of a truck or trailer and slides underneath. The lower height of the car compared to the elevated base of the truck often results in severe or even fatal injuries, as the truck can crush the upper part of the passenger vehicle, potentially impacting the passenger compartment directly.

Types of Underride Accidents

Rear Underride Accidents: This is the most common type of underride collision. It happens when a vehicle drives into the rear of a truck or trailer. Lack of adequate underride guards or the failure of existing guards to perform effectively can lead to catastrophic results, as the car’s safety features (like airbags and crumple zones) are often bypassed.

Side Underride Accidents: These occur when a vehicle crashes into the side of a truck or trailer, often sliding beneath the trailer. Side underride accidents are particularly common in poor visibility conditions, such as at night or in inclement weather, or when trucks are making turns or merging.

Causes of Underride Accidents

Insufficient Underride Guards: Trucks and trailers are required to have underride guards to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath. However, if these guards are poorly maintained, incorrectly installed, or absent, the risk of a fatal underride accident increases significantly.

Poor Visibility: Trucks and trailers can be difficult to see in low light or adverse weather conditions, especially if they lack adequate lighting and reflective materials.

Sudden Stops and Slow Speeds: If a truck stops suddenly or travels significantly below the speed limit on highways, it can catch following drivers off guard, leading to rear underride accidents.

Driver Error: Errors by either the truck driver or the drivers of passenger vehicles, such as misjudging stopping distances or not noticing a truck’s maneuvers, can lead to underride incidents.

Prevention Measures

Enhanced Safety Regulations: Improving the standards for underride guards and ensuring all trucks are equipped with adequate, well-maintained guards is critical. This includes regulations for stronger and more encompassing side guards.

Better Visibility: Equipping trucks with proper lighting and reflective materials can help reduce the risk of underride accidents, especially at night or during adverse weather conditions.

Education and Training: Educating all drivers about the dangers of underride accidents and training them in safe driving practices around large trucks can reduce the frequency of these crashes.

Advanced Safety Technologies: Implementing safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking and collision detection systems in both passenger and commercial vehicles can help prevent underride accidents by providing timely alerts and automatic response mechanisms.

How Miller Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help:

At Miller Personal Injury Attorneys, we are dedicated to assisting victims of truck underride accidents and providing them with the legal support necessary to pursue compensation. Here’s how we can help:

Legal Expertise in Trucking Accidents: We specialize in personal injury law with a focus on accidents involving commercial trucks. Our deep understanding of both federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry is essential for building a substantial case.

Dealing with Insurance Companies: Navigating the claims process with insurance companies can be challenging. We handle all communications and negotiations with insurers on behalf of our clients, ensuring that they are not pressured into accepting an unfair settlement.

Securing Compensation: Our firm is focused on securing comprehensive compensation for our clients, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. We are adept at quantifying the full extent of a client’s damages and negotiating settlements that reflect the true impact of the injuries sustained.

Representation in Court: If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we are prepared to litigate your case. We have extensive experience litigating personal injury cases, providing competent representation throughout the entire litigation process.

Personalized Attention: Understanding that each case and client is unique, we provide personalized attention to each client. We ensure that our clients are informed and involved in every step of the legal process, from the initial consultation through the resolution of the case.