Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
TorHoerman Law’s legal content is researched and written by our editorial team and attorneys for legal accuracy, clarity, and relevance. We rely on statutes, court records, government publications, medical research, and other authoritative sources when applicable. This page provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice.
TorHoerman Law reviews its legal content for factual accuracy, current information, and relevant legal context before publication and as material developments occur. This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance about a specific case, contact TorHoerman Law.
Question: What is an Underride Crash, and who is liable?
Answer: An underride crash is a type of collision where a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a large truck. Liability often involves both driver error and potential issues with truck safety equipment.
On this page, we’ll provide an overview of an underride crash, determining liability in an underride crash, damages in an underride crash, and much more.
If you’ve been involved in an underride crash and suffered injuries as a result, contact TorHoerman Law using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation.
We’re here to assist you every step of the way in pursuing justice and compensation.
Determining the liable parties in underride crashes can be challenging due to the complexity of these accidents.
However, the trucking company, a government body responsible for enforcing safety regulations, or the vehicle maintenance provider could be held accountable if they fail to fulfill their duties.
Liability can be attributed based on:
Preventing underride crashes involves implementing safety measures such as underride guards, adequate lighting, regular vehicle maintenance, and promoting safe driving practices.
Trucking companies and government agencies play a pivotal role in preventing these accidents through safety standards, driver training, inspections, and enforcement of regulations.
Preventive measures include:
Underride guards are safety features that prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath the rear or side of a truck or semi-trailer.
These guards are typically made of steel and are designed to absorb the impact of a collision to prevent severe injuries or fatalities.
Truck drivers and trucking companies bear significant responsibility in preventing underride accidents.
Truck drivers are required to equip themselves with:
They should also be vigilant about the presence of other drivers, particularly when making turns or slowing down.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) emphasizes the use of retroreflective tape and reflective triangles to enhance the visibility of trucks to oncoming vehicles and other drivers.
An underride crash is a severe accident that happens when a passenger vehicle collides with a larger vehicle such as a semi-truck and ends up sliding underneath it.
This type of crash often leads to severe damages, affecting the smaller vehicle’s occupants and the vehicle itself.
It is essential to understand the types of damages associated with an underride crash:
Underride accidents often result in severe injuries, such as neck injuries, to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
In many cases, the top of the passenger vehicle is sheared off, leading to catastrophic outcomes for the vehicle’s occupants.
Side underride collisions occur when a car slides underneath the side of a truck, often at truck crossings or when trucks are turning or exiting roads.
Rear underride collisions happen when a car crashes into the back of a slowly moving or stationary truck, sometimes at a railroad crossing, or when trucks are making a U-turn with insufficient emergency flashers.
Victims of truck underride accidents or their family members should consider seeking a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
Legal professionals specializing in truck accidents can guide victims through the complexities of claiming compensation for injuries sustained.
Compensation in truck underride accident cases typically covers medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
This increases the urgency of seeking legal counsel as soon as possible after an accident.
The trucking industry, under the guidance of federal regulations and organizations like the NTSB, is continually working to implement new rules aimed at preventing underride crashes.
These include mandates for stronger underride guards and enhanced visibility measures for large trucks and semi-trailers.
The trucking industry is continually working to improve safety standards and reduce the frequency and severity of underride accidents.
Future safety initiatives may involve advanced technologies such as automatic braking systems and collision avoidance technologies, further safeguarding smaller vehicles and their passengers.
Underride Crashes often lead to severe injuries or fatalities, underscoring the need for:
Through a combined effort from truck drivers, trucking companies, regulatory bodies, and the legal community, we can work towards significantly reducing the frequency and severity of these devastating accidents.
Our attorneys specialize in all types of trucking accidents to assist you with the challenges of gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and fighting in court.
For personalized guidance in any of these types of truck accidents, use our chat feature on this page to connect with an experienced Truck Accident Attorney at Torhoerman Law.
Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
Do you believe you’re entitled to compensation?
Use our Instant Case Evaluator to find out in as little as 60 seconds!
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
They helped my elderly uncle receive compensation for the loss of his wife who was administered a dangerous drug. He consulted with this firm because of my personal recommendation and was very pleased with the compassion, attention to detail and response he received. Definitely recommend this firm for their 5 star service.
When I wanted to join the Xarelto class action lawsuit, I chose TorrHoerman Law from a search of a dozen or so law firm websites. I was impressed with the clarity of the information they presented. I gave them a call, and was again impressed, this time with the quality of our interactions.
TorHoerman Law is an awesome firm to represent anyone that has been involved in a case that someone has stated that it's too difficult to win. The entire firm makes you feel like you’re part of the family, Tor, Eric, Jake, Kristie, Chad, Tyler, Kathy and Steven are the best at what they do.
TorHorman Law is awesome
I can’t say enough how grateful I was to have TorHoerman Law help with my case. Jacob Plattenberger is very knowledgeable and an amazing lawyer. Jillian Pileczka was so patient and kind, helping me with questions that would come up. Even making sure my special needs were taken care of for meetings.
TorHoerman Law fights for justice with their hardworking and dedicated staff. Not only do they help their clients achieve positive outcomes, but they are also generous and important pillars of the community with their outreach and local support. Thank you THL!
Hands down one of the greatest group of people I had the pleasure of dealing with!
A very kind and professional staff.
Very positive experience. Would recommend them to anyone.
A very respectful firm.