There are countless different variations on the basic car crash scenario. Some of the worst crashes that occur do not involve two passenger vehicles but rather a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck. Semi-trucks are so much taller and heavier than passenger vehicles that they can cause absolute devastation when collisions occur.
Many semi-truck collisions are similar in nature to traditional passenger vehicle crashes. However, some of them are far worse. Underride collisions typically involve commercial trucks rather than passenger vehicles. They occur because of the height difference in vehicles.
When a passenger vehicle rear-ends a semi-truck or there is a side impact of some sort, the passenger vehicle could end up underneath the trailer of the semi-truck. Thankfully, there is a simple way for people in passenger vehicles to reduce the chances of an underride crash.
Proximity is a key factor for underride risk
Underride collisions typically involve a passenger vehicle that is in one of the blind spots surrounding a commercial truck. The space immediately behind a commercial truck is a blind spot that the driver usually cannot see.
Drivers who are in a position to rear-end a semi-truck are typically in a blind spot. If they leave more space between their vehicle and the commercial truck, they are less likely to experience a rear underride crash.
Avoiding the blind spots to either side of a semi-truck’s trailer can also be helpful for those who want to reduce their risk of an underride collision. Sign underride crashes could occur when a passenger vehicle T-bones a semi-truck or causes a side-impact collision where it strikes the side of the trailer.
Side underride collisions can also be the result of a commercial driver merging into a new line of traffic already occupied by another driver. The blind spots around the truck may prevent the commercial driver from spotting the other vehicle before a crash occurs.
Making it a habit to give as much space as possible to large trucks could potentially save people’s lives. Those involved in underride collisions or seeking compensation after a crash that claims the life of a loved one may have the option of requesting compensation. Evaluating the circumstances surrounding a trucking collision may be the first step toward holding a driver or their employer accountable.