One of the most dangerous types of commercial truck accident is when a smaller vehicles travels under the back of the trailer of the truck. This types of accident is called an underride accident and it often causes fatal or permanently disabling injuries. If you have been involved in an underride accident, an experienced Corinth truck accident lawyer can help you recover.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require that commercial trucks be equipped with guardrails that go across the bottom of the back of the truck’s trailer. These are called underride guards, and they meant to keep cars from traveling under the back of the truck in the event of a rear-end collision with the truck. Though these guards regularly protect motorists form underride accidents, many times the railing is not enough.
For example, when a car collides with the truck on the outer edges of the trailer, the guardrail does not prevent the car from traveling under the trailer. Additionally, under some circumstances, a collision causes the guard to fall off or loosen, which allows the car to go under the trailer. As a result of these malfunctions and continuing underride accidents, the FMCSA has research teams looking into how to improve the guards to properly protect motorists from underride accidents. Until then, motorists should always avoid following a truck too closely.
Contact a Corinth truck accident lawyer for a free consultation
Underride accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries or death for victims. If you or a loved one has suffered injury in an underride truck accident, you may file a claim against the responsible party to receive the compensation you deserve. You may seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, future lost income, permanent disabilities, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced truck accident attorney at Shane Smith Law knows how to get you the full settlement to cover all of you losses. Do not hesitate to call our office today at (980) 246-2656 to schedule a free consultation.