Chicago Underride Accident Attorneys
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Many times, victims of a truck underride accident are quick to accept the first offer that a trucking company’s insurer comes back with. That’s out of fear of the next offer being lower or nonexistent. Don’t let an insurance company push you around after being in an underride accident with a commercial truck. Here at Walner Law, our Chicago truck accident lawyers are here to listen and get you the fair compensation you deserve. When we assist with your car accident case, you will be ready for whatever challenges the trucking company and its insurance providers throw at you. We’ll work hard to negotiate for the best possible settlement amount, allowing you to focus on other parts of your life.Please contact us online or call at (312) 410-8496 to learn more.
What is an underride accident?
An underride accident is a truck accident that involves a smaller vehicle going underneath the trailer of a big rig or 18-wheeler. Underride accidents are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents because it can be nearly impossible for a smaller passenger vehicle to safely escape once stuck under a truck’s trailer. As the truck continues to drive, it will drag the smaller vehicle with it and possibly run it completely over, causing catastrophic damage, severe injuries, and, in some cases, fatality.What causes an underride accident?
Truck companies like to argue that underride accidents “must be” the fault of the drivers of smaller passenger vehicles because they were tailgating larger trucks. Of course, this is not true. There are many incidents in which a truck driver’s negligence can be the direct and only cause of that truck crash. A few factors that can increase the risk of an underride accident include:- A truck’s defective tail lights, making it difficult to notice when it is backing up
- A truck’s lack of underride guards
- A truck driver causing a hard-braking event without due cause
- A truck driver turning widely into an adjacent lane without warning
Override vs. Underride Accidents
Overrides occur when a truck runs over a passenger vehicle. Underrides occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck. Both are made possible by the large height difference between the top of a standard car and the bottom of a tractor trailer. Both underrides and overrides often result in serious or fatal injuries for the occupants of smaller vehicles.Injuries Suffered in Underride Accidents
As mentioned, underride accidents are extremely dangerous and often result in catastrophic injuries. Even with evolving safety features for vehicles, a crushed vehicle can do little to protect those passengers inside from harm. Life-changing injuries suffered by underride accident survivors include:- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Permanent disfigurement