The size and structure of a large truck, such as an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer, creates unique accident risks. When a car and a truck collide, it can take the form of an underride or override accident – where the car gets lodged underneath the truck or the big rig rolls up and over the smaller car. These are two of the deadliest types of truck accidents in California and is a challenge to recover compensation without the help of an Orange County truck accident attorney.
What Is an Underride Accident?
A large commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and sit several feet off the ground. The height of the 18-wheeler can lead to a smaller and shorter passenger vehicle getting stuck or wedged beneath the trailer of the truck if the two vehicles collide. This is known as an underride accident.
In an underride crash, the top of the smaller car can get sheared off by the impact with the truck’s trailer. Sadly, this can lead to catastrophic and fatal injuries for the occupants inside of the car, including head injuries and decapitation. Large trucks are legally required to have rear-impact guards to help prevent rear-end collisions from becoming underride accidents.
What Is a Truck Override Accident?
An override accident describes a commercial truck driving up and over a smaller car in a collision, rather than a simple impact between the two vehicles. This can occur due to the height disparity between a big rig and a standard passenger car. This height difference can turn a rear-end collision into an override accident when the tires of the truck roll up and over the car.
An override accident can be deadly, as the immense weight of the truck can crush the smaller car beneath it. The occupants inside the car can suffer severe or fatal injuries, including spinal cord compression, multiple broken bones, internal organ damage and traumatic brain injuries. Since many of these accidents are fatal, surviving family members may have grounds to file an Orange County wrongful death claim against the trucking company.
Underride and Override Truck Accidents Are Preventable
Underride and override accidents may describe two different types of commercial truck collisions, but both are the same in regard to the level of damage they can inflict on victims, as well as victims’ rights after the crash. If a truck operator or trucking company is responsible for causing the crash, they can be held responsible through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in California.
Common causes of these truck accidents include:
- Sudden stopping or brake-checking
- Distracted driving
- Lack of side-impact or rear-impact guards
- Broken federal safety laws
- Poor truck driver visibility
- Driver negligence, such as speeding or distracted driving
- A large truck following a smaller car too closely
- Dangerous truck maneuvers, such as sudden lane changes
- Failing to check a truck’s blind spots
- Truck brake failure
- Poor truck maintenance and part breakdowns
When negligence or the failure to exercise proper care results in an underride or override truck accident, an injured victim has the right to pursue damages or financial compensation from the at-fault party. If you need assistance determining and proving the cause of your recent truck accident in California, contact a lawyer at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian. We offer free initial consultations.