Accidents involving trucks are usually serious and underride accidents are no exception. An underride collision occurs when a car or other smaller vehicle goes underneath the back of a truck and its trailer.
Many of these accidents cause serious injuries and even fatalities. Trucks are substantially heavier than anything else on the road, which puts the other parties in the crash at serious risk.
So, how do underride collisions occur?
Driver error
As with many accidents, driver error can come into play. This could be an error from either the truck driver or the operator of the smaller vehicle. For example, the truck driver may slam on the brakes to make a last-minute turn, resulting in the smaller vehicle not being able to stop.
Other factors
Driver errors aren’t always the sole reason for underride accidents. In some cases, external conditions may have made it difficult for road users to see where they are going. Underride accidents are much more likely to occur when visibility is poor, such as at nighttime or in foggy conditions.
It’s also possible that a vehicle has a fault that causes the accident. For instance, the brake lights on the truck may be broken, meaning that the driver behind cannot tell when the truck is slowing down.
There are numerous reasons why an underride accident may occur, but they often happen at intersections and at night time. If you have been injured in a collision with a truck, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.