Many people go years without experiencing a motor vehicle collision, but every mile they travel puts them at risk. Certain types of collisions have greater potential than others to cause severe injury or even death. Semi-truck collisions have the potential to be devastating for people in passenger vehicles.
The size discrepancy between the vehicles can cause severe vehicle damage and catastrophic injuries. The people in the smaller vehicle face far more risk than the person driving the commercial truck. Even when looking specifically at semi-truck crashes, certain types are more serious than others. Underride collisions, in particular, are notorious for having high fatality rates. Drivers who are aware of what may put them at risk of an underride collision can potentially make choices that keep them safer in traffic.
What factors contribute to the likelihood of an underride crash?
Forced proximity with a semi-truck
Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle strikes the side or rear of a semi-truck’s trailer. The closer a passenger vehicle is to a semi truck, the greater the likelihood of an underride collision occurring. It only takes a second for a mistake to cause a devastating crash when there are mere feet between passenger vehicles and semi-trucks.
If the passenger vehicle is in the blind spot of the semi-truck, the commercial driver could overlook the vehicle before turning or merging with devastating consequences. The person operating the smaller vehicle could also make mistakes that lead to them losing control and striking the commercial truck.
Missing or mediocre underride guards
Federal regulations currently require rear underride guards on the trailers of semi-trucks. However, many companies allow the guards to degrade over time and purchase the cheapest options available, rather than the best guards on the market. Side underride guards are typically not mandatory unless semi-trucks cross the border into Canada. Trucking companies may not invest in these lifesaving devices.
In many cases, people can connect underride collisions to poor choices by commercial drivers or the people operating transportation companies. Those involved in collisions or who lose their loved ones after a semi-truck crash may need help seeking justice, and that’s okay. Filing an insurance claim or even a lawsuit may be possible after an underride collision or another major semi-truck crash.