If someone were to ask what type of truck accident caused more wrongful deaths in our country than any other what would you say?
Do you think they are truck roll-overs?
How about wheel-off accidents?
Maybe accidents caused by truck-drivers who fell asleep?
Or even accidents caused by mechanical failures like faulty brakes or loss of steering?
Actually, they are underride accidents. An underride accident is when a smaller vehicle, usually a car is pushed under a semi-trailer when vehicles collide. The smaller vehicle often goes under the back of the truck as in a rear-end collision but sometimes can be pushed under the side of a trailer.
These accidents are especially dangerous because the impact usually crushes the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Fatalities are most common, and if people survive they most often loose limbs.
You may have noticed underride bars on the back of tractor trailers. These were regulated by the government two decades ago. Unfortunately, most are not strong enough and crumble on impact.
The government also does not regulate side underride protection on trailers at all.
Two women, united in grief because of the loss of their children in underride accidents are working to change that. Sadly they are being met with opposition from the American Trucking Association. The ATA is lobbying hard in hopes that legislators will not approve “The Roya, AnnaLeah & Mary Comprehensive Underride Protection Act of 2017” which calls for manufacturers to install side guards on trailers as well as rear guards to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding under the trailer.
Fortunately, the two mothers have research to back up the bill. Research and crash-test results performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that side mounts provide safety benefits to Americans.
So why would the ATA oppose the bill? Basically they state that they believe regulators should focus on making cars safer and on accident prevention technology. In other words, they don’t believe it’s their problem.
What’s my take on it?? Why not all three? Why not make cars safer? Why not continue to improve crash prevention technology? Why not add underride guards that are strong enough to prevent injury and wrongful death?
Maybe, just maybe injuries can be minimized. Lives could be saved. Grieving mothers could stop staring down the faces of the Trucking Industry and focus on loving their LIVING children. That’s what I think.
How about you?
The Thomson Law Firm is currently accepting trucking accident cases involving serious injury or wrongful death. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, call The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE consultation today.
