July 16, 2024

The Dangers of Underride Truck Accidents in Illinois

A crash with a truck is significantly worse than an accident with another car. The difference in size is a major factor in these accidents — especially underride accidents. Cars and their passengers face great risk when they go under a trailer.

Learn more about underride accidents, the damage they can cause, and how to work with a truck accident lawyer to seek a personal injury settlement after a truck crash.

Understanding Underride Truck Accidents

Underride truck accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes on the road.

These accidents happen when a smaller vehicle, like a car, slides underneath the body of a large truck or trailer.

These accidents can occur at the rear, side, or even the front of the truck.

The consequences of these accidents are often severe, leading to serious injuries or even death for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Why Are Underride Crashes So Dangerous?

When a car crashes into a truck, the first point of impact is usually the car’s hood or windshield.

Because trucks are much taller than cars, this impact bypasses many of the safety features designed to protect passengers, such as airbags and crumple zones.

Instead, the truck can crush the car’s cabin, causing what is known as Passenger Compartment Intrusion (PCI).

This can result in severe injuries to the head, neck, and upper body of the car’s occupants.

Common Injuries in Underride Accidents

One of the main reasons underride crashes are so dangerous is the height difference between trucks and cars.

When a car slides under a truck, the top part of the car is often sheared off, leading to catastrophic injuries.

Injuries from these accidents can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, and severe cuts and bruises.

The psychological impact can also be significant, with victims sometimes experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Causes of Underride Truck Accidents

Underride truck accidents can happen for a variety of reasons.

Poor visibility is a common cause, especially at night or in bad weather. Trucks may not be properly marked with reflective tape or lights, making them difficult to see.

Additionally, sudden stops or slowdowns by trucks can catch car drivers off guard, leading to a collision.

Another significant factor is the lack of proper underride guards on many trucks. These guards are metal bars that hang down from the back or sides of the truck to prevent cars from sliding underneath.

However, not all trucks have these guards, and even when they do, they are not always strong enough to withstand a crash.

Driver Error and Underride Accidents

Driver error is also a significant cause of underride accidents. Truck drivers sometimes make sudden or wide turns without signaling or checking their blind spots, causing cars to collide with them.

On the other hand, car drivers may follow trucks too closely or fail to react in time to a truck’s movements.

Both truck and car drivers need to be aware of the dangers and drive cautiously to prevent these types of accidents.

Legal Aspects of Underride Truck Accidents

The legal aspects of underride truck accidents can be complex. Determining liability is crucial in these cases.

Several parties could be at fault for your injuries. The truck driver, trucking company, or even the manufacturer of the truck or underride guard can be held responsible.

Truck drivers must follow specific safety regulations, and trucking companies are required to ensure their vehicles are safe and properly maintained.

When these parties fail to meet their obligations, they can be held liable for accidents.

Steps to Take After an Underride Accident

If you are involved in an underride accident, there are several important steps to take.

Seek Medical Attention

After a crash, you should get treated immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor. Some injuries may not be apparent right away.

Collect Evidence at the Scene

Document the accident scene if you can. Take photos of the vehicles, the road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and make sure to get the truck driver’s details.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer ASAP

It’s crucial to contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience with underride accidents. Facing a trucking company on your own can be challenging, and the laws surrounding these claims are complex.

A truck accident lawyer can improve your chances in the fight for compensation. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and help you build a case.

How Do I Get Compensation for an Underride Accident?

Getting a personal injury settlement for an underride accident involves several steps. Your lawyer will start by investigating the accident to gather evidence.

This may include reviewing police reports, obtaining witness statements, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts.

Your lawyer will then file a claim against the liable parties, which could include the truck driver, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of the underride guard.

The goal is to negotiate a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may take your case to court.

There Are Safety Measures to Prevent Underride Crashes

Preventing underride crashes requires a combination of improved truck design, better regulations, and increased driver awareness.

Federal standards require rear underride guards on trucks, but these standards need to be stricter.

Advocates are pushing for stronger guards that can withstand higher impact speeds and for the mandatory installation of side underride guards. New legislation has been introduced to increase regulation of traffic standards.

Additionally, truck drivers need better training to understand the risks of underride accidents and how to avoid them.

Car drivers should also be educated about the dangers of driving too closely to large trucks and the importance of staying out of their blind spots.

Call the Staver Team for Help After a Truck Crash

Understanding the dangers of underride truck accidents can help you take steps to protect yourself on the road.

But if you or a loved one has been involved in an underride accident, getting help fighting for the compensation you deserve is critical. The Staver Accident Injury Lawyers know how terrible a truck crash can be. We are here to help.

We have helped countless clients seek compensation for their injuries caused by negligence. We understand how devastating crashes can be. The Staver team is ready to help. Call (312) 236-2900 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.