Truck Underride Accident - DC Truck Accident Lawyer - Rockville Maryland

Phone: 301-838-0199
Email: main@ainsteinlaw.com

Truck Underride Crashes

What is a truck underride crash?

In an underride crash, a passenger vehicle goes partially or wholly under a truck or trailer. When this happens the likelihood of the car’s occupants suffering fatal injuries or serious injuries is significantly increased.

A 1997 Institute study of fatal crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles estimated that underride occurred in half of these crashes. Of the underride crashes, 57 percent involved the front of the truck, 22 percent involved the rear, and 20 percent the side.

Safety Standards for Large Trucks

A federal rule to upgrade the rear-impact guard standard for new trailers took effect in January 1998. Several truck types are exempt from the rule, including straight trucks, and wheels-back trucks, and various types of special purpose trucks. The effects of the improved guard in preventing deaths and injuries in rear impact crashes are unknown. Regulations in Canada require stronger rear underride guards than in the United States.

There is no requirement for front or side underride guards in the United States. European Union regulations have required front underride guards on large trucks since 2003. Underride guards have been required on the sides of trucks since 1989. These guards are primarily intended to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. The regulations in Canada impose more stringent requirements for rear underride guards than US regulations.