When a passenger vehicle crashes into the bed or trailer of a large truck, the resulting accident can be catastrophic. If the smaller car travels beneath the taller truck, it’s known as an underride accident. These collisions are some of the most severe large truck accidents. They often lead to life-changing injuries, fatalities and complex legal claims.
If you get hurt in an underride truck accident, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand and protect your legal rights. Hiring an attorney can balance the scales between you and a powerful trucking company in the search for justice.
What Is an Underride Truck Accident?
An underride truck accident is a unique type of traffic collision that can happen when one vehicle is larger than the other. In a commercial truck accident, for example, the truck bed or trailer can be much taller than the smaller car. When the two vehicles collide, the smaller car can pass or slide beneath the larger truck, potentially crushing or shearing off the top of the car.
What Are the Dangers of a Truck Underride Accident?
Underride accidents can easily be catastrophic or fatal for the occupants of the smaller or shorter vehicle. The truck bed or trailer can go through the windshield of the car, striking or crushing vehicle occupants at a high speed.
The height difference between a car and truck means the point of impact will be high on the passenger car. Rather than hitting the bumper or “crumple zone,” which is designed to protect vehicle occupants from the full force of an impact, an underride accident strikes the vehicle at the vulnerable hood or windshield.
The mechanics of an underride truck accident mean an increased likelihood of severe or deadly head, brain, spine, chest and neck injuries. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, crush injuries, spinal cord damage, permanent paralysis, broken ribs, lung injuries, internal injuries and decapitation.
In the most fatal accidents, a wrongful death lawyer can secure maximum compensation.
Common Causes of Large Truck Underride Accidents
Multiple parties have the power to prevent underride accidents, including the truck owner, a trucking company, the truck driver and the driver of the smaller vehicle. Negligence or an inadequate amount of care from any of these parties can increase the odds of an underride accident.
Common examples include:
- Distracted driving/texting and driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Tailgating a large truck
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Poor truck maintenance or skipped inspections
- Missing rear or side underride guards
- Missing or defective brake lights
- Sudden stops or brake-checking
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while drowsy
If a crash investigation discovers that the trucking company, truck owner/operator or truck driver is to blame, this party can be held liable (financially responsible) for the victim’s injuries, medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why You Need to Contact a Lawyer After an Underride Truck Accident
Large truck accident cases are always a reason to consult with a personal injury lawyer about your legal rights. These collisions typically cause severe to catastrophic injuries, which means more expensive damages and higher-value claims. Rather than attempting to resolve your case yourself, protect your financial future by contacting an attorney before settling.
A truck accident lawyer will investigate your underride accident, determine the cause of the crash, explain your legal rights, and represent you during settlement negotiations or a personal injury trial. If you’ve recently been hurt in this type of truck crash, reach out to the lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for a free initial consultation to discuss your recovery options.