When most people think of accidents involving large trucks, they think of head-on collisions or side-impact crashes between a truck and a traditional passenger vehicle. However, underride crashes are also common, and these incidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and even fatalities for drivers and passengers inside vehicles. Underride incidents happen when the momentum of another crash forces a passenger vehicle underneath a large truck. Essentially, a vehicle slides under the truck. Please reach out to a Philadelphia injury lawyer to learn more!
Statistics & Injuries
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were more than 7,300 total crashes involving heavy trucks during the latest reporting year. Out of these incidents, there were 118 fatalities and thousands of injuries. While the Pennsylvania DOT does not publish data on how many underride accidents occur, an NBC report does show that approximately 200 people a year are killed in these incidents each year across the country.
Regardless of whether a large truck is moving or not, underride collisions are likely to lead to severe injuries. When the force of an impact causes a passenger vehicle to slide underneath a large truck, it is not uncommon for the top portion of the vehicle to be severely damaged or even sheared off completely. For those inside the passenger vehicle, this can result in catastrophic injuries, including the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Severe internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
Causes
There are many contributing factors underride collisions. Some of the main causes of underride crashes in Philadelphia include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A truck driver stopped suddenly
- A truck driver making an illegal lane change
- Truck drivers failing to travel according to the flow of traffic
- Truck drivers failing to use emergency flashers when stopped on the side of the road
- Truck drivers failing to use reflective triangles when stopped on the side of the road
- Trucks that have faulty or defective side safety lighting
- Trucks that have dim, dirty, or faulty taillights, making it impossible to warn other drivers when a truck is slowing down, stopping, or turning
Problems with Tractor-Trailer Underride Guards
Many large trucks have underride guards in Pennsylvania. These underride guards are long pieces of steel attached to the bottom of a truck that are designed to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath if a crash occurs. Sometimes these guards look like flat pieces of metal, but they often look like metal frames that crisscross along the sides of the truck.
However, it is important to point out that underride guards are required by federal law only along the back of trucks. There is no requirement that large commercial trucks have underride guards along the sides of the truck.
Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices
If you are somebody you love has been injured in an underride accident with a large truck, contact a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer today. At the Ciccarelli Law Offices, our qualified and experienced team will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident in order to secure any compensation you are entitled to. This can include coverage of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and more. If you have lost a loved one due to an underride accident, we may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim on your behalf. When you need a Philadelphia accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case or calling (215) 228-0100.