The term “underride truck accident” is one that you hope to never have to know because if you do, it’s probably in relation to a severe or even fatal accident. If you find yourself in this situation, contact a San Antonio truck accident lawyer immediately for legal assistance.
What Is an Underride Truck Accident?
Underride truck accidents are one of the most devastating types of crashes on roadways. These accidents occur when a smaller car slides underneath the back or side of a commercial truck. In some instances, the smaller vehicle’s top is crushed or sheared off.
Dangers of Underride Truck Accidents
Due to the nature of these accidents, occupants in the passenger vehicle tend to suffer severe injuries, sometimes even decapitation. These crashes are more likely to result in fatalities when compared to other types of truck accidents.
If you have suffered a serious injury or the loss of a loved one in an underride truck accident, you may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim in San Antonio to seek justice and accountability for the harm you’ve suffered. However, the first step is to determine why the crash happened and who is legally responsible for it.
Common Causes of Underride Truck Crashes
Underride truck crashes can occur for various reasons, with some of the most common being the following:
- Lack of underride guards: Commercial trucks are required by federal trucking regulations to include rear underride guards, which are intended to prevent smaller vehicles from getting underneath the semi-truck’s trailer. Crashes can occur when these guards are missing or damaged.
- Sudden stops: A truck driver who slams on their brakes can cause a smaller vehicle behind them to slide underneath the trailer, potentially leading to crushing injuries.
- Defective auto equipment: The truck’s lights could be out, so that a motorist does not see the truck when traveling at night.
- Improper lane changes: Blind spot underride crashes can occur when a truck driver fails to check their blind spots and drives over the vehicle next to them when merging or switching lanes.
Legal Liability for Underride Truck Crashes
Various parties could be responsible for underride truck accidents, including:
- Truck driver: The driver could have operated the truck in a dangerous way, such as by speeding, slamming on their brakes, or not checking their blind spots.
- Trucking company: The truck company could be responsible for the truck driver’s negligence, as well as their own, such as failing to equip its trucks with functioning underride guards or failing to train its drivers properly.
- Truck manufacturer: The manufacturer of defective truck parts, such as underride guards or brakes could be responsible in some situations.
- Mechanic: The mechanic who performed poor maintenance or failed to spot that underride guards needed to be replaced or repaired could be responsible in some instances.
Hire Our San Antonio Underride Truck Accident Lawyer to Protect Your Legal Rights
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, you need an experienced San Antonio accident attorney who isn’t afraid to fight for you. George Salinas Injury Lawyers and its team of trial attorneys is prepared to take your case to court and demand the financial compensation you are owed. Call us today for a free case review. Bottom of Form