Underride Truck Collisions in NYC: Causes and Liability
Underride truck accidents are some of the deadliest crashes you’ll see in NYC. These accidents happen when a smaller car slides underneath the rear or side of a big commercial truck. When the upper part of the car gets crushed, people inside often end up with life-changing injuries or don’t survive.
New York City’s heavy traffic and endless delivery trucks make underride crashes more common. If you’ve been hurt in one of these accidents, understanding how they happen and who’s legally responsible is important.
What Causes Underride Accidents?
Several things can lead to underride truck accidents. Here are some of the most common causes of these crashes:
Sudden Stops
Big trucks take longer to slow down than regular cars. If a truck slams on the brakes, a smaller vehicle may not stop in time and may end up underneath it.
Poor Visibility
Rain, fog, nighttime, or poor trailer lights can make it hard to see trucks. When drivers can’t see a truck until it’s too late, rear-end underride accidents can happen.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Trucks have huge blind spots. If a driver swerves or changes lanes without checking their blind spots, a nearby car can get trapped underneath.
Missing or Damaged Guards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires trucks to have rear underride guards to prevent accidents from turning deadly. If these guards are missing or damaged, accidents can turn deadly, fast.
Improper Parking
Sometimes these accidents happen because truck drivers park in unsafe spots without warning lights or reflective markings.
Injuries in underride accidents
Underride crashes are serious because the truck often strikes the windshield or roof of the smaller car. People involved in these accidents usually suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe neck and back damage
- Internal bleeding
- Facial injuries, sometimes permanent disfigurement
- Fatal injuries
Often, survivors require surgeries, rehabilitation, and years of medical care.
Who May Be Liable?
Determining who’s at fault after a truck underride accident isn’t always as simple as you might think. Multiple parties can be involved, including:
The Truck Driver
If the driver was negligent, for example, if they were distracted driving, speeding, or violating traffic rules, they could be held liable.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies can be held liable under the legal principle of vicarious liability, which holds employers responsible for employees’ actions while on the job. They may also be held directly liable if they hired unqualified drivers, failed to offer proper training, set impossible schedules, or neglected truck maintenance.
Maintenance Companies
If faulty brakes, lights, or broken underride guards led to the crash, whoever was supposed to keep the truck in might be legally responsible.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers may face liability if defective truck parts or underride guards failed during the accident.
Evidence That Can Help Your Claim
Useful evidence in a truck underride accident case includes;
- Police reports
- Black box data from the truck
- Video footage
- Maintenance logs and inspection records.
Your Legal Rights After an NYC Underride Tuck Accident
If you’ve suffered injuries in a New York underride truck collision, you can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other damages. If a loved one died in such a crash, your family may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you or a loved one were involved in an NYC underride truck accident, contact our Long Island truck accident lawyers at Jacobson Law today to discuss your rights and potential compensation options.