Car crashes come in different degrees of severity. Collisions involving semi-trucks generally tend to be worse than collisions involving vehicles of similar sizes. Even when looking specifically at semi-truck collisions with passenger vehicles, some wrecks are far worse than others.
Underride collisions are among the most devastating types of commercial vehicle collisions. Frequently, motorists can reduce the likelihood of these crashes occurring by giving trucks more space on the road. Commercial drivers can also reduce risk by monitoring their surroundings carefully and following all relevant traffic laws. Sadly, underride collisions claim lives every year.
Can transportation companies take steps to limit the chances of underride collisions?
Companies can install special guards
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) already requires rear underride guards. The trailers of semi-trucks must have rear underride guards installed to prevent rear-end crashes from turning into tragedies. Trucking companies can enhance the protection of everyone in traffic by investing in guards that are bigger and stronger than the minimum standards established by the FMCSA.
They can also choose to install side underride guards, which are not currently mandatory. These devices could save lives and drastically reduce the severity of crashes where passenger vehicles strike semi-trucks from the side or a truck driver merges into an occupied lane.
Understanding whose choices contributed to a crash can help those affected by a wreck seek justice. Filing a civil lawsuit is sometimes necessary in cases where semi-truck collisions cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. In cases involving poor vehicle maintenance and substandard underride guards, a transportation company might be liable for the damages caused by a preventable crash.