Truck accidents are responsible for a significant number of injuries in the United States each year, many of which are the result of preventable accidents. In fact, in excess of 100,000 individuals were injured in accidents involving large trucks in 2012 alone. Rear underride accidents are a particularly dangerous type of semi-truck accident as they can result in extremely serious injuries to the occupants of passenger vehicles. While federal regulations require most trucks to have rear underride guards, a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has indicated that the standards for these guards are not high enough to prevent serious injury. People injured in semi-truck underride accident maybe entitled to substantial compensation, and should discuss their case with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after being involved in a semi-truck accident.
Common Causes of Rear Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a semi-truck. They are particularly dangerous as they often do not engage a vehicle’s airbags and also may breach the smaller vehicle’s passenger space. These accidents can occur for a number of reasons, but some of the most common include the following:
- Speeding
- Brake failure
- Poor weather conditions
- Sudden stops
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Broken or malfunctioning taillights
The most important issue in determining whether you can recover after an accident involving a semi-truck is whether the accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence. Because of the inherent risk that large trucks can pose, almost every aspect of the industry is regulated by state and federal law. If a truck driver or trucking company was in breach of any of these regulations, it may be sufficient to establish legal liability in the event of an accident. Because of the complicated and highly technical nature of these regulations, it is important to retain an attorney that is familiar with representing clients injured in semi-truck accidents.
Contact a Palmetto truck accident attorney for a free consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. To schedule a free consultation with one of truck accident attorneys, call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656.