Busy roadways are a constant dance between different-sized vehicles.
While most interactions go smoothly, underride truck accidents – notorious for their devastating consequences – stand out as a terrifying exception.
Anatomy of an underride accident
Unlike average truck accidents, underride truck crashes pose a high risk of catastrophic injuries to those in the smaller vehicle. Here is how these accidents often play out.
- Initial collision. A small auto collides with a semi, often due to adverse weather or trucker inattention.
- Underride occurs. As a result, the car slides underneath the truck’s trailer, entering the space between its wheels.
- Safety features bypassed. Safety features like airbags do not deploy due to the height difference between the two vehicles.
- Catastrophic injuries ensue. The topmost structure of the car fails, leading to severe injuries, especially in the upper body region.
Unfortunately, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage are two tragic results of underride accidents.
Causes and contributing factors
Rear-end collisions are often responsible, especially when a truck brakes suddenly. Poor maintenance (malfunctioning truck lights, etc.) can exacerbate the risk. Other times, trucker negligence can force a car into a dangerous position.
The devastating aftermath
Those who survive usually face severe injuries, extensive medical bills, and potential long-term disability. If life loss occurs, families are left grappling with grief and financial hardship simultaneously.
An accident claim reflecting the need for full compensation can help you accomplish three things:
- Accountability. Seeking maximum compensation holds wrongdoers accountable, supporting victim justice.
- Financial and physical recovery. Seeking maximum compensation supports your economic and physical recovery, easing stress.
- Safety advocacy: Seeking maximum compensation pressures lawyers and trucking companies to improve safety measures like underride guards, helping prevent further accidents.
Seek a legal review to learn more about the possibilities under California accident compensation laws.
