Underride Truck Accident in Maryland

We have all see pictures of underride truck accidents which is when a car crashes witha truck slides under the rear, side, or front of a truck. The image of a passenger car being trapped under a large commercial truck ranks among the most depressing post accident scenes you will see on our highways.

“Underride crashes” occur when a car collides with and slides under the rear, side, or front of a truck. While statistics show that close to 80% of all underride crashes occur with the front (60%) or side (20%) of the truck, there are no federal safety regulations on front or side underride crashes. In these truck accidents, the trailer can rip off the top of the car which obviously cause incredible injuries and often leads to a fatality. Most of these serious underride truck accident are not – as commonly thought – as the result of impact with the front of the truck in a rear end accident.

Underride truck accidents in Maryland require a truck accident lawyer who knows his/her way around truck accident cases. Because they are infinitely more complicated that car accident cases. Many truck accident lawyers assume the accident is the fault of the other truck driver and that is the only claim that is available and try to move the case towards settlement or trial. But in side underride truck accidents, many trucks have no protection against the possiblity of a side underride accident.

In these cases, there may be a product liability lawsuit if the truck did not have side underride protection. Many European truck builders have developed front underride bar weighing about 60 pounds that is connected to both the bumper and the chassis and positioned to make direct contact with a car’s front so a passenger car can slip beneath the truck. But even in 2011, many truck manufacturers have not added this simple safety protection.

It is true that there is no federal requirement in the United States that trailers be equipped with side underride bars.  But that does not change the calculus of what should be the design.   Look at some of these trailers that have that can almost fit a car can almost fit underneath.  There is no question that this is a potential product liability claim.  Most lawyers just don’t see it.   Sure, there is a general rule that the maker of a truck has no obligation to manufacturer a truck that is safe for a truck accident.  But you also can build a truck that you know is going to cause more harm in truck accidents, particularly given the risk these big trucks already create.

For a free consultation at no obligation to you, contact a car or truck accident lawyer at 800-553-8082 or 410-553-6000 or click here to ask a question or for a free Interent case evaluation.