Lake City Semi-Trailer Underride Accident Attorneys
Semi-trailers are an incredibly important part of the economy in Lake City. Unfortunately, they are often involved in very serious crashes on the road, too. Of these, underride accidents are some of the most serious, and some of the most likely to result in fatalities. Recent studies have shown that approximately 50 percent of all truck accident deaths are a result of underride collisions. These crashes are devastating and if you have been hurt or have lost someone, you should not file a claim on your own. A Lake City semi-trailer underride accident attorney can help ensure you recover the damages you deserve.
What are Semi-Trailer Underride Accidents?
A semi-trailer underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath a commercial truck. Although this sounds like an impossibility to many, these accidents are much more common than many people think. The typical passenger vehicle sits about 40 inches above the ground, while the lowest point on a tractor-trailer is higher than that, at 45 inches above the ground.
When an underride accident occurs, the trailer of the truck can break through inside the smaller vehicle. This action usually crushes the roof of the passenger car, or tears it off completely. Either way, these crashes are extremely dangerous for those inside the smaller car.
Common Causes of Semi-Trailer Underride Accidents
To understand the common causes of semi-trailer underride accidents, you must first know the different types of these crashes. There are two kinds of underride accidents and they are either side or rear accidents. As their name suggests, a side underride crash occurs when a vehicle becomes stuck underneath a truck after entering through the side. On the other hand, a rear underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle becomes stuck under the rear of the truck.
Side underride accidents are usually caused by negligent truck drivers that back out into a parking lot or driveway where there is a lot of traffic, turn onto a street or highway incorrectly, or try to cross a busy street or highway. Rear underride accidents are often caused by trailers that do not have proper markings to show they are stopping or slowing down, or when a truck driver enters a roadway too slowly. If a truck breaks down and the driver does not use appropriate reflective triangles or emergency flashers, this can also cause either a side or rear underride accident.
Guards Can Prevent Semi-Trailer Underride Accidents
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has passed laws that require trucking companies to install guards that can prevent semi-trailer underride accidents. Unfortunately, these laws only require guards on the rear of trucks, and not the sides. Even when trucking companies are supposed to install these guards, they do not always. In this case, they can be held liable for any underride accident that occurs, and that was totally preventable.
Our Lake City Semi-Trailer Underride Accidents Attorney Can Help You Claim Compensation
If you have been hurt in a crash, or you have lost someone you love, our Lake City semi-trailer underride accidents attorney at Meldon Law knows the law and will fight for your rights. Call us today at 800-373-8000 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case review.
