Underride accidents are not necessarily common, but they are some of the most dangerous accidents anyone can be involved in. They happen when a smaller vehicle and a larger vehicle collide and the smaller one slides underneath. For instance, this is most common with small passenger cars when they get involved in an accident with a semi-truck.
What is it exactly that makes these underride accidents so dangerous? There are two main factors to consider.
The car can become pinned
First and foremost, many of these accidents involve a small car becoming pinned under a heavy trailer. A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so it can easily crush and hold a smaller passenger car against the pavement. This makes it much harder for rescue teams to get to people promptly and can lead to serious injuries.
The impact point is higher
The second thing to remember is that most car accidents involve a similar impact point, such as two cars that collide bumper to bumper. Many safety systems, like crumple zones, are designed to reduce potential injuries in these accidents. But an underride accident means that the taller vehicle is going to strike the passenger compartment in the front windshield of the smaller vehicle. This higher impact point negates some of these safety systems and can mean that the people in the smaller vehicle suffer significant head or neck injuries.
Have you been injured?
Because these injuries are so serious, they could certainly change your life. If you believe another driver’s negligence was the reason for the crash, you need to know how to seek financial compensation.