Truck underride accidents can be devastating and can result in serious injury or even death. Underride accidents happen when a smaller passenger vehicle collides with the side or rear of a large commercial truck, and the car slides beneath it. Victims of truck underride accidents go through extreme physical, emotional, and financial hardship.
If you or a loved one is involved in a truck underride accident, an experienced attorney at our firm can help. At the Elrod Pope Law Firm, we understand the emotional and financial toll these accidents can take on victims and their families.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers will fight for your rights to receive the compensation you deserve for your losses. Contact our attorneys in Rock Hill, South Carolina, today for a free initial consultation.
Causes of Truck Underride Accidents
Truck underride accidents can still happen despite required safety measures, such as side guards and rear underride guards. Some of the causes of these accidents include:
Lack of guards or improper guards
While federal law requires most large commercial trucks to have side and rear underride guards, some truck owners do not comply with these laws. Similarly, if these guards are already installed but are not properly maintained or repaired, they can fail in an accident resulting in a truck underride crash.
Some companies even use substandard guards or guards that might be too high up. In both cases, the guards might not meet the strength, size, and impact requirements and can easily give way in the event of an accident.
Unsafe driving behaviors
Truck drivers who drive recklessly or ignore traffic laws are more likely to cause a truck underride collision. Some driver errors that are likely to cause truck underride collisions are:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Lane cutting
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield at intersections
- Drunk driving
- Fatigue
Vehicle defects
Trucks that are not regularly inspected or maintained can cause truck underride accidents. If a driver is driving an overloaded truck, the brakes might not be able to stop it on time, which can result in a collision with a smaller vehicle. Similarly, if the tires are worn out or defective, they can blow out, leading to an underride accident.
Environmental factors
Some underride truck collision accidents occur due to uncontrollable environmental factors such as bad weather, damaged or poorly designed roads, and traffic congestion.
Compensation for Underride Accident Injuries
Underride accidents result in life-altering injuries and sometimes even death. Victims and their families often have to bear immense financial and emotional strain. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride collision, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses.
These can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral costs
- Punitive damages
- Emotional distress
- Other losses related to the accident
You might be entitled to compensation if you were involved in an underride crash due to the negligence of the truck driver, the truck management company or manufacturer, or another person’s negligence or fault. But to prove negligence and get the compensation you deserve, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced truck underride accident lawyer.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Rock Hill, SC
At Elrod Pope Law Firm in Rock Hill, SC, we understand your rights as a truck accident victim and will fight for them. Our skilled lawyers have decades of experience representing victims of truck accidents.
Our legal team will investigate your case, review the evidence and advise you on what steps to take to get fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers.
Underride Truck Accident FAQs
Why should you hire a truck accident lawyer?
Truck accident lawyers understand how to navigate the complicated laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. We will handle the insurance companies, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
How is a fault in a truck underride accident determined?
To prove fault in a truck underride accident, your attorney will have to prove that the defendant was negligent. Negligence is proven when it can be shown that the other driver or company was careless and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an accident from happening.
Your lawyer will analyze all the evidence, such as police reports, eyewitness testimony, medical records, and any other relevant evidence, to prove your case in court.
How does insurance work if you’re not at fault?
If you are not at fault for the truck underride crash, you have the right to file a personal injury claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf and ensure you get fair compensation for your losses. The amount of compensation can vary depending on different factors, such as the extent of damages, medical costs, and lost wages.
If the insurance company fails to provide fair compensation for your losses, your attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit. A successful lawsuit can result in substantial compensation for your damages.
