Brevard County Car Accidents With Large Underride Trucks
Large trucks are essential for interstate commerce. While essential for daily life, that does not mean that they are always safe. Catastrophic accidents can occur that involve large commercial vehicles. When these large truck accidents happen, the injuries can prove deadly.
The Melbourne, FL lawyers of Charpentier Law Firm, P.A. would like to consider the hazards of underride truck accidents, and cover some of the reasons why these collisions may occur.
About Underride Truck Accidents
Underride truck accidents refer to incidents in which a motor vehicle collides with the underside of a tractor-trailer, pinning it underneath. This might occur as a result of a sideswipe accident, a rear end collision, or a t-bone crash. The US government estimates that 200 Americans die each year in underride truck collisions.
A t-bone underride truck accident is the deadliest kind of collision since the top of a vehicle may be completely destroyed. Any sort of safety features in a vehicle are completely useless in these sorts of collisions.
Tailgating and Underride Truck Accidents
When drivers are too close to a large truck, the risk of a read end accident and subsequent underride crash are high. Be sure to have proper space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you when driving, especially when you are behind a large truck.
Malfunctioning Brake Lights and Tail Lights
Related to rear end collisions and underride accidents, it’s important to consider problems with brake lights and tail lights. When these vehicle lights are not in proper working order, the risk of rear end collisions are much higher.
Trailer in the Intersection
One reason that t-bone underride accidents occur is when a large truck’s trailer is partially blocking an intersection. This may be due to a truck running a red light or severe traffic in one direction. In either case, this is a recipe for a disastrous collision.
Truck Driver Negligence
Drivers of large trucks may contribute to an underride accident by demonstrating negligence behind the wheel. This could include running red lights or blocking intersections, though it may also involve dangerous or illegal turns, or failing to check mirrors while merging or changing lanes.
Lack of Reflective Tape on the Trailer
We often take reflective tape for granted, but it is sometimes a last line of defense from a collision. If a driver can at least see the outline of a trailer from a distance, they can apply the brakes and avoid a deadly crash.
No Underride Guard on the Trailer
Underride guards are reinforced rails that are located at the back of a trailer and the sides. This underride guard prevents a vehicle from going beneath the trailer of a truck. This reduces the severity of an accident and can prevent fatal injuries and collisions from occurring.
Poor Weather Conditions
In bad weather, such as rain or fog, it might be difficult to slow your vehicle down or see hazards that are ahead of you. In both of these situations, there’s a greater likelihood of an accident. Drive slow and cautious in these situations.
Contact Our Expert Trucking Accident Attorneys Right Now
For more information about your legal rights and options after a collision with a large truck, it’s important that you contact the attorneys of Charpentier Law Firm by calling 321-308-8020. We will help you and your loved ones in your time of legal need.
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IN BREVARD COUNTY
Over the past 40-plus years of helping Brevard County's injured and mistreated, our firm has obtained some $65 million in recoveries on behalf of our clients, highlighted by an $15.5 million product liability award.
The team at Charpentier Law Firm has the negotiation skills to reach favorable settlements in many cases, but also has the experience and perseverance to try a case to verdict whenever it is in the best interests of our clients. Our history of success illustrates our dedication to our clients and their pursuit of justice. Our personal injury attorneys in Melbourne, Titusville, and Cocoa are proud to offer superior legal representation to victims and their families throughout Brevard County and Central Florida.