Truck accidents are some of the most devastating crashes on the road, and when a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the results are often deadly.
Nationally, 72% of fatalities in truck crashes involve occupants of a smaller vehicle, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The problem is even more severe in Louisiana. In 2021, there were 1,381 fatal traffic crashes in the state, and 126 of them involved large trucks. That means 9.1% of all fatal crashes in Louisiana involved large trucks, far exceeding the national average of 2.2%.
While trucking is a crucial industry, the dangers posed by underride crashes — a specific type of collision where a smaller vehicle slides under a large truck — could have been addressed before now. Unfortunately, weak safety regulations and industry pushback have allowed these deadly crashes to continue.
Why These Crashes Are So Dangerous
Underride crashes occur when a car gets trapped under a truck’s trailer, bypassing normal safety features like airbags and crumple zones. These crashes often result in severe head and neck injuries or fatalities. There are two main types of underride crashes:
- Rear underride crashes – When a car collides with the back of a truck and slides underneath.
- Side underride crashes – When a car hits the side of a truck, often at night or in low-visibility conditions, and becomes trapped beneath it.
Many underride crashes could be prevented with stronger safety measures, such as improved underride guards. However, the lack of proper regulation has left drivers vulnerable.
Despite Clear Evidence of a Problem, Safety Measures Remain Inadequate
Despite clear evidence that underride crashes are deadly, safety measures remain inadequate. Some of the biggest issues include:
- Weak rear underride guards – While required by law, many rear underride guards fail in high-speed crashes.
- No side underride guard mandate – Side guards, which could prevent many fatalities, are still not required in the U.S.
- Poor crash reporting – Many police reports don’t even have a category for underride crashes, leading to underreporting and a lack of awareness about the true scale of the problem. A 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighted this issue and recommended improvements in collecting and classifying crash data.
Safety advocates and victims’ families have called for stronger regulations for years, but progress has been frustratingly slow.
Government and Industry Won’t Act, Putting Drivers in Danger
Both federal regulators and the trucking industry have failed to take meaningful action to prevent underride crashes.
The NHTSA has been aware of underride dangers for decades but has only made minor improvements to existing standards. Trucking companies argue that requiring additional safety features like side guards would be too expensive and reduce fuel efficiency. Powerful industry groups have successfully stalled efforts to implement stronger safety laws, even as research and crash tests from organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) continue to show that underride guards save lives.
While other countries, like Canada, have adopted stronger underrideguard standards, the U.S. has yet to catch up, leaving American drivers at greater risk.
How to Stay Safe Around Large Trucks
Sharing the road with large trucks requires extra caution. These vehicles have significant blind spots, require more time to stop, and make wide turns that can catch drivers off guard. While stronger regulations are needed to prevent underride crashes, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a collision.
- Stay at least four seconds behind a truck to allow for a safe stopping distance.
- Trucks have large blind spots on all sides. If you can’t see the driver in their mirror, they likely can’t see you.
- Always pass a truck quickly and avoid lingering alongside it.
- Use headlights in low visibility conditions. This helps truck drivers see you, reducing the risk of side underride crashes.
- Trucks need extra space to turn, so don’t attempt to squeeze past a turning truck.
Contact Us Today to Hold Negligent Parties Accountable
Underride crashes and other preventable truck accidents should not be ignored. While stronger regulations and industry action are necessary to prevent future tragedies, legal action can help victims secure the financial support they need to recover.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident and you wish to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today.