Underride truck accidents are among the deadliest types of car versus truck accidents that can occur and cause about 25 percent of all truck accident deaths.
Underride truck accidents refer to car versus truck accidents that occur when passenger vehicles get clipped by and trapped beneath trucks (i.e., cars “ride under” trucks). These types of car versus truck accidents:
- Typically cause the point of impact to be around the level of the passenger vehicle’s occupants’ heads
- Are, as a result, among the most deadly types of motor vehicle accidents that can occur
- Are responsible for about 25 percent of all truck accident fatalities that occur each year in the U.S. (according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
- Are commonly caused by the negligent or reckless behavior of one or more other drivers.
In the event that an underride truck accident is caused by any motorist’s negligence or recklessness, accident victims will likely have a car accident claim and can obtain compensation for their injuries, medical bills, property damage and mental suffering by filing a lawsuit against the negligent party (or parties).
Types of Underride Truck Accidents
The two types of underride truck accidents include:
- Side underride truck accidents, which involve passenger vehicles colliding with the side of trucks. These types of underride truck accidents are more likely to occur when:
- Truck drivers are crossing busy streets or intersections
- Truck drivers are making turns, U-turns and/or changing lanes
- At dusk or night when visibility can be impaired due to decreasing or nonexistent sunlight
- Rear underride truck accidents, which involve passenger vehicles crashing into the back of trucks. These specific types of rear-end collisions are more likely to take place when passenger vehicle drivers are unable to detect that a truck driver is slowing down and/or is stopped (and, therefore, passenger vehicle drivers are unable to slow or stop their vehicle soon enough and end up running into the back of trucks).
Causes of Underride Truck Accidents
Underride truck accidents are among the deadliest types of car versus truck accidents that can occur and cause about 25 percent of all truck accident deaths.
Certain factors and conditions can increase the likelihood that underride truck accidents will occur. While some of these factors may be unavoidable and unpredictable, in many cases, the causes of underride truck accidents involve some element of human error that could have been prevented. Specifically, some of the most common causes of underride truck accidents include (but are not limited to):
- Poorly maintained trucks, which can involve trucks having dirty or nonfunctioning brake lights and/or lacking reflectors (or having dirty reflectors) on the rear and sides of the vehicle – Such conditions can make it difficult for other motorists to see trucks or identify when trucks are slowing, which increases the risk of underride truck accidents.
- Driver impairment, which can involve the truck driver or the passenger vehicle driver (or both) being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and, consequently, having slower reaction times to changing driving conditions.
- Driver inexperience, which can be on the part of the truck driver, the passenger vehicle driver or both – While driver inexperience can cause truck drivers to not check their blind spots or underestimate the time it takes them to make certain maneuvers (like, for example, U-turns), when passenger vehicle drivers are inexperienced, they may fail to leave enough headway between their car and trucks, increasing the likelihood of underride truck accidents.
- Driver distraction on the part of the truck driver, the passenger vehicle driver or both motorists – Driver distraction can have the same effects as driver intoxication in that both of these types of negligent behaviors tend to significantly affect drivers’ reaction times to changing road conditions.
Contacting the Boulder County Car and Truck Accident Lawyers at Cederberg Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car versus truck accident – or if you have lost a loved one in any type of motor vehicle accident, contact the Boulder County car and truck accident lawyers at Cederberg Law by calling us at 303-499-0449 or emailing us using the form at the right-hand side of the screen.
Since 2011, our esteemed legal professionals have been successful at securing results and compensation for people who have been seriously injured in car accidents and other types of traffic accidents. Having handled countless cases, our attorneys have a deep understanding of the law, as well as the legal experience you need, and we can fiercely defend your rights in any legal setting. In fact, while we are aggressive litigators in court, we are also skilled negotiators outside of court. This makes our trusted lawyers a formidable force that will not back down until you secure the maximum possible compensation for your injuries, expenses and losses.
At Cederberg Law, you will not be handed off to a paralegal or assistant. You will receive personal attention and professional service from an experienced lawyer who cares about you and who is dedicated to providing you with superior legal services at every stage of your case. In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
