Underride accidents are among the most catastrophic types of truck crashes. When a smaller passenger vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a tractor-trailer, the top of the car can be crushed or sheared off entirely, leaving occupants with life-threatening or fatal injuries. These crashes often stem from missing or defective underride guards—devices designed to prevent vehicles from traveling beneath a trailer during impact.
If you or a loved one was harmed in an underride collision, the truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can help. Call (312) 236-2900 today for a free consultation.
An underride accident occurs when a passenger car collides with the back or side of a tractor-trailer and continues traveling underneath it. Because the trailer sits higher than the front end of most vehicles, the car’s windshield, roof, and frame offer little protection—often resulting in:
These crashes are especially dangerous at highway speeds, where even a brief moment of inattention or poor visibility can result in devastating harm.
Rear underride guards are steel bars mounted on the back of tractor-trailers. Their purpose is to:
The U.S. Department of Transportation has required rear guards since 1952; however, many guards are outdated, poorly maintained, or insufficiently strong to withstand high-speed impacts.
Side underride guards offer similar protection but attach to the sides of a trailer. Unlike rear guards, side guards are not required by federal law, despite widespread safety concerns. Without them, vehicles can easily slide under the side of a trailer during lane-change collisions, T-bone crashes, or intersection accidents.
The AngelWing® device, manufactured by AirFlow Deflector, is an aftermarket side underride guard engineered to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath tractor-trailers.
In a recent crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the AngelWing device successfully prevented a 2009 Chevy Malibu traveling at 40 mph from underriding the trailer—saving the crash dummy from decapitation and demonstrating the potential for a life-saving impact.
Although federal legislation has not yet been passed, ongoing advocacy makes regulatory change increasingly likely.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in an underride accident, you should contact our experienced truck injury attorneys immediately. We will conduct a thorough investigation and consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine liability. The truck driver, trucking company, or manufacturer or seller of the truck may all be held liable.
With our legal representation by your side, you may collect compensation to pay for:
Our truck accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. We can help you obtain compensation for your damages and losses.
If a devastating underride accident has hurt you or someone you love, contact our highly skilled Chicago truck accident lawyers today at (312) 236-2900. You can also click below to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer near you:
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