Why Underride Crashes Are So Often Deadly

Truck underride accidents are a concerning phenomenon that involves smaller vehicles colliding with the rear or sides of large trucks and becoming wedged underneath. These accidents are known for their severe consequences, often resulting in devastating injuries or even fatalities. The inherent risks associated with truck underride accidents have prompted discussions around safety measures, liability issues, and the need for regulatory improvements. By examining the complexities surrounding these incidents, we can better understand the urgency for enhanced safety standards and legal interventions to prevent future tragedies.

As truck accident attorneys, we are acutely aware of the immense dangers posed by underride accidents. These types of accidents can have catastrophic consequences, often resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities. Knowing what dangers trucks pose, and what can lead to an underride accident may help keep other drivers from ending up severely injured or worse.

The potential for catastrophic injuries

Underride accidents are notorious for the severity of injuries they inflict upon occupants of smaller vehicles. When a passenger car, motorcycle, or other small vehicle becomes lodged underneath a truck’s trailer, the collision forces are concentrated on the upper portion of the vehicle. This can lead to devastating injuries. The sheer difference in size and weight between trucks and smaller vehicles exacerbates the severity of injuries sustained in underride accidents.

Underride accidents have a disproportionately high fatality rate compared to other types of truck accidents. The potential for fatal outcomes arises from the vulnerability of occupants in the smaller vehicle. The force of the impact, combined with the potential for roof crush, severe head and neck injuries, or ejection from the vehicle, significantly increases the likelihood of fatal injuries. Surviving an underride accident is often rare, and those who do survive are left with life-altering physical and emotional trauma.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries suffered during truck underride accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Traumatic amputation
• Severe burns

Traumatic brain injuries and brain damage have the potential to cause significant long-term consequences, impacting cognitive functions, motor skills, and overall quality of life. Similarly, spinal cord damage can result in permanent partial or total paralysis, profoundly affecting an individual’s mobility and independence. The severity of these injuries can also lead to conditions such as blindness or permanent hearing loss, forever altering a person’s sensory experience. Additionally, the loss of a limb is a devastating outcome that can occur in high-impact motor vehicle accidents, leaving individuals to cope with the physical and emotional challenges of amputation. Serious burns can cause extensive scarring or necessitate skin grafts, resulting in lifelong reminders of the traumatic event.

The recovery process for these catastrophic injuries often involves months or even years of intensive physical therapy, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatment. In some unfortunate cases, a traumatic brain injury can require individuals to relearn basic functions like walking and speaking, or it may leave them in a permanent vegetative state, drastically altering their lives forever. It is crucial to address these life-altering injuries and pursue legal recourse to ensure the well-being and justice for those affected.

Inadequate crash protection

Traditional vehicle safety features, such as airbags and crumple zones, are designed to provide protection in frontal or rear-end collisions. However, these safety mechanisms often fail to adequately protect occupants in underride accidents. The structural integrity of smaller vehicles is compromised when they slide underneath the truck, bypassing crucial safety components. As a result, the occupants are exposed to direct impact, leading to life-threatening injuries. The lack of appropriate crash protection in underride accidents contributes significantly to their dangerous nature.

Limited visibility and awareness

One of the primary factors contributing to underride accidents is the limited visibility and awareness of truck drivers. Blind spots, also known as “no-zones,” exist on the sides and rear of trucks, making it challenging for drivers to see smaller vehicles approaching or driving near them.

Blind spots are an inherent feature of every vehicle, but trucks possess particularly sizable blind spots that increase the risk of overlooking smaller vehicles traveling alongside them. These blind spots are a significant contributing factor to truck accidents involving smaller vehicles. While it is crucial for other drivers to remain aware when positioned in a truck’s blind spot, it is ultimately the responsibility of the trucker to diligently check these areas using mirrors and other safety measures.

In some instances, truck drivers may not be aware that a collision even occurred until it is too late. Insufficient awareness of the presence of smaller vehicles can lead to delayed reactions or inadequate measures to prevent underride accidents. Should you find yourself in a collision with a commercial truck while occupying a blind spot, the trucker may bear liability for the injuries you sustain.

Insufficient or defective guards

Underride accidents are often preventable with the installation of proper underride guards. Underride guards are metal barriers attached to the rear of trucks, designed to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath. However, these guards are not always mandated or adequately regulated, leading to varying levels of effectiveness. In some cases, underride guards may be poorly maintained, defective, or improperly installed. When underride guards fail to function as intended, they offer little to no protection, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries or fatalities.

Please contact Paulson & Nace, PLLC by calling our office or by filling out this contact form.