Override truck accidents are one of the most serious accidents involving a commercial truck. Due to the size and weight of a commercial truck, these crashes can be deadly or cause catastrophic injuries.
If you or a loved one was injured in an override truck accident, contact Dulin McQuinn Young immediately for a free case review and so we can preserve valuable evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.
What Is an Override Truck Accident?
An override truck accident occurs when a commercial truck runs over a smaller passenger car in front of it. This can crush the smaller car, which can cause fatalities and catastrophic injuries to the passenger vehicle’s occupants.
How Do Override Truck Accidents Occur?
Override truck accidents often occur due to the truck driver’s negligence. They may run over a smaller vehicle because they are:
- Distracted or not paying attention
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Following too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unable to see the driver in front of them due to low visibility or impaired senses
Some override crashes occur because of mechanical failure, such as the brakes malfunctioning or a tire blowing out and making the vehicle uncontrollable.
A culture of profits over safety can contribute to these crashes when trucking companies fail to properly maintain the trucks or push workers to continue working past hours of service limits. If a truck driver or company is responsible for the override accident, they can be financially responsible for your damages.
Override Vs. Underride Accidents
Override accidents are often discussed in tandem with underride accidents. Underride accidents involve a car that slides under a tractor-trailer from behind, while override accidents involve a truck that runs over the vehicle in front of it. The placement of the vehicles is the opposite in these crashes. Both types of crashes can cause serious injuries and fatalities.
Types of Injuries in Override Accidents
Many override accidents are deadly. When victims are not killed, they tend to suffer catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Burn injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
These dangerous crashes also cause severe psychological injuries. Victims may experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, and profound fear of returning to a vehicle.
Who Is Responsible for Override Accidents?
Override accidents are preventable. They often occur due to driver error, so the truck driver may be responsible for the injuries and your resulting damages. Truck drivers are required to obey the rules of the road and follow federal regulations for the safe operation of their vehicles.
Trucking companies are vicariously liable for the negligence of their drivers. They can also be held liable for injuries resulting from their own negligence, such as hiring unqualified drivers or failing to maintain their vehicles.
Contact Us for a Free Case Assessment to Discuss Your Case
Any truck accident can cause injury, but override accidents are always serious. If you lost a loved one in this type of crash or suffered severe injuries, the legal team at Dulin McQuinn Young wants to demand justice for you. You should not have to pay for the life-altering consequences caused by careless parties.
Our commercial truck accident lawyers are ready to demand the compensation you are owed and fight aggressively to protect your rights. Call us today for a free consultation.