Underride vs Override Accident in Alabama
Dothan attorney initiates lawsuits when large trucks cause severe damage
Tractor-trailers are huge vehicles that dwarf passenger automobiles. Because of the immense difference in size and construction, there are different dynamics at play when a truck collides with a car, as opposed to one car hitting another. Two distinct and potentially devastating scenarios are underride and override collisions, where the danger of a moving truck meeting with a passenger car is most evident. At Carey & Hamner, P.C., our truck accident attorneys have broad experience with commercial vehicle collisions. We understand the factors that cause an underride vs override accident in Alabama. If you or a loved one has been harmed in such an accident, we can take the decisive steps that enable you to recover the full compensation you deserve.
What is an underride truck accident?
An underride accident occurs when a passenger car is trapped beneath the undercarriage of a tractor-trailer. This can occur in a sideswipe, T-bone, or rear-end collision, where the passenger car gets past the safety guards and is pinned in the truck’s “underbelly.”
What is an override truck accident?
At a monster truck rally, a vehicle with enormous wheels drives over a row of smaller vehicles, grinding them into the ground as it passes over them. That is the essence of an override accident, where a large commercial truck flattens a passenger vehicle by rolling onto and over it.
Common causes of override and underride truck accidents
Override and underride accidents are both extremely dangerous, but they result from different causes. In an override accident, the truck initiates contact with the smaller vehicle. The reasons for this might be any of the following:
- Aggressive driving or speeding
- Tailgating or otherwise not maintaining sufficient stopping distance for the speed at which the truck is traveling
- Truck driver inattention, distraction, or impairment
- Brake or tire failure
- A passenger vehicle cutting off the truck
In an underride crash, the smaller vehicle might initiate contact due to these reasons:
- Either vehicle fails to stop when it should at an intersection.
- Poor visibility prevents the motorist from seeing the truck cross its path.
- The passenger car is traveling in the truck’s long blind spot and does not correct its position when the truck signals a lane change.
- The truck driver makes a sudden lane change without checking for vehicles.
Inclement weather and poor road conditions can also contribute to override or underride accidents.
Avoiding underride and override accidents
Truck companies, their drivers and other motorists can take positive actions to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Truck companies should equip their vehicles with the following safety gear:
- Steel side guards to prevent vehicles from getting to the undercarriage
- Reflective tape and illumination of trailers for greater visibility
- Equipment maintenance, especially of tires and breaks
- Blindspot monitoring technology
For their part, truck drivers should:
- Never tailgate
- Always check their stopping distance
- Check blind spots and signal before changing lanes
- Travel at a reasonable speed
Motorists also need to take safety precautions when traveling near to large trucks. Do not ride in the trucker driver’s blind spot. Do not weave from lane to lane ahead of a large truck. Do not enter a lane too close to the cabin of a tractor-trailer.
Compensation for underride and override accident injuries
Our Dothan truck accident attorneys have ample experience prosecuting cases of severe injuries and truck accident deaths. We are prepared to help you recover full compensation for your economic losses as well as your pain and suffering.
Contact a skillful Dothan truck accident lawyer for a free consultation
Carey & Hamner, P.C. represents victims of override and underride accidents in Dothan and throughout Alabama. Call 855-435-4797 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. If you are unable to visit our office due to your injuries, we can come to you.
