Underride accidents are some of the most devastating types of truck accidents that occur, simply because the physics of these crashes imperil those who slide underneath the body of large trucks. These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a large truck, typically during a rear-end or side collision.
Unlike standard car-to-car accidents, where the front end of a vehicle absorbs much of the impact, underride accidents bypass these protective structures. A trailer’s edge can intrude directly into a car’s cabin, causing severe injuries to the heads, neck and upper bodies of that smaller vehicle’s occupants. The impact can be so forceful that occupants may suffer crushing injuries or fatal head trauma.
Lack of adequate protection
Many large trucks lack effective underride guards, which are barriers designed to prevent cars from sliding under a truck’s trailer in the event of a crash. Federal regulations require rear underride guards on commercial trucks, but they are not always installed or maintained properly. Moreover, side underride guards are not yet universally required in the U.S., leaving many trucks without the necessary barriers to prevent these accidents.
Even when underride guards are present, they may not be strong enough to stop a car’s momentum effectively, especially at higher speeds. In such cases, inadequate underride guards provide little protection, allowing a vehicle to slide under a truck’s trailer, which can cause devastating injuries.
The injuries resulting from underride accidents are often catastrophic due to a direct impact on the passenger compartment. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe fractures and internal organ damage. Victims who survive these accidents frequently face lifelong disabilities and require extensive medical care.
As a result of these realities, it is generally necessary for passenger vehicle survivors of underride accidents to seek compensation for the harm that such crashes cause.