Preventing Dangerous and Deadly Underride Truck Accidents

A passenger vehicle is driving along the highway when suddenly, up ahead traffic begins to slow down and they must apply their brakes quickly. Then the car behind them crashes into their back bumper forcing them to crash into the large commercial truck in front of them causing a catastrophic crash. There were fatalities in the passenger vehicle because when it collided with the truck it became crushed underneath the rear-end of the truck.

There is a specific piece of safety equipment for large commercial trucks called rear guards, or ICC bumpers (Interstate Commerce Commission), which are supposed to prevent these types of underride crashes, but not every truck is equipped with them. Some rear guards are placed too high on the truck’s back end, so they don’t proved the necessary protection for passenger vehicles. Some ICC bumpers are not strong enough to withstand the force of the collision, so they don’t provide any protection at all.

Attempting to understand and fix the problem of underride accidents

In 2013, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a series of crash tests that pointed out several design flaws in tractor trailers during rear-end collisions. The studies found that most underride guards failed to stop deadly crashes leaving passenger vehicle occupants at risk. At the conclusion of the study, the IIHS called upon the NHTSA to require stronger underride guards for large trucks.

In July of 2015, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), which is the first step in an agency initiative to upgrade the standards for tractor trailer underride crash protection. In an NHTSA press release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “This announcement is about protecting more drivers and passengers. These vehicles are essential to transportation system, and we have a duty to the traveling public to take every opportunity to strengthen truck safety.”

In December of 2015, the NHTSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes to upgrade the federal motor vehicle safety standards that address rear underride protection in crashes with tractor trailers. The NHTSA is essentially adopting Canada’s more stringent standards, which require rear impact guards to provide sufficient strength and energy absorption to protect the occupants of passenger cars when they crash into the back end of large trucks at highway speeds.

If you have lost a loved one in an underride crash, or if you have been injured in a truck crash, you might consider engaging the services of an experienced Memphis truck accident attorney from the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC. We know how to thoroughly investigate a truck accident to determine who is at fault and what caused the crash. Our dedicated legal team is here to protect your rights and make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and other losses from a truck accident.

You may call our firm today at 901-680-9777, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case in our Memphis or Jackson office locations.