Other than head-on collisions, few types of accidents cause as many catastrophic injuries and deaths as truck override collisions. These crashes happen when a much smaller passenger car or truck slides beneath a semitruck either from the rear or from either side of the big rig.
In a truck override collision, often the passenger compartment is completely crushed, leading to injuries that are incompatible with life. Even when the crash is not a fatal one, the injuries suffered by those in the passenger vehicle can cause irreversible damage and lifelong disabilities.
What the law says about underride accidents
The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) now requires rear underride guards that act as safety bars and stop these types of collisions. However, no such guards are mandated for the sides of the 18-wheelers, nor does it inspect the underride guards.
Although research done by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the DOT indicates that underride crashes comprise only a small percentage of highway deaths, if such an accident happens to you or your loved ones, statistics go out the window.
Are underride crashes underreported?
They may very well be. Data collection on the federal, state and local levels varies widely across the nation. What some police routinely report as an underride crash may go unreported in another jurisdiction. Therefore, it is unrealistic to assume that the percentages are actually as low as reports indicate.
What you need is results
In the aftermath of such a serious accident with injuries, you will likely have a long recuperation. Even then, you may never be able to return to the life you enjoyed before. That makes it especially prudent to learn about all the available options to recover financial compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company.
