Override and underride accidents are some of the most deadly truck accidents that occur on U.S. roads. These types of collisions can happen only because of the large size disparity between a truck and a passenger car, and sadly, it is occupants in passenger cars who often pay the price — even though the crashes are often caused by careless truckers.
If you or someone you love was hurt in an underride or an override accident, Drafahl Law Firm is here for you. We bring a wealth of personal injury and truck accident experience to the table and have a long track record of successful settlements and verdicts.
To find out more about the services we can offer you and about our extensive knowledge of the complexities of underride and override accident cases, give us a call today.
What is an Underride Accident?
Underride accidents occur when a small vehicle slides underneath a commercial truck in an accident. The smaller car essentially ends up riding underneath the truck, which is how these accidents get their name.
Tragically, the top of the smaller car is often severely damaged or even sheared off when underride accidents happen, leaving those inside the vehicle facing the potential for serious or fatal injuries.
Underride accidents happen for many different reasons, but common causes include:
- Truck drivers coming to a sudden stop, causing the smaller car to slide underneath.
- Truck drivers making a sudden and unexpected lane change
- Truck drivers stopping on the road without using reflective triangles or flashing lights
- Drivers whose trucks break down and who do not pull the vehicles entirely off the road
- Truckers who don’t follow the flow of traffic
Most of these causes of underride accidents are types of driver negligence for which the trucker and the trucker’s employer could potentially be held legally liable.
What is an Override Accident?
Override accidents are different from underride accidents. These occur because the front end of a truck may slide over the rear of a smaller vehicle.
Override accidents are a specific type of rear-end collision that happens when a truck crashes into a much smaller car and is unable to stop. Tragically, these accidents are much more serious than typical rear-end accidents and can have deadly outcomes.
Common causes of override accidents include:
- Commercial truck drivers tailgating
- Truck drivers becoming distracted or driving while fatigued and failing to notice a stopped vehicle in front of them
- Emergency braking resulting from one of a variety of factors, from cargo shifting to tire blowouts
Like underride accidents, many override accidents could be prevented if the driver had exercised a reasonable degree of care.
How a St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Prepare Your Case
Proving the cause of an underride or override accident is important because when a trucker is to blame, the driver or the trucking company employing the driver may be liable for covering all economic and financial loss, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
An experienced attorney will work with you to gather dash cam footage, data from the truck’s black box or electronic record, eyewitness testimony, and expert testimony. With our help, you can make the strongest claim possible to maximize the compensation you recover. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you.