Tractor trailers and large trucks have a high clearance under their carriages. Unfortunately, these large carriages can be hazardous in the event of an accident with a smaller automobile.
One of the most common truck accidents occurs when a vehicle slides under the truck, crushing the top of the vehicle, resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities. This is known as an underride or under carriage truck accident.
The team at Pope & Howard, P.C. in Atlanta has a great deal of experience trying truck accident cases. Attorneys Marc Howard and Geoff Pope will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve following an underride collision. Read below for more information about underride truck accidents or schedule a free consultation at our Atlanta office.
Unfortunately, under carriage accidents occur more frequently than you would think. Side underride collisions make up an estimate 22% of truck accidents. When an underride collision occurs, the most serious concern is the impact to the passenger’s head.
Due to the severity of underride collisions, victims could face hefty medical bills, lost wages, and future ongoing medical treatments for truck accident injuries, which can include:
If you witness an underride accident, call 911 immediately.
To prevent underride truck accidents, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has required that large tractor trailers and trucks use both rear impact guards and reflectors.
However, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed a crash study on the effectiveness of rear impact guards. They found that even at speeds as low as 35 MPH, guards could tear off or bend forward. Unfortunately, this means that the passenger car could still slide under the truck.
Furthermore, trucks are not required to have guards on the side of the semi-trucks, so there is still the potential for a dangerous collision on the side of the trailer.
Truck accidents can be incredibly complex, since more than one entity could be liable for injuries sustained during the accident. That’s why it’s important to contact a law firm with experience in truck accident law.
The attorneys at Pope & Howard previously represented trucking companies, which gives them the unique ability to understand the ins and outs of the industry from both sides of the table. Now, our team fights on behalf of hundreds of truck accident victims, working hard to get them just compensation for injuries, lost wages, and much more.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an underride collision, contact us for a free consultation at 404-885-9999 or fill out our online contact form. We will talk to you about your case and advise you of the best course of action.