An underride accident is when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a commercial truck or trailer. Because the trailer can enter the passenger compartment, the people inside the car may suffer severe injuries.
These crashes can occur at the rear of a trailer or along its side. The difference is important because investigators must determine how the vehicles came together before they can assess the truck driver’s decisions and whether protective equipment played a role.
If this happened to you in Dallas, Texas, Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you investigate the collision. Contact our Dallas underride accident lawyers at (214) 556-8321 today to schedule a free consultation.
How Can Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers Help After an Underride Accident in Dallas?
The damage after an underride collision in Dallas, TX, may be extensive, but photographs alone rarely explain the sequence of events. We investigate to establish where the truck was positioned, what each driver could see, and how the impact developed.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, including substantial trucking collision results. That is why you can count on our Dallas personal injury lawyers to effectively build your claim.
We do that by:
- Preserving photographs and measurements of the vehicles
- Obtaining available truck electronic records
- Examining the trailer’s underride guard
- Reviewing driver statements and witness accounts
- Investigating maintenance and inspection records
- Documenting the medical effects of your injuries
- Negotiating with insurers or preparing for trial
Reconstructing the crash can reveal whether the truck’s movement created the danger or whether a safety component failed to limit the damage. That distinction helps us identify the evidence needed to support your case. Call our Dallas truck accident lawyers today to set up a free case review.
What Causes Underride Accidents?
An underride crash can begin when a trailer enters another vehicle’s path. A truck turning across traffic, for example, may expose the trailer’s side to an approaching driver who has little time to stop.
Other circumstances that can contribute include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Poor visibility around a stopped trailer
- Failure to yield while turning
- Inadequate lighting or reflective markings
- A damaged rear underride guard
The cause of the collision and the severity of its consequences are related but separate questions. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys can examine both the driving that led to the impact and the protective equipment that may have affected the injuries.
What Injuries Commonly Occur in Underride Accidents?
Underride crashes are especially dangerous because a trailer can strike the upper portion of a passenger vehicle and injure its occupants.
Possible injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe neck and spinal injuries
- Facial and head trauma
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Arm and shoulder injuries
- Leg and knee injuries
- Nerve damage
An injury may require treatment long after the initial emergency care. We can review your medical prognosis so that a claim accounts for ongoing limitations and the costs you have already incurred.
Who Could Be Liable for an Underride Accident?
A truck driver may be responsible when an unsafe maneuver causes a vehicle to strike or slide beneath the trailer. If the driver was on the job at the time, the trucking company may also be liable for negligent conduct within the scope of employment.
Equipment issues require a different investigation. Federal rules require rear underride protection on many trailers, and a defective or improperly maintained guard may raise questions about the company responsible for the equipment. The applicable requirements depend on the trailer and the facts of the crash.
When multiple parties contributed to the accident, Texas law permits responsibility to be allocated among them. We examine each party’s conduct so that your claim addresses the actual causes of the collision and resulting harm.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Texas generally gives you two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Certain exceptions can change that period, so the date of your accident should be reviewed promptly.
An underride claim may also depend on physical evidence that is difficult to preserve after a truck returns to service. Repairs to a trailer can alter the condition of the guard before it is examined.
We can identify the applicable deadline for your case and seek the preservation of relevant evidence while your claim is being evaluated.
Contact Our Dallas Underride Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt when your vehicle slid beneath a truck, we can help you investigate the collision and pursue compensation for the injuries it caused. Our attorneys will explain how the evidence affects your options and what steps may come next.
Contact one of our Dallas underride accident attorneys to set up a free consultation about your situation. We will listen to what happened and discuss how our firm can help you move forward.
