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Why are truck underride crashes so dangerous?

On Behalf of | Sep 30, 2023 | Auto, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents

Truck underride crashes are among the most hazardous accidents on New York roadways. These incidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with a commercial truck and ends up sliding beneath it.

The consequences of truck underride accidents are often devastating, and many people traveling in passenger cars either experience significant injuries or die in these incidents.

Inadequate vehicle protection

Truck underride crashes are so dangerous because no protection exists for the occupants in smaller vehicles. When a car slides underneath a truck, the top of the car is vulnerable to severe damage or even complete destruction. This may lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities for those inside the smaller vehicle.

Impact severity

The severity of the impact in truck underride crashes is another important factor. When a car collides with a truck and slides underneath it, the people in the smaller vehicle may suffer severe head or upper body injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and fatalities, due to the direct impact on the vehicle’s occupants.

Limited visibility

Limited visibility also contributes to truck underride crashes. Commercial trucks are much taller than passenger cars, making it difficult for truck drivers to see smaller vehicles that may be directly in front or behind them.

According to Frontline, more than 400 people died across the United States in truck underride crashes in 2021. This amounted to less than 1% of all road deaths that year. However, many safety advocates and transportation industry authorities believe underreporting of these incidents is widespread, citing differing rules from state to state about what constitutes an “underride crash.”

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