Philadelphia Big Rig Underride Collision Attorneys

Big Rig Underride Collision

Big rig crashes in Pennsylvania have the potential to cause serious injury and death to the occupants of smaller vehicles. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Pennsylvania 2010 Crash Facts and Statistics, 1,324 people were killed in motor-vehicle accidents that year, including 157 deaths that were related to heavy trucks.

The size and heft of big rigs and tractor trailers make them very dangerous in the event of a traffic accident, and, though there are many different types of big rig accidents, underride collisions tend to be the most deadly. In addition to their general size and weight, the tall road to chassis height of heavy trucks, not only increases their center of gravity, but increases the risk of underride accidents.

Main Types of Underride Collisions and Causes

A truck underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle hits and subsequently runs beneath the rear or side of the truck or trailer. Oftentimes, this has severe consequences as the passenger vehicle’s roof can be completely sheered off. Underride collisions usually occur at night and are usually caused by inoperative or lack of reflectors and trailer lighting, excessively slow speeds without hazard lights, and substandard, defective, or lack of rear and side underride guards. There are two main types of tractor trailer underride crashes: Side and Rear.

Side Underride Collisions
These occur when a passenger vehicle collides with and travels under the side of a truck and/or its trailer. This usually happens when a truck driver is attempting to cross or turn onto a street or highway, to back up across traffic or to make a U-turn.

Rear Underride Collisions
These occur when a passenger vehicle hits and runs under the rear of a truck. This type of accident usually occurs when a big rig is slowing entering or exiting the road or is traveling at excessively slow speeds without the proper indicators, but may also occur with sudden stops and other typical rear-end collision causes.

In either situation, drivers and passengers of smaller, and shorter, vehicles are often killed, but can also be severely injured. Some heavy truck underride accident victims may even suffer permanent disability as a result their injuries.

Common Underride Collision Injuries

Cuts and lacerations, bone fractures, head and brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries are among the most common injuries associated with Pennsylvania tractor trailer underride accidents. Head and brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, have an especially high incident rate due to the fact that underride collisions predominantly affect the top half of a passenger vehicle. These types of truck accident injuries are also the main cause for disability, which can create both financial and emotional hardships for the victim and their family.

Getting the Support You Need for Recovery

Pennsylvania truck underride accident injuries can be life-altering for both the victim and their family. If the accident was caused by a negligent truck operator, truck company oversight, or a defective truck part, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced Philadelphia truck underride collision lawyers at Anapol Schwartz have the resources to help you file a successful personal injury claim. To find out more about your particular situation, call us today for a free consultation at (866) 735-2792. We look forward to answering all your questions.

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