Semi trucks are responsible for some of the most severe types of collisions reported, including jackknife crashes. They are also commonly the cause of underride crashes. Underride collisions are notorious for destroying passenger vehicles and leading to catastrophic or fatal injuries for vehicle occupants.

What causes an underride collision?

Proximity and a lack of guards are to blame

A passenger vehicle is much smaller and lighter than a commercial truck. Underride collisions occur when passenger vehicles strike semi-trucks and get pushed underneath the trailer of the truck.

A rear underride crash occurs when a driver rear-ends a trailer. Side underride collisions may happen when a driver strikes the side of a semi-truck or the semi-truck merges into a lane already occupied by a passenger vehicle.

People in passenger vehicles can reduce their risk of an underride crash by leaving more space between their vehicles and commercial trucks. Truck operators can reduce risks by checking their blind spots carefully.

Trucking companies can reduce underride collision risk by investing in strong rear underride guards and installing side underride guards even though they are not technically mandatory under current federal regulations. People in passenger vehicles cannot control what commercial drivers do or how transportation companies maintain their trucks.

The most that the average motorist can do is to remain aware of their surroundings and give commercial trucks as much space as possible in traffic. Understanding the underlying causes of underride collisions and other common semi-truck crashes can help people improve their safety and traffic.

Those negatively affected by semi-truck collisions may have grounds to seek compensation for their losses. Documenting what happened before a semi-truck crash and what impact it has on a family may help people seek economic justice successfully after a major collision.