Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a larger vehicle, such as a truck or trailer, and the smaller vehicle ends up wedged beneath the larger one. While they’re not the most common kind of wreck you see on the road, there are about 219 underride crashes every year – and they are among the most disastrous and deadly.
Some common causes of underride accidents include:
Poor visibility
Drivers may not see a truck or trailer until it is too late to avoid a collision, especially in low-light conditions or if the truck or trailer does not have proper lighting.
Driver error
Drivers may be distracted, fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, causing them to make errors in judgment or lose control of their vehicle.
Equipment failures
Defective brakes, tires or other equipment can cause a truck or trailer to stop suddenly or swerve out of control, leading to an underride accident.
Improper loading
Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck or trailer to become unstable, leading to an accident.
Missing safety features
Some trucks or trailers may not be equipped with proper underride guards, which can prevent a smaller vehicle from sliding underneath the larger one in the event of a collision.
It’s important for drivers to be aware of the risks of underride accidents and take precautions to avoid them, such as maintaining a safe following distance and staying focused while driving – but even the safest driver can still end up in a wreck through no fault of their own. If you’ve been hurt in a serious wreck or your loved one was killed, find out more about what it takes to pursue fair compensation.
