California Truck Underride Collision Attorney

A truck underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle collides and then runs beneath the end or side of the truck or trailer. As seen in the movies, this type of truck accident can have devastating consequences such as the vehicle's roof becoming completely torn off. Underride collisions often times occur at night and may be due to the lack of proper reflectors and trailer lighting or hazard lights. Defective rear and side underride guards or the complete lack thereof also pose a threat. A California truck underride attorney can help prove this and other faults of the truck driver and company in order to provide you with the justice you deserve.

Underride collisions are a serious threat and come in two forms: side and rear collisions.

In side collisions, a passenger vehicle collides with a truck or tractor trailer and travels under the side of the trailer or truck. The most common times that this occurs is when a truck is trying to cross or turn onto a street, to back up across traffic, or to perform a U-turn. In rear underride collisions, a passenger vehicle hits the truck and travels under the back of the truck. This happens primarily when a large truck is slowing down, perhaps entering or exiting a road, or is overall driving at excessively slow speeds which causes the following car to collide with the rear of the truck. Sudden stops and improper indicators may also be the cause of this type of truck accident.

Smaller and lighter vehicles that experience this type of accident are usually severely injured, and sadly, these are often fatal accidents. There are federal laws that mandate truck safety laws which include bumers on trucks that are about 20 inches above the road for the sake of avoiding truck undderride accidents. Trucks manufactured on or after January of 1998 require rear-impact guards on full trailers and semi-trailers weighing over 10,000 pounds. This is one of various statues placed by the Department of Transportation. Several California truck laws may also have been broken and a California truck underride attorney can be indispensible to provide your with the compensation and proof you deserve for your truck accident case.

Truck accident statistics are apalling. Over 140,000 injuries occur due to a truck accident and over one third suffer catastrophic damages. Large trucks represent just 3% of all registered vehicles, but they are involved in 12% of all traffic fatalities. California averages 400 fatal and 10,000 non-fatal truck accidents a year. Since cars are not made to withstand the impact of a vehicle like a truck, truck accidents often result in severe or even fatal injuries. Injuries that can occur with truck underride accidents may include spinal cord damage, brain damage, migraines for life, concussions, multiple bone fractures, severed limb and death.

Besides improper markings, truck underride accidents can occur due to trucker negligence. A truck driver may be changing lanes recklessly or not paying attention. Fatigue, lack of sleep, or driving under the influence of alcohol or stimulants are often the case in all types of truck accidents throughout California and may be investigated further.

Truck drivers have large blind spots that should be avoided at all costs, Making an extra large space cushion between yourself and trucks is crucial for preventing truck accidents. If you see a truck driving recklessly or suspect the driver of DUI, call 911 immediately. Truck drivers are expected to meet higher standards than the average driver. If you are injured in a truck accident and violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act can be proven, you may have a case against not only the driver, but the carrier as well.

The attorneys at Bisnar | Chase are experienced California truck underride accident lawyers who have represented truck and other auto accident victims for over thirty years. We have successfully won complex cases for our clients including:

$3,476,250 for a Defective Truck Case
$1,950,000 for a Truck Accident Case
$200,000 for a woman who was fatally injured when her car crashed into an illegally parked semi truck.
$250,000 for a forklift injured a delivery truck driver on a loading dock.
A U-Haul that caused two Ford Explorers to roll over, fatally injuring a child. We fought for the victims and received a substantial confidential settlement for them.

If you have been in a truck underride accident in California, there are a few steps you should follow. First, call 911 immediately. If your vehicle is excessively damaged, make sure to exercise caution when getting out of the vehicle, or stay in until authorities can give you the safety and help you need to exit without further injury. When you are safely out of the vehicle, you can contact a truck accident attorney to ensure your case is solid from the start.

If you or someone close has been injured in a California underride accident involving a semi-truck or tractor trailer, contact our experienced California truck underride accident lawyers today.

Call us now for a free consultation at: 1-877-854-0004.

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