Any accident that involves a tractor-trailer is cause for alarm. Due to the height and weight of a tractor-trailer when compared to other vehicles on the roadway, it comes as no surprise that trucking accidents usually produce catastrophic injuries and fatalities. One especially dangerous type of truck accident is an underride accident. The U.S. Government Accountability Office reported that underride accidents caused roughly 220 deaths every year from 2008 to 2017.
If you lost a loved one in an underride accident or any other type of trucking accident, reach out to a fatal truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
What is an Underride Accident?
An underride accident takes place when a smaller passenger vehicle crashes into a much larger truck and becomes completely or partly wedged underneath. Due to the difference in size and depending on the positioning of the vehicles, the safety features of the passenger car will almost certainly fail leaving the driver trapped under the truck.
There are two kinds of truck underride accidents:
- Side underride accidents: These happen when the top of a vehicle is sheared off as it travels under the side of the trailer. Side underride accidents usually happen when the truck is crossing an intersection or making a turn.
- Rear underride accidents: These take place when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the back of the trailer. This often occurs when the truck starts to decelerate or comes to an unexpected stop and the other driver is either following too closely or not paying attention.
How Often Do Underride Accidents Happen?
Truck underride accidents happen a lot more often than most people realize. Most drivers are aware that trucks are involved in many types of fatal vehicle accidents but not many are aware of the specific dangers of a truck underride.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety stated that every year since 2010, an average of 500 deaths have occurred every year caused by rear and side underride truck accidents. In 2018 alone, there were more than 600 fatal underride accidents in the United States. The majority of truck accident-related deaths happen between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. with the highest percentage occurring on Saturdays and Sundays.
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds; about 30 times more than a passenger vehicle. Given this massive weight differential, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are much more likely to sustain serious or even fatal injuries during a commercial truck accident, including an underride accident.
Side guards and rear guards are the best way to prevent smaller passenger vehicles from skidding under a truck. Unfortunately, most commercial trucks don’t have side or rear underride guards because they are not currently mandated by federal or state laws.
Injuries Caused by Truck Underride Accidents
Truck underride injuries can be devastating and have a permanent impact on your life in the form of a physical handicap or the loss of a loved one. In addition to catastrophic injuries, a truck underride accident can also cause serious mental distress. Some of the more serious physical underride injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- 3rd and 4th-degree burns
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries, such as herniated discs, whiplash,and neck fractures
- Amputations
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Contusions and lacerations
- Mental anguish
Why Do Truck Underride Accidents Happen?
Just like car accidents, the causes of truck underride accidents are varied. They are most often the result of drivers tailgating a truck, a sudden stop executed by the truck operator, or poor visibility caused by inclement weather. Tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, dump trucks, wide-load flatbed trucks, and tanker trucks are the types of trucks most commonly struck by other drivers.
Other common causes of underride accidents are:
Speeding
Since commercial trucks are so much bigger than most other vehicles, speeding creates an extremely dangerous situation for everyone on the roadway. These oversized vehicles take longer to respond due to their immense size and increased momentum. When a truck driver is reckless or negligent in the operation of their vehicle, catastrophic accidents are often the result.
Driver Fatigue
According to CareerCast, long-haul trucking was ranked as one of the highest-stress jobs. With long hours and tight delivery schedules, it is not uncommon for drivers to experience fatigue. Drowsy driving is just as unsafe as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
Mechanical Problems
While a lot of truck crashes can be attributed to driver error, there are plenty of collisions spawned by mechanical problems stemming from insufficient maintenance. These issues can include brake failures, tire blowouts, and total vehicle breakdowns that can cause serious accidents. A part manufacturer, vehicle manufacturer, or freight company could be held responsible if a mechanical problem is determined to be the cause of an underride accident.
Inclement Weather
Poor weather conditions greatly increase the odds of a truck underride accident. Fog, snow, strong winds, ice, or rain can affect visibility, cause roads to become slick, and make it hard for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles. When driving conditions are less than favorable, all drivers should turn their headlights on and decrease their speed until it passes. Even when drivers are taking all appropriate safety measures, however, truck drivers still need additional distance and time to slow down in order to avoid causing or contributing to a serious underride accident.
Speak to a Truck Underride Accident Attorney
If you lost a loved one in a truck underride accident, an experienced fatal truck accident lawyer will be knowledgeable of all state and federal trucking regulations that pertain to your wrongful death case. They can work to collect evidence and collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to determine what caused the underride accident and who is liable for the resulting damages. Taking all these steps with an expert helping you will ensure you are able to get the best possible outcome for your case.
