The underride truck accidents are one of the most severe kinds of motor vehicle accidents which pose a risk to the lives of Americans on the road. These accidents occur when the occupants of a smaller vehicle which is typically a car slide underneath the rear or side of the oversized commercial vehicle and the resulting injuries obtained are most likely to be disastrous or even more than fatal. The difference in the size of the cars and 18-wheelers results in especially fatal under-ride accidents. Victims and families of the victims should find out about causes and effects of underride truck accidents and the legal aspects to proceed on the trial and settlement of the underride affected family members.
What Do the Terms Underride Truck Accidents Mean?
An underride is a collision, whereby a trailer of a commercial vehicle traps a passenger car below it. Such accidents usually fall in two groups:
Rear-end Underride: Entails a car hitting the other one that is slowing down and the car glides under the truck.
Side Underride Occurrence: This is the type of instance that occurs when a car drives into the side of the trailer, most often in changing lanes or turning.
The injuries cited in both the cases may be life changing or lead to an instant death especially to the persons sitting in the front seats, as in these conditions, the top segment of the smaller vehicle may get severed.
Ordinary Causes of Underride Accidents
The underride collisions are caused by several factors, and these are:
Absence Underride Guards: The federal law requires installing underride bars at the rear of trucks, although they are not all strong and effective. Even guards are not required by the federal government, although they have been shown to save lives inside underride accidents.
Poor Visibility: The presence of trucks on the road in poor light condition or weather and ineligible reflective tape or light causing poor visibility to them increases the chances of passing a smaller vehicle underneath them.
Sudden Stops: Let us assume that the truck driver stops suddenly in the highway or in heavy traffic conditions and the car that is following him/her with short following distance is unable to stop any quicker, consequently, a rear-end underride collision will suffer.
Poor Management: Acting on a fairly unsafe change of lane, in which the turn is wide or the car is blocking an intersection, the car may crash against the side of a trailer and run under it.
Lack of Sleep: Drivers who are sleepy or distracted do not usually respond to the situations on the roads as they ought to and this enhances the possibility of a collision.
The Effect of Underride Crashes
In most cases, underride accidents have a serious impact or are fatal, bearing in mind that the chances of sustaining a head or neck injury, decapitation, or being crushed are more likely to occur. Survivors can exhibit the following:
The cost of healing financial damages suffered by both the victims and the families may be devastating in terms of medical expenditures, lost wages, lifelong rehabilitation, and post-mortem expenses in death cases.
Legal Possibilities for the Families and the Victims
Due to the nature of underride truck accidents and, in most cases, negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or even the manufacturers of the underride guard, the truck accident underride guard can file a personal injury or even a wrongful death lawsuit. It is possible to take legal action against:
An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to look into the collision, collect evidence (including recorded video camera footage from the truck and testimony of witnesses and ongoing maintenance procedures), and assist victims in seeking all the compensation possible.
The Better Safety Regulations Drive
Several individuals and organizations engaged in safety issues are still lobbying with a view of enacting tougher underride protection regulations. One of them is a suggestion of stronger rear guards and the addition of side underride guards in all commercial trucks.
Conclusion
Accidents involving underride trucks are not some freak phenomena; they can be averted. Victims and their families could achieve accountability of responsible parties by knowing their rights, seeking legal assistance, and learning their causes. In the event of an underride crash, it is always recommended to call a proven truck accident lawyer that will help you have a successful course towards recovery and justice.
