Most truck accidents cause extensive property damage and catastrophic injuries and fatalities. While there are several types and causes of truck accidents, underride truck accidents are among the most devastating and destructive.
An underride truck accident occurs when a passenger vehicle crashes into the back or side of a large commercial truck. Due to the difference in size and height, the passenger vehicle can become partially or entirely stuck underneath the truck. Often, the passenger vehicle’s airbags do not activate, which can make the resulting injuries far more severe. There are two main types of underride accidents, including the following:
- Side underride collisions: This type of accident occurs when a passenger vehicle crashes into the side of a truck and slides underneath the trailer. The top of the car is often crushed or torn off. Side underride accidents often occur when a large commercial truck is making a turn or crossing an intersection.
- Rear underride collisions: These occur when a passenger vehicle crashes into the back of a truck, ending up underneath the truck.
How Common Are Underride Truck Accidents?
While underride truck accidents are some of the most devastating, they are also among the most common. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), since 2010, there have been an average of 500 fatalities yearly from underride truck accidents. Most fatal accidents occur between midnight and 4:00 a.m., with the highest fatalities occurring on weekends. In most cases, the occupants of the passenger vehicle – and not the truck driver- suffer the most severe injuries, regardless of who is responsible for causing the accident.
Many injuries and fatalities can be prevented if trucks have rear and side guards. Today, more trucks on the roads have rear and side guards, but state or federal regulations do not yet mandate them. If an accident does occur and the truck is not equipped with rear or side guards, it can have devastating consequences for the occupants of the passenger vehicle involved in the accident.
What Types of Injuries Do Underride Truck Accidents Cause?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of an underride truck accident, the resulting injuries tend to be catastrophic, if not fatal. The following are examples of injuries that rear or side underride accidents can cause:
- Amputations
- Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
What Are the Common Causes of Underride Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents happen for various reasons, most of which are entirely preventable. Unfortunately, when a massive, fully-loaded truck is involved with a passenger vehicle, it can have catastrophic consequences, particularly for the occupants involved. The following are some of the most common causes of underride truck accidents:
- Speeding: When a truck driver exceeds the speed limit, it threatens the safety of all other vehicles in the vicinity. Large trucks require significantly more road space to slow down or come to a complete stop. If a truck driver is speeding and weaving in and out of lanes, it can increase the risk of a side underride collision.
- Drowsy driving: This is a severe problem among truck drivers under great pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines. Even though there are federal HOS regulations in place, truck drivers often continue driving, even if they are experiencing symptoms of drowsiness. Extreme drowsiness can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, mainly if the truck driver falls asleep at the wheel.
- Mechanical issues: Truck drivers must ensure that the truck is inspected regularly and that all repairs are made before returning to the road. A failure to make the necessary repairs to tires, brakes, lights, and other mechanical issues can result in an underride accident.
- Inclement weather: Poor weather conditions can increase the risk of truck accidents, including underride accidents. Snow, ice, rain, fog, and strong winds can impact visibility and make it more challenging to maintain control of the truck. Truck drivers must reduce speed and use extreme caution during poor weather conditions. Failure to do so will increase the risk of an underride accident.
Who Is Liable for an Underride Truck Accident?
Several parties may be held liable for an underride accident like other truck accidents. It will depend on the cause of the accident and whether negligence was a factor. For example, the truck driver may be liable for a rear underride accident if they slam the brakes after being distracted by a text or a phone call. The maintenance company can be liable for a severe underride accident if they fail to maintain the brakes or tires properly. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help determine who was responsible for causing the accident and whether negligence was a factor.
Cincinnati Truck Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Represents Those Injured in Underride Truck Accidents
If you suffered a severe injury in an underride truck accident, do not hesitate to contact our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 513-488-1135 or contact us online. Located in Loveland, Ohio, we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park.