Underride accidents are some of the most violent and deadly crashes on the road. They occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into a truck and gets forced under the trailer. These collisions often hit at window level, not the bumper, leaving front-seat passengers with catastrophic head and neck injuries.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), underride crashes kill an average of 219 people annually in the U.S. But the real number may be much higher. A federal study found that for every reported side underride crash, more than three went uncounted.

Understanding underride collisions is the first step in demanding accountability after a crash. Learn what causes them and why you need a Huntsville truck accident attorney to hold the trucking company fully responsible.

Types of Underride and Override Accidents

Underride accidents tend to fall into three main categories, depending on how the crash happens and where the impact occurs:

  • Rear Underride: This occurs when a smaller vehicle strikes the rear of a truck and ends up beneath the trailer. The collision can collapse the windshield and roof, often leading to deadly injuries for front-seat occupants.
  • Side Underride: During a turn or wide crossing, a vehicle slips beneath the side of the trailer. The trailer can shear into the cabin, often with fatal results.
  • Override: In this type of collision, the truck rides over the top of a smaller vehicle. In most cases, the weight of the truck flattens the roof, leaving those inside trapped or fatally injured.

While overrides are rare, accounting for about 1% of annual traffic fatalities, the force and severity often make them unsurvivable for those involved.

What Causes Underride Crashes?

Many underride accidents involve preventable issues like missing equipment, poor visibility, or unsafe driving decisions. Here’s what can go wrong:

Cause How It Contributes to Underride Crashes Who May Be at Fault / Why
Faulty or Inadequate Underride Guards Rear guards may be absent, rusted, or too weak. Side guards aren’t installed. Trucking company for failing to install or maintain proper safety equipment.
Non-Functioning Taillights or Reflectors Missing or dirty taillights and reflectors make trailers nearly invisible in low light. Driver or company for neglecting inspections and basic maintenance.
Poor Truck Positioning Trailers extend into lanes or stop at angles that give drivers little time or space to react. Truck driver for making wide or poorly timed turns that leave the trailer exposed in active traffic.
Unexpected Stops on Highways Trucks stop or slow without enough warning for drivers behind them. Driver or company for not using hazard lights or reflective tape properly.
Bad Weather and Road Conditions Reduced visibility and traction make it harder to avoid a trailer ahead. Driver for not adjusting to conditions; the company if the trailer lacked visibility features.

These crashes aren’t just accidents. They’re often the result of repeated, preventable safety failures by drivers and trucking companies, and outdated or poorly enforced regulations make them even more dangerous.

The Problem With Current Underride Guard Regulations

Underride guards are designed to prevent deadly collisions, but many still don’t meet modern safety expectations. For instance:

  • Rear guards are required by federal law, but safety standards weren’t updated until 2022.
  • The new rules apply only to trailers built after January 11, 2023, not the older ones still on the road.
  • Enforcement varies across states and remains inconsistent.
  • Federal law does not require side guards, even though they can prevent fatal crashes during turns or crossings.
  • Many carriers skip side guards to reduce equipment and installation costs.

Even when these safety structures are present, poor maintenance often makes them ineffective. Some trucks pass inspection with visible rust, missing bolts, or bent supports.

Without stronger oversight and clearer standards, life-saving protection is often treated as a box to check, not a priority.

What To Do if You’ve Been in an Underride Crash

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an underride collision, you may have grounds to hold the trucking company or driver accountable. A skilled underride truck accident attorney can help you investigate the cause of the crash and build a case against the at-fault party.

At Tyler Mann Injury Law, we can:

  • Obtain crash scene reports and trucking company records
  • Review the truck’s maintenance logs and inspection history
  • Analyze dash cam or black box data
  • Consult with crash reconstruction experts
  • Identify safety regulation violations

Underride cases are complex and require experienced legal guidance. The right attorney can strengthen your claim and help maximize compensation for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Get Qualified Legal Support After an Underride Accident

Underride collisions are violent, fast, and often fatal. Families face devastating losses, while insurance companies rush to minimize their liability.

Our legal team has extensive experience handling truck accident claims across Alabama. We know what to look for, how to build a strong case, and what it takes to secure financial recovery for medical costs, long-term care, or wrongful death.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We can protect your rights and fight for the outcome your family deserves.