Underride Accidents

An underride accident is one of the most dangerous types of accidents that you can have with a truck. These accidents claim the lives of thousands of people every year, and in many cases, they are fully avoidable. If you were in such an accident, you need to know your rights. Here is what you can expect. A Nashville truck accident attorney from Selvidge Injury Law can assist with your claim.

What Is an Underride Crash?

An underride crash refers to a motor vehicle accident in which the car strikes the rear or side of a vehicle and slides under the body of that truck. This typically happens between the wheel gaps. There are various reasons these accidents can happen, but in most cases, they are preventable.

Most trucks have a rear safety bar, called an underride guard, that prevents a car from traveling under it. Many trucks lack these along the sides of the vehicle, leaving those areas more vulnerable. Yet even with a rear guard, a car can still underride a truck, especially at high speed.

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What Makes an Underride Crash Dangerous?

Any type of car accident can be dangerous, but several factors make underride accidents especially dangerous. What makes them most dangerous is that these accidents result in the vehicle being sliced in half, often taking the top of the car. The impact can cause glass to shatter, creating a high risk of serious injury.

In underride crashes, the hood and windshield of the vehicle are generally what are struck. However, these areas are where safety features, such as airbags, are not configured to deploy. That means the person behind the wheel is likely to face serious injuries. Contact our car accident attorney in Nashville to discuss your legal options today.

What Causes Underride Accidents?

Underride accidents can happen for many reasons. They happen because a car fails to stop for some reason or a truck stops unexpectedly. This may happen in situations such as:

• The truck driver was distracted and did not see the vehicle or that the vehicle had the right of way.
• The truck driver is negligent due to failing to take time off or maintain safe operation of the vehicle.
• The car behind the truck was tailgating.
• Someone was running a red light and struck the truck at just the right angle.
• There is too much speed, and that makes it impossible for the truck driver or the car to stop in time to avoid a collision.

If you were hurt in an underride accident, consider that to be lucky. A vast majority of these accidents result in one or more fatalities. When that happens, family members can seek legal guidance.

No matter why the accident happened, hiring an underride accident lawyer protects your right to fair compensation. That may include coverage for medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of income.

Seeking Legal Guidance Can Be Critical

If you are hurt in an underride accident, do take steps to protect your future. To do that, start with a free consultation. At Selvidge Injury Law, our personal injury attorneys in Nashville, TN are dedicated to fighting for your rights to the fullest extent allowed under the law.

Set up a free consultation now to learn more about the steps we will take to protect your future. Contact us now to meet with a compassionate and experienced member of our team.