What You Should Know About the Dangers of Underride Crashes

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While these types of accidents don’t occur as frequently as others, when they do, they tend to result in severe injuries or fatalities. Understanding how underride crashes happen—and what can be done to prevent them—can save lives.

What is an underride crash?

An Underride Crash occurs when a car collides with a truck or trailer and ends up going partially or completely under it. Because the height of a trailer is often higher than the hood of a passenger car, the top portion of the car can be crushed or sheared off. This poses a particularly high risk for head and neck injuries, especially for the driver and front-seat passenger.

There are two main types:

• Rear underride: When a car crashes into the back of a trailer and slides underneath.
• Side underride: When a vehicle hits the side of a truck, usually during lane changes or at intersections.

In many cases, these accidents are catastrophic because the safety features in most cars—like airbags and crumple zones—aren’t designed to protect passengers in these kinds of impacts.

What causes underride crashes?

There’s often more than one factor at play, but some of the most common causes include:

• Lack of visibility: Trucks that aren’t properly marked or lit can be hard to see at night or in bad weather.
• Sudden stops: If a truck comes to a sudden stop and the driver behind doesn’t have enough time to react, a rear underride can occur.
• Poor underride guard design: Some trailers are equipped with underride guards, but not all of them are strong enough—or positioned correctly—to stop a car from sliding underneath.
• Unsafe lane changes: A truck driver merging without checking blind spots can cause a smaller vehicle to get trapped and pushed under the trailer.

Unfortunately, many of these crashes could be prevented with proper equipment and safer driving practices on both sides.

The push for safer trucks

In recent years, safety advocates and lawmakers have been pushing for stronger regulations around underride prevention. Rear underride guards are required on most large trailers, but side underride protection is still not mandatory in many places.

Studies have shown that stronger, better-designed guards can save lives in these types of crashes. Some companies are voluntarily installing advanced guards on their fleets, but progress has been slow.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has explored updates to federal safety standards, but changes have been met with resistance due to costs and logistics. Still, many believe these safety upgrades are worth the investment—especially when human lives are at stake.

What to do if you’re involved in an underride crash

If you or someone you love has been injured in an underride accident, it’s important to know that you may have legal options. Because these accidents often involve commercial trucking companies, there may be multiple parties that could be held responsible—like the truck driver, the company, or even the manufacturer of faulty equipment.

A personal injury attorney with experience in truck accidents can help you investigate what went wrong and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, long-term care, and other damages. These cases can be complex, but the right legal guidance can make a big difference in the outcome.

Final thoughts

Underride crashes may not get as much media attention as other types of accidents, but they’re among the most severe when they happen. By spreading awareness, advocating for stronger safety measures, and holding negligent parties accountable, we can work toward making our roads safer for everyone.Whether you’re a truck driver, a commuter, or someone who’s experienced this type of accident firsthand, understanding the risks of underride collisions is a vital step toward prevention and justice.