Truck Underride Crashes

In 2010, there were over 5,000 truck accidents in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. One of the most dangerous types of truck accidents to occur on Florida highways is the truck underride accident. When a passenger vehicle strikes a commercial truck and then slides underneath the body of truck, this is considered to be truck underride crash. These types of accidents can cause critical injuries and fatalities.

If you or a loved one has been injured in truck underride accident, you may be eligible for financial and legal recourse. Contact an experienced Florida truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options.

To schedule a Free Case Evaluation, complete the contact form or call 1 (855) 722-2552.

Types of Truck Underride Crashes

Truck underride crashes can be divided into two categories, a rear underride accident or a side underride accident. A rear underride accident is when a vehicle collides with a truck and then slides underneath. While a side underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the side of the truck after the initial collision.

Causes of Truck Underride Accidents

There are several factors that may contribute to a truck underride accident. The following factors can cause in result in an underride crash:

• Headlights on a truck that are dim, dirty or faulty
• A slow moving truck and driver that fails to turn on the emergency flashers
• A truck that is broken down on the road and the driver does not use reflective triangles
• A truck that is not moving at the speed of traffic
• Inadequate safety lighting when a driver is turning or obstructing traffic.
• The underride guard fails

Regulations for Underride Guard Rails

Currently, there are regulations that require trailers and semi-trailers to have underride guards installed to protect occupants in a passenger vehicle in the event of rear-end truck accident. However, there are regulatory gaps that allow some trucks to be exempt from these regulations. Some experts argue that these standards fail to adequately protect passenger vehicle occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to toughen their standards for underride guard rails.

If you believe that an underride guard failure contributed to your injury, contact Gordon & Partners today.

Filing a Truck Underride Accident Lawsuit

If you or a family member has sustained an injury in truck underride crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney at Gordon & Partners to explore your legal options. After the hearing about the details of your accident, an attorney will advise you on the best legal remedy to pursue.

It’s imperative to speak with an attorney immediately after a truck collision. You want an attorney to start working on your case as soon as possible. A knowledgeable attorney will gather critical evidence before it disappears and interview any witnesses. These important steps will help the attorney build the strongest case possible for your claim.

Our lawyers have helped many truck accident victims receive maximum compensation for their injuries. We are dedicated to helping injured individuals in South Florida receive the justice that they deserve.

To schedule a no obligation consultation, fill out the contact form or call 1 (855) 722-2552.