Truck accidents are extremely dangerous…some more than others.
Underride accidents are one of several types of truck accidents, and they can prove to be particularly devastating for everyone involved.
What is an Underride Accident?
Underride accidents take place whenever a smaller vehicle either rear-ends a truck or hits it from the side. During the impact, smaller vehicles can become wedged underneath the truck since the truck’s ground clearance is much higher. The result is a serious underride accident that can destroy a vehicle and be fatal for drivers or passengers.
What Injuries Occur in Underride Accidents?
Underride accidents often result in the top of the smaller vehicle being peeled off or crushed, and the extent of damage this can cause is severe. Injuries most commonly experienced from truck underride accidents include:
- Brain injury
- Back and neck injury
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Severe organ damage
- Wrongful death
What Causes Underride Accidents?
Trucks are required to have underride guards installed in the rear in order to prevent underride accidents from taking place. While this helps, smaller vehicles can still become wedged underneath, especially because the sides of the truck are not required to have guards.
In many rear-end collisions, the driver of the car causing the impact is to blame. However, in underride accidents the negligence can lie with the truck driver. Underride accidents can be caused by:
- Faulty brake or tail lights
- Lack of proper reflectors
- Sudden braking
- Driving too fast or too slow
- Lack of underride guard
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an underride accident, don’t hesitate to contact the Tampa truck accident attorneys at Lorenzo & Lorenzo for a free consultation. We’re prepared to guide you through the legal processes and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
