The possibility of an underride crash makes accidents involving trucks more likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities. When a smaller vehicle collides with a truck, it may end up beneath the truck.
Here is what to know about underride accidents:
How does it happen?
An underride crash can occur when a smaller vehicle hits the rear or side of a truck and slides underneath it in the gaps between the truck’s wheels.
Various causes can result in this type of accident. These include aggressive driving, distracted driving, failing to yield, drunk driving and vehicle defects.
For instance, if a truck driver is distracted, they may not notice an obstruction, such as traffic, on time. As a result, they may suddenly brake, which means a following driver in a smaller vehicle may not have space and time to stop safely.
Further, if a smaller vehicle is overtaking a truck, after observing all the safety measures, and the truck driver accelerates, an underride crash is likely to happen because the driver of the smaller vehicle may not have enough space to pass or merge back into their lane.
Why is it dangerous?
Every crash is dangerous, but an underride can be extremely dangerous. This is because airbags and other safety features of the smaller vehicle are typically not activated since the point of impact is usually their hood or windshield. Accordingly, the occupant(s) of the smaller car may not have added protection in the crash, which can result in serious head and neck injuries.
Other injuries reported in underride accidents are broken bones, lacerations, spinal cord injuries and internal bleeding. The rate of fatalities from underride crashes is also high.
What can you do?
If you are injured in an underride crash, you need to learn more about the accident. Being adequately informed can help you determine the steps to take to seek fair compensation.
