The trucking industry is massive in America. These large, heavy vehicles appear on all major roadways, including those near Hinesville, Georgia. Tractor-trailers provide a valuable service to residents by bringing in goods like food and other supplies. However, they also pose many truck accident risks to other motorists.
One of the most horrific of these truck accidents is an underride crash. These accidents occur when a smaller passenger vehicle travels under the trailer of the truck. In most cases, underride crashes lead to catastrophic harm like traumatic brain injury or death.
Why do they happen?
Sometimes, it may be the fault of the passenger vehicle driver. Perhaps the driver was distracted and drifted too close to the truck. Other times, the trucker or even the trucking company may be at fault.
- The truck driver was distracted and drifted out of the lane.
- The truck driver was intoxicated and drifted out of the lane.
- The truck driver was exhausted and fell asleep, losing control of the vehicle.
- The trucking company failed to ensure regular maintenance of the truck, and an equipment malfunction occurred.
- The trucking company forced the trucker to violate regulations such as taking mandatory rest breaks, resulting in a crash caused by exhaustion.
- The trucking company did not ensure the driver had training and was qualified to operate the vehicle and a negligent crash occurred.
Currently, federal law mandates the installation of only rear underride guards on semitrucks. However, underride truck accidents also occur along the unprotected sides and front of a tractor-trailer.
Discover more about your options if you suffered debilitating injuries or lost a loved one due to an underride accident. Taking action after a negligent underride crash may also encourage the government to make side and front underride guards mandatory.