An underride accident is one of the most dangerous types of car accidents a person can be involved in. While many crashes result in minor injuries, an underride accident is far more likely to cause traumatic injuries, such as neck and head injuries. These injuries can be life-altering for victims.
An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle passes underneath a taller one, possibly becoming wedged below it. For example, a car driving down the highway may collide with a semi-truck’s trailer if the truck makes a sudden left turn, cutting off the car. The vehicle strikes the trailer between the wheels, smashing the smaller car underneath. Why do these accidents, in particular, lead to more serious injuries?
Size differences and impact points
The primary issue is the size difference between the two vehicles. Part of this relates to weight. A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so most of the force from the collision is transferred to the smaller passenger car.
The impact point of the collision is also critical. If two smaller cars collide, they likely strike at the level of their bumpers, meaning that the car’s structure can absorb much of the impact and protect its occupants.
However, in an underride accident, the lower edge of the semi-truck’s trailer may impact the car’s windshield. This high impact point means that crumple zones and other safety systems are far less effective. It also means that injuries tend to occur higher up on a person’s body. Instead of suffering broken bones in their legs, the driver of a vehicle in an underride accident may sustain spinal cord fractures, vertebrae damage, skull fractures or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Because these accidents are so dangerous, they often lead to life-altering injuries. Those who have been injured—and their family members—need to understand what legal steps to take.