There are many hazards that come when semi-trucks share the road with passenger vehicles. One of these is the risk of an underride crash, which occurs when the smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of the semitruck.
When a smaller vehicle hits the trailer instead of the bumper, the top of the vehicle can shear off. In some cases, the vehicle may be crushed. This can lead to catastrophic injuries for anyone in the passenger area of the smaller vehicle.
Why is an underride crash serious?
Underride crashes can occur on the rear or side of the trailer. A rear underride happens when a vehicle rear-ends the back of the truck, which is common when the semitruck stops suddenly in front of the passenger vehicle. A side underride crash happens when the vehicle slides under the side of the trailer, which is common during a lane change, turn or intersection crash.
While semitrucks are required to have specific safety features to help prevent underride crashes, the minimum standards aren’t always effective. In many cases, the side underride barriers aren’t effective in preventing a vehicle from going under the trailer.
The severity of an underride crash is directly impacted by the height difference between the vehicles. In a typical crash, bumpers, airbags, crumple zones, and seat belts help to reduce harm; however, the point of impact in an underride crash may be higher than the location of the crash protection features in a smaller vehicle.
Underride crashes often lead to severe neck, spine and head injuries. In some cases, the injuries may be fatal. Ultimately, victims who survive require immediate medical attention. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim for the financial damages they’re dealing with. Working with someone familiar with these crashes may be beneficial in these cases.