Underride truck crashes are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents, often leading to fatalities and devastating consequences. These crashes can pose complex legal issues. One or more parties may be responsible for these tragic accidents and the resulting medical expenses, disability costs, and other economic and non-economic damages they cause.
If you or a loved one was injured in this type of accident, you need a skilled truck accident lawyer who can help navigate the claim process.
What Is an Underride Truck Crash?
Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle slides under a commercial truck. The truck may crush or shear off the smaller vehicle’s roof. These crashes can occur under the rear or side of the truck.
Dangers of Underride Truck Accidents
Underride truck accidents can shear off the top of the smaller passenger vehicle, compromising its structural integrity. This violent effect often leads to fatalities. When individuals survive these dangerous incidents, they are often left with catastrophic injuries, including:
- Loss of limbs or other amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Spinal cord damage
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
These crashes can also cause psychological trauma, leading to mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Common Causes of Underride Truck Crashes
Underride crashes can occur for many reasons, including:
- Lack of contrasting features: Trucks that lack necessary reflective strips, colors, or other elements that enhance visibility can contribute to these dangerous crashes.
- Lack of rear impact guards: These crashes can also occur when trucking companies or owners fail to install a rear impact guard.
- Unsafe driving: Truck drivers can cause these devastating crashes when they speed, change lanes without checking blind spots, or slam on their brakes.
- Inadequate lighting: Commercial trucks are required to meet specific lighting standards. If they are not installed with proper lights or the lights are out, these dangerous incidents are more likely to occur.
- Poor visibility: Truck drivers may have difficulty seeing smaller vehicles in inclement weather or fog.
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance: If a rear guard or side guard is missing or damaged, underride truck crashes may be the tragic result.
Who Is Responsible for Underride Truck Accidents?
Various parties can share in responsibility for underride truck accidents, including the following:
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers may bear responsibility for an underride truck accident due to their negligent driving actions, such as speeding or suddenly slamming on their brakes.
Trucking Companies
Truck companies are vicariously responsible for the actions of their drivers. They can also be held responsible for accidents caused by failing to maintain their vehicles or violating truck safety regulations.
Mechanics
Trucking companies may outsource vehicle maintenance to mechanics. If the mechanic negligently performs their responsibilities, resulting in underride guards or shields in poor condition, broken lights, or other mechanical issues that result in an underride accident, they may be legally responsible for the crash.
Determining who is responsible for an underride crash may require an in-depth investigation.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers for Legal Guidance
If you were injured in an underride accident, an experienced lawyer from Dulin McQuinn Young can help you navigate the legal process. We can investigate your case, gather essential evidence, and determine who is responsible for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.