When driving around large commercial trucks, there are always risks involved. Collisions with these vehicles are all too common, leading to serious injuries and fatalities every year. One of the most devastating types of accidents that can occur is an underride truck accident, where a smaller vehicle is dragged underneath a larger truck. These accidents are particularly dangerous due to the size and weight difference between the vehicles involved. An attorney at Monge & Associates can assist with an Atlanta truck accident lawsuit following a collision caused by negligence.
Common Causes of Underride Truck Accidents
Underride truck accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with a larger truck and becomes trapped underneath the trailer. This can happen from the rear, front, or side of the truck.
Some common causes of underride truck accidents include:
- Improper maintenance: Inadequate maintenance of the truck, such as faulty brakes or worn tires, can heighten the risk of accidents.
- Insufficient underride guards: Weak, damaged, or missing underride guards can fail to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath the truck.
- Poor visibility: Inadequate lighting or reflective tape on the truck can make it difficult for both truck and passenger vehicle drivers to navigate safely around each other, especially at night or in inclement weather.
- Sudden stops: When a truck driver brakes abruptly, smaller vehicles may not have enough time to react and can crash into the back of the truck. Subsequently, they can become trapped underneath.
- Unsafe lane changes: Truck drivers who change lanes without signaling or checking their blind spots can collide with other vehicles, leading to an underride accident.
Why Underride Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
Underride truck accidents are particularly dangerous because of the severe physical risks they pose to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. When a car slides underneath a truck, the top of the vehicle can be sheared off, causing catastrophic injuries to the head, neck, and spine. In many cases, these collisions are fatal.
Even if the physical injuries are not fatal, the emotional and financial impacts of an underride truck accident can be devastating. Survivors may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, making it difficult to return to their normal lives. The medical expenses associated with treating these injuries can be astronomical, and victims may be unable to work, leading to lost wages and financial instability.
Your Legal Options After an Underride Truck Accident in Atlanta
If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride truck accident in Atlanta, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. You can file an insurance claim against the truck driver’s or trucking company’s insurance policy, seeking damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
In some cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties to secure the compensation you deserve. This may include the truck driver, trucking company, manufacturer of defective parts, or other negligent parties. An Atlanta truck accident attorney can help you investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Injured in an Underride Truck Accident? Contact Monge & Associates
At Monge & Associates, our Atlanta truck accident attorneys understand the devastating impact of these collisions and are dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims and their families. We have the knowledge and resources to investigate your case, defend your best interests, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (888) 477-0597 for a free consultation and begin your journey to justice.