Underride Accidents: One of the Deadliest Types of Truck Collisions
Not all truck accidents are created equal. Some are survivable. Others, by their very nature, are not—and underride accidents fall squarely in the second category.
An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a large commercial truck during a collision. This can happen at the rear of the truck, along its side, or at the front. The results are catastrophic: because the smaller vehicle’s passenger compartment slides under the truck’s frame, standard safety features like airbags and crumple zones are bypassed entirely. In many cases, the roof of the vehicle is sheared off.
Why Underride Accidents Happen
Underride collisions are among the leading causes of fatality in truck-related crashes, and safety advocates have spent decades pushing for stronger federal standards to prevent them. These crashes typically occur in a few common scenarios:
- Rear underride: A passenger vehicle strikes the back of a stopped or slow-moving tractor-trailer, sliding beneath the trailer before the vehicle can stop. Poor visibility, inadequate trailer lighting, and distracted or fatigued truck drivers are frequent contributing factors.
- Side underride: A vehicle slides under the side of a trailer, often during a turn, lane change, or when a truck pulls out from a stop. Side underride guards are not federally required, leaving a significant gap in protection.
- Front underride: Less common but equally deadly, this occurs when a vehicle becomes trapped beneath the front of a large truck.
Trucking Company Liability
When an underride accident results in serious injury or death, liability often extends beyond the truck driver. Trucking companies can be held responsible for inadequate equipment maintenance, failure to ensure proper lighting and reflective markings, and pressure on drivers to meet schedules that lead to unsafe driving behavior.
Equipment Manufacturer Liability
Equipment manufacturers may also bear liability if underride guards—which are required on the rear of trailers under federal law—were defective, improperly installed, or failed to meet safety standards. The absence of side guards, despite years of advocacy, can also factor into negligence claims.
Getting the Damages You Deserve
If you’ve lost a family member or suffered serious injuries in an underride accident, you may have legal claims against multiple parties. The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your accident claim. If a negligent trucking company or defective equipment cost you or someone you love, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your case right away.
