An underride truck accident is one of the most dangerous car crashes a person can be involved in. It often happens when a small vehicle hits the space between the wheels of an 18-wheeler’s trailer, and that vehicle then becomes trapped under the trailer.
Because the small vehicle gets pinned, it can delay emergency responders who are trying to provide care to the occupants. When people have suffered serious injuries, even a delay of a few minutes can make a drastic difference.
Additionally, there is a massive size difference between the vehicles. The bottom edge of a truck’s trailer may be roughly at the level of a driver’s chest and head during the collision. When two cars collide that are the same size, there is a greater chance of injuries to the lower extremities. But underride accidents often lead to head, chest, neck and spinal cord injuries.
Why do underride accidents happen?
These accidents can happen in a variety of ways, such as when one vehicle merges into another on the interstate or when a small vehicle rear-ends a truck that is already stopped.
But one of the most common reasons is when a truck driver makes a turn in front of oncoming traffic, and the smaller vehicle strikes the side of the trailer as it turns. This could happen if the driver has to make a left turn and fails to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, for example. Because the truck can block the entire road, it is very difficult for the driver of the smaller vehicle to avoid the collision.
Seeking financial compensation
Because underride accidents can lead to such severe injuries, victims could be facing high medical bills, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity and long-term medical needs. It is important for them to know exactly what legal steps they can take to seek the financial compensation they deserve.