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What makes underride accidents so dangerous?

On Behalf of | Nov 16, 2022 | Car Accidents

Underride accidents are a type of accident that only happens when the size difference between the two vehicles is very great. Generally speaking, this occurs when a small vehicle strikes a semi-truck. The passenger vehicle is able to ride up under the semi, giving this accident its name.

This most often happens under the semi’s trailer. A small car could become wedged under the back of the trailer, or it could strike the side of the trailer, between the sets of wheels. Either way, this is a very dangerous type of accident that often leads to severe injuries. Here are three reasons why.

Trucks weigh so much more

First of all, a semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Even if the truck is unloaded, it’s going to weigh much more than your passenger car. This means that the damage to the passenger vehicle will generally be greater, as well the severity of the injuries for those within the smaller vehicle.

The impact point is higher

Additionally, when a underride accident happens, the impact point for the small vehicle is near the front windshield. This means that a car is essentially taking the full force of the crash on the passenger compartment, which is an extreme danger for people within the vehicle. Some of the normal safety systems on a vehicle, such as the frame or the crumple zones, are too low to be helpful.

It’s often the truck’s fault

In a lot of cases, underride accidents are hard to avoid. You may be driving straight down the road with the right of way, when a truck pulls out of a parking lot and cuts you off. The trailer is sideways in front of you, blocking the entire road. You can hit the brakes, but you may not be able to avoid that crash.

If you do suffer serious injuries, you can make sure you know how to seek financial compensation.