Clearwater Underride Accident Lawyers

While we share our roadways with a seemingly never-ending number of semi-trucks, one place you never want to be is underneath one of these massive rigs. Underride accidents happen far too often, and they are nearly unimaginably dangerous. If a truck driver’s negligence leaves you injured in either a side or rear underride accident, speak with an experienced Clearwater underride accident attorney today.

Underride Accidents Explained

The 18-wheelers that roam our highways have a much higher clearance than the relatively tiny vehicles that we drive. When the force of an accident propels a vehicle forward and under the trailer of a big rig, it is called an underride accident. The trapped vehicles in these accidents are often dragged along by the momentum, and this is just as dangerous and terrifying as it sounds.

Rear Underride Accidents

When a car drives into the rear of a semi and keeps plowing under the trailer, it’s called a rear underride. Every semi-truck is required by law to have rear safety guards (called Mansfield bars – after actress Jane Mansfield who died in an underride accident in the late 1960s) to help prevent these life-threatening accidents. It is difficult for motorists traveling behind semis to maintain a clear view of the road ahead. And when truck drivers don’t allow themselves enough room on the road to slow down and come to safe stops unexpectedly, they also endanger the motorists behind them (who are at increased risk of rear underride accidents).

All of the following can contribute to rear underride accidents:

Poorly maintained rear safety bars, missing safety bars, and safety bars that are inadequate to the task
Inadequate rear markings and/or lights (that leave semis difficult to see)
Semis that slow down or stop suddenly and unsafely
Semis on the shoulder of the road that don’t have the necessary lights or markings to safely warn other vehicles

Side Underride Accidents

Side underride accidents involve a smaller vehicle traveling headlong into the underside of a semi. Such accidents are most common in intersections, and all of the following are frequent causes:

When both the semi and the other vehicle travel forward on lanes that intersect perpendicular to one another
When the semi turns left across oncoming traffic in the intersection
When the semi makes a U-turn
When the semi runs a red light

The possibilities for dangerous side underride accidents in intersections are nearly limitless. While side safety bars – unlike back safety bars – are not required by law, many national safety agencies are clamoring to change this.

Reach out to an Experienced Clearwater Underride Accident Attorney Today

If a truck driver’s negligence leaves you injured in an underride accident, the Clearwater underride accident attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos are committed to skillfully advocating for the compensation you need to cover your full range of financial, physical, and emotional damages. To learn more about how we can help you reach your fullest recovery, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (727) 441-9030 today.