Underride Accidents
What Are Underride Crashes?
These types of crashes occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the back part of a truck or trailer. While motorcyclists and pedestrians are put in the most danger due to their complete lack of protection, it’s not much better for people in passenger vehicles. Many of these vehicle’s hoods are approximately the same height as the underside of a truck, which means that when a collision occurs with the side of a truck’s trailer, the top of a car can be crushed or completely torn off, even in low-speed collisions. Many trucks are fitted with underride guards to prevent cars from sliding underneath their trailers, but these often do not provide adequate protection.
These Types Of Crashes Claim Hundreds Of Lives Every Year
Nearly 4,000 people were killed in truck crashes in 2015 alone, and an estimated 84% of those were people hit by the truck. Accidents are categorized by the cause of death, and underride crashes are among the deadliest recorded. According to the National Automotive Sampling System and the Fatality Analysis Report System, approximately one in every five fatalities is caused by underride crashes.
Call us at 312-500-1792 to discuss your case with a member of our firm today.
Dealing with the aftermath of a truck crash is difficult enough on its own, so let us help you handle the legal side of your situation. At Power Rogers, our Chicago underride accident lawyers have successfully fought for the rights of thousands of injured victims since we first opened our doors. If you were seriously injured by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you secure the maximum compensation possible.
How Can Underride Crashes Happen?
Because of the frequency of underride accidents, trucks are required to be fitted with equipment designed to mitigate the risk of this type of accident. However, a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discovered that this safety equipment isn’t strong enough to work as designed to prevent low-speed crashes and often fails at high speeds.
Some common factors that can lead to this type of accident include:
- Drowsy driving
- Defective equipment
- Driving while intoxicated
- Inexperienced drivers
- Dangerous road conditions
- Mechanical failure
- Road hazards like potholes, debris, etc.
Work With A Law Firm You Can Count On
Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Power Rogers have dedicated their careers to working with injured victims. Through our tireless efforts, we have secured more than $5 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients. If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, call us at 312-500-1792 to discuss your case over the phone today or fill out our online form to get started with a free case evaluation.
