When a vehicle and semi-truck collide, there is a possibility that the much smaller passenger vehicle may slide underneath the truck’s trailer. This can result in severe damages, serious injuries, and even death. This is called an underride accident, a term that fails to convey the devastation it can cause.

The truck accident lawyers at Burch Law Firm can help you seek justice after you are hurt in an underride crash. We hold negligent trucking companies responsible for the harm they cause. We can pursue full and fair compensation against all negligent parties. Contact us today for a free case review to learn about your legal options following an underride accident and how we can help.

What Is an Underride Crash Accident?

When a smaller passenger vehicle becomes lodged under a big rig, this is referred to as an underride accident. The top of the passenger vehicle may be smashed or ripped off entirely in this type of accident. Often, these types of crashes kill the occupants in the passenger vehicle. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, about 220 people die every year from underride accidents. When the vehicle occupants survive, they often suffer life-altering, catastrophic injuries.

How Do Underride Accidents Occur?

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle gets caught under the rear or side of a semi-truck. These accidents are more likely to happen when drivers of passenger vehicles cannot see the back of trucks and when the trucks do not have required guard rails.

Some common causes of underride crashes include:

  • Sudden braking from a semi-truck in front of a passenger vehicle
  • Trucking companies and drivers that fail to equip their vehicles with required guard rails
  • Failure to repair or maintain the vehicle and guard rails
  • Wide turns that cause passenger vehicles to become lodged under the truck
  • Faulty brakes or taillights
  • Bad weather conditions that obstruct visibility
  • Failure to alert other drivers when the truck is pulled over to the side of the road

Who Is Responsible for Underride Accidents?

There may be several parties who contribute to underride collisions, including:

  • Truck driver – A truck driver is expected to operate the vehicle in a safe manner that is consistent with local, state, and federal regulations. If they drive erratically, make unsafe turns or lane changes, or otherwise drive negligently, they may cause an underride crash.
  • Truck owner – The truck’s owner is required to maintain the vehicle to prevent collisions, including making sure that the vehicle is equipped with working guardrails.
  • Trucking company – The trucking company is responsible for the negligent actions of its drivers, as well as the maintenance of vehicles in its fleet.
  • Maintenance crew – In some instances, trucking companies employ third-party maintenance companies. If these companies fail to maintain vehicles or components like guardrails, they may be responsible for resulting accidents.
  • Product manufacturers – Manufacturers that design defective guardrails can cause these collisions.

Underride collisions often result in serious injuries, and accident victims need to focus on their health and recovery. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors that contributed to the collision and identify all responsible parties.