Underride Truck Accidents: Why These Collisions Are So Deadly
The legal team at Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC has helped countless clients who have suffered form injuries sustained in auto collisions. Some of the worst crashes involve large truck accidents simply given the force created from such impacts. That’s why our Oklahoma City, OK injury accidents lawyers take time to help those affected by these crashes.
Underride truck accidents are among the most deadly kinds of tractor-trailer crashes. Let’s cover the basics of these accidents and what typically causes them to happen.
About Underride Truck Accidents
An underride truck accident occurs when a car strikes the underside of a tractor-trailer and becomes pinned underneath. This might occur as a result of a sideswipe accident, a rear end collision, or a t-bone crash. It’s estimated that 200 Americans are killed each year in underride truck accident.
A t-bone underride truck accident is most likely to end in fatal injuries since the top of a vehicle may be sheared off completely. Any sort of safety features in a vehicle are completely useless in these sorts of collisions.
Tailgating and Underride Truck Accidents
If a driver is too close to the large truck ahead of them, there is a much higher likelihood of a rear end collision occurring. Stopping a car takes space and time, so be sure to drive with ample car lengths between you and the vehicle ahead of you, especially when it comes to large trucks.
Malfunctioning Brake Lights and Tail Lights
Rear end underride truck accidents are also more likely when the truck’s lights don’t work properly. When drivers are not sure that you will be merging lanes or slowing down, they will not be able to react accordingly. Drivers and trucking companies must maintain their vehicles.
Lack of Reflective Tape on the Trailer
Though we take it for granted, reflective tape can sometimes be a last line of defense with regard to traffic collisions. When driving at night, the reflective tape can at least offer a final warning to motorists of a hazard ahead of them.
Trailer Blocking the Intersection
Large trucks can sometimes wind up blocking out intersections. When this happens, traffic traveling perpendicular to the truck could collide with the trailer, resulting in a horrendous t-bone collision. This is why truck drivers need to avoid having their trailers block intersections.
Truck Driver Negligence
In addition to being aware of the space their large truck takes up, drivers must exercise great caution while behind the wheel of their tractor-trailer. If they speed, violate traffic laws, or merge without signaling or checking their blindspot, this can result in serious underride collisions.
No Underride Guard on the Back of the Trailer
An underride guard is a reinforced rail that’s set up along the back and sides of a trailer. With an underride guard in place, a vehicle is unable to slip under the trailer of a large truck. While injuries from a reared, t-bone, or sideswipe collisions can occur, there will typically be less severe than those sustained in an underride collision.
Poor Weather Conditions
Bad weather on the road can spell disaster for all motorists. Rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog can lead to poor vehicle control and low visibility. Both make underride collisions more likely. Exercise caution whenever you are driving in bad weather or road conditions.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers
For more information about your legal rights and options and how we can help you following a truck accident, contact the attorneys of Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC. We will help you and your loved ones in your time of legal need.
