Underride Accidents

Types of Tractor Trailer Accidents

An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle collides with the side or rear of a truck and slides underneath the body of a trailer. Underride accidents typically cause serious, if not fatal, injuries. When a passenger vehicle travels under the higher body of a truck, the trailer will intrude on the occupant compartment of the car, causing head trauma, brain injuries or decapitation to those inside.

Because the body of a trailer sits higher than the average passenger vehicle, trucks are required to be equipped with certain underride protections. When a trucking company fails to take the proper precautions, they can be held accountable for any damages resulting from an underride accident. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New York underride accident, fill out our free case review form on the right. Our tractor trailer accident lawyers in New York will evaluate your claim, at no cost to you, to determine your eligibility for a truck accident lawsuit.

Causes of Underride Accidents in New York

Nearly 40% of fatal underride truck accidents occur when the passenger vehicle travels under the rear corner of the truck. These underride accidents typically develop because the truck makes a sudden stop or the driver fails to notice the vehicle due to missing or obscured reflective tape. Other causes of underride accidents include:

• Lack of a rear bumper or protective guard
• Poorly designed guard
• Lack of proper taillights
• Slow moving truck
• Failure on part of the truck driver to use warning cones when parking on the shoulder

Preventing Underride Truck Accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all trucks and trailers manufactured after 1998 be equipped with rear impact guards to prevent underride accidents. Additionally, since March 1999, the agency mandated that trailers be outfitted with reflectors or reflective tape. Drivers must ensure their reflectors are visible, as dirt-covered reflective devices provide little help to other motorists. As a preventative measure, truck drivers should also have their brakes inspected regularly, keep a safe following distance and utilize warning signs when parked on the side of the road. When truck drivers or trucking companies fail to take these proper safety precautions, they can be held accountable for any resulting damages.

New York Underride Accident Lawyers

Underride collisions are serious truck accidents that can result in life-changing injuries that deserve compensation. Truck accident victims that survive underride crashes may suffer extensive brain damage, paralysis or other serious injuries. As a result, most underride truck accident victims will need long-term medical treatment, physical therapy and assistive devices, placing an unwanted financial burden on the victim and their loved ones. To help our clients afford proper medical care, our New York truck accident attorneys seek maximum compensation for damages including but not limited to medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. To find out if you are eligible to recover financial compensation, click the link below to receive a free case review from a New York tractor trailer accident lawyer.