Truck “underride” occurs when a passenger vehicle rear ends a big rig and goes under the large truck or trailer. In such cases, the occupants of the vehicle could suffer catastrophic injuries or death. In some incidents, severe head injuries or decapitation may result from a truck underride accident in Missouri. Rear guards on commercial trucks first became a requirement in 1953, but those guards were too high above the road, too narrow and too flimsy to prevent the danger of underride accidents.
After a lengthy debate and much deliberation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a safety standard mandating safer and sturdier rear guards on all new trucks effective January 1998. Trailers and large trucks that were manufactured before that date still travel along our roadways and are not covered under this safety standard. Those trucks still pose an underride hazard.
In fact, more than half of all fatal car-semi truck accidents are said to involve truck underrides. Other than rear guards, there are other steps trucking companies and owners can take to prevent or minimize the probability of such a devastating truck accident. These include using flashers when parked on the side of the road; using tail lights or reflective tape; regular inspection of brakes, and keeping a safe distance behind other traffic.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an underride accident in Missouri, or any other type of truck collision, please contact an experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer at Page Law for a free consultation. We have the experience and resources it takes to recover the damages you deserve for your injuries and suffering. Please get in touch with one of our Missouri truck accident attorneys today to find out how we can help. Call (866) 620-5757 for a free consultation.
