According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Large Trucks and Bus Facts report, there were 4,805 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2019. One type of accident included in this report is underride truck crashes. An underride accident occurs when a car slides underneath a truck’s trailer during a collision. This type of accident is one of the most serious and usually results in catastrophic injuries and even death. While certain safety precautions can help prevent an underride accident, they are not always enforced. Our Florida truck accident lawyer explains what steps to take if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck underride accident. 
Types and Causes of Truck Underride Accidents
Some large truck manufacturers install side underride guards or a rear safety bar on their vehicles to help prevent underride accidents. However, these guards are not required on all trucks, and if they are not manufactured correctly or well maintained, they won’t protect motorists from getting trapped underneath during a crash.
Two Types of Truck Underride Accidents
- Side underride. A side truck underride accident occurs when a car slides under the side of a large truck’s trailer. This type of crash can occur if there is no side guard in place, and the driver of the car does not see a truck when the truck is making a right or left turn or a U-turn. These accidents occur more at night or when there is poor visibility.
- Rear underride. A rear truck underride accident occurs when a car slides under the rear of a large truck’s trailer. This can occur if there is no rear guard in place, and the truck does not have taillights that are operating properly. Additionally, this type of accident can occur if the truck driver does not use emergency flashers or other warnings when parked or broken down on the side of a road or does not indicate that they are slowing down.
Other Causes of Truck Underride Accidents
- A truck brakes or stops without warning
- A truck fails to display warning devices
- A truck fails to use underride guards or rear safety bars
- A trucking company fails to ensure proper truck maintenance
Potential Underride Accident Injuries and Who Is Liable
Truck accidents can be devastating due to the massive size and weight of the truck, and they result in some of the worst injuries. Many truck underride crashes cause fatalities.
Common Types of Underride Accident Injuries
- Spinal cord and brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Damage to internal organs
- Internal bleeding
- Dismemberment
- Permanent disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Death
Various parties can be held liable for an underride accident such as the driver of the truck, truck manufacturer, trucking company, or even the person responsible for maintaining the truck. An experienced truck accident lawyer can determine who is responsible for the accident.
Potential Compensation for a Truck Underride Accident
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Florida truck underride accident, contact Browning Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation. There are never any legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule an appointment, fill out our online contact form, or call us at 850-344-1736.
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