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When most people think of car accidents, head-on collisions or high-speed freeway pileups often come to mind. However, rear-end collisions are equally devastating. According to the National Safety Council, rear-end collisions account for over 17% of all traffic-related deaths.
While they might seem less catastrophic at a glance, these crashes can be particularly deadly due to a phenomenon known as an “underride accident.” This occurs when a smaller passenger vehicle slides under the rear end of a tractor-trailer. The impact often shears off the top of the car, causing fatal injuries to those inside.
The brutal truth is that rear-end collisions involving trucks are not only common, but many of them are entirely preventable.
The Hidden Risk of Underride Accidents
Most tractor-trailers today are equipped with what’s called a “rear impact guard”. It is a horizontal steel bar designed to stop vehicles from sliding underneath during a collision. But the effectiveness of these guards varies widely depending on their design.
For instance, some guards are built to withstand impacts up to 30 mph. But on highways, where minimum speeds typically begin at 40 mph, this level of protection may be woefully inadequate.
This design gap has been the subject of increasing scrutiny. Experts, engineers, and safety advocates have long pushed for updated regulations, but progress has been slow.
The current federal safety standards for underride protection were introduced in 1998. Critics argue that they haven’t kept up with the reality of modern driving conditions.
A Tragic Crash Sparks Legal Action
A recent case in St. Louis, Missouri, has reignited the conversation around this pressing safety issue. In a high-profile product liability trial, a jury awarded $462 million to the families of two young men. They were killed in a 2019 rear-end crash involving a Wabash National trailer.
Their vehicle slid underneath the trailer, and the plaintiffs argued that the trailer’s two-post rear impact guard was fatally inadequate.
The families’ attorneys made the case that a four-post design already adopted by some manufacturers could have prevented the fatalities. They also alleged that Wabash knew about the design’s limitations but avoided improvements due to cost concerns.
Outdated Standards and a Landmark Verdict
Although the trailer met existing federal safety standards, the plaintiffs contended that those standards were outdated and ineffective at highway speeds.
The jury agreed, awarding $450 million in punitive damages and $12 million in compensatory damages. The decision is being viewed by many as a wake-up call for the trucking industry and regulators alike.
This St. Louis case is a powerful reminder that skilled legal representation can make a difference. With the right support, families can fight for accountability and receive a measure of justice, even if it’s financial.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, don’t wait to seek help. An experienced truck or car accident lawyer in St. Louis can help you get justice.
TorHoerman Law writes that a knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand your rights and gather critical evidence. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What This Means for Everyday Drivers
For everyday drivers, the tragedy underscores a larger truth: not all vehicles on the road are equally safe to crash into. While that may sound grim, understanding the risks can empower drivers to make better choices and to push for stronger safety standards.
When driving behind large trucks:
- Keep a generous following distance. This gives you more time to stop in case of sudden braking.
- Avoid lingering in a truck’s blind spot. If you can’t see the driver’s side mirrors, they likely can’t see you.
- Be especially cautious at high speeds. Even modern safety features in your own vehicle might not be enough to protect you in an underride situation.
The Call for Reform
The Missouri case may be one of the largest verdicts of its kind. However, it’s not the first time the issue of underride guards has come under fire.
Rear underride collisions have long been a known hazard. This has prompted safety advocates to push for national legislation requiring stronger, more rigorously tested rear impact guards on all trailers.
These advocates argue that the current patchwork of safety measures is not enough, especially when lives are at stake during high-speed crashes. While some manufacturers have taken it upon themselves to adopt improved designs, many others continue to rely on outdated or minimally compliant equipment.
In the absence of clear and enforced federal regulations, the industry remains uneven, leaving drivers and passengers exposed to unnecessary risks on the road.
Some manufacturers have voluntarily improved their designs, but many have not. Without regulatory pressure, the status quo remains dangerously inconsistent.
FAQs
Are underride guards mandatory in all countries?
No, underride guard regulations vary globally. While the U.S. has federal standards for rear guards, they haven’t been significantly updated in decades. Countries like Canada and those in the European Union generally have stricter and more modern standards for underride protection.
Do modern safety features in cars help in underride accidents?
Features like automatic emergency braking (AEB) can reduce the risk of a collision. However, once an underride crash occurs, most car safety systems (like airbags or crumple zones) offer limited protection. That’s because the point of impact is often higher than where these systems are designed to engage.
Do trucking companies bear responsibility for underride crashes?
The outcome can vary based on the unique circumstances of each case. If the trucking company used trailers with outdated or poorly maintained guards, they could be held partially or fully liable. This also applies if they failed to retrofit safer options when available, especially when those upgrades were industry standard or easily accessible.
Overall, lawsuits like the Wabash case help shine a spotlight on the dangers of rear underride collisions. But meaningful change requires public awareness, updated regulations, and industry accountability.
Until stronger safety measures are in place, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks will remain more dangerous than necessary.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck-related accident, seeking legal representation is essential. These cases often involve complicated questions of liability and regulatory compliance. The right legal team can be crucial in securing the justice and compensation you deserve.
