Washington’s portion of the nation’s supply chain relies heavily on the goods and services brought into and out of the state by large commercial trucks. Unfortunately, when immense commercial trucks weighing as much as 80,000 pounds crowd Washington’s roadways, the result can be catastrophic to those in smaller vehicles. All truck accidents in Washington are serious, but an underride accident is one of the most devastating types of accidents, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Please contact a reliable truck accident lawyer in Marysville for legal guidance if you were involved in an accident.
What Is a Truck Underride Accident?
Commercial trucks ride significantly higher off the road than standard family cars, presenting a unique threat in a collision. When a lower vehicle collides with a large commercial truck, it sometimes slides below he truck’s trailer or cab during the impact, wedging underneath. Underride accidents often occur in intersections or on multilane highways. They also occur when a smaller vehicle exits a parking lot or driveway into the path of a large truck.
Truck Underguard Failures
Because commercial trucks cross state lines and international borders, the trucking industry is subject to federal regulation. The Federal Commercial Motor Carrier Administration (FCMCA) puts critical safety measures in place for trucks, including requiring rear-impact protection, such as bumpers and underguards. Underguards prevent smaller vehicles from lodging under the rear end of a truck. Unfortunately, despite a push to require side underguard equipment, the FCMCA has yet to implement this regulation. Trucking companies avoid adding side underguards to trucks to minimize the additional weight. Adding weight to a truck reduces the amount of cargo it can hold in order to remain under the 80,000-pound limit.
What Causes Underride Accidents In Washington?
The trucking industry is complex, requiring multiple entities to ensure that a safe, well-maintained truck is on the road with an alert, qualified driver. Unfortunately, sometimes trucking companies and other involved parties cut corners or fail to adhere to FMCSA regulations. The most common causes of truck underride accidents in Washington and elsewhere include the following:
- A truck driver fails to yield the right of way at an intersection
- A truck driver makes an unsafe lane change due to failure to double-check blind spots
- Poor visibility, or a truck driver’s failure to adjust speed and braking distance for inclement weather
- Sudden braking
- Mechanical failures
- Inadequate, faulty, or missing underguards
- Negligent truck maintenance
- Missing or faulty trailer lights
Poor weather conditions and slippery roads may also cause or contribute to underride accidents. A personal injury lawyer in Arlington is here to help you.
Understanding Injuries and Damages In Truck Underride Accidents In Washington
When a car collides with a large commercial truck and slides under the trailer, the top of the car sustains catastrophic damage, resulting in severe or deadly injuries such as the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- External head, facial, and dental injuries
- Neck injuries
- Upper body and thoracic injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Fractures
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic amputations
Tragically, decapitation is a deadly injury sometimes suffered by motorists in Washington underride accidents.
Severe or catastrophic injuries are expensive to treat as well as painful. Underride truck accidents can cause permanent disability, interfering with an injury victim’s ability to provide for themselves. These consequences of underride truck accident injuries are the damages in a truck accident claim. When an underride accident in Washington results in wrongful death, a wrongful death claim can recover compensation for a surviving family member.
How Can an Underride Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A truck accident claim has unique challenges in a fault-based accident state like Washington. The injury victim has the burden of proving the at-fault party’s liability to make a compelling claim for full and fair compensation. Instead of leaving such a critical claim in the hands of insurance investigators who are not on your side, contact Wells Trumbull for experienced representation in your claim.