When collisions between large trucks and passenger vehicles take place, serious injuries or even death occur. It is therefore important for you to understand how these accidents can be prevented, the functions of underride guards, as well as the legal options available to you in the event of such an accident. Trucks and semi-trucks rely on various safety measures such as multiple side and front mirrors, fish-eye mirrors, warning signs, blind-spot detectors, and underride guards.
What are underride guards?
Underride guards are a protection feature meant to prevent a passenger vehicle from ‘sliding’ beneath the rear of a truck when an accident takes place. Underride guards are common when one or both vehicles are over speeding, but it can also take place at lower speeds. Most trucks weigh above 80,000 lbs and will automatically resist pressure coming from a passenger vehicle. Simply, underride guards are steel bar assemblies attached to the rear of a trailer to prevent another vehicle from sliding under the rear of the truck during a collision.
Why are Underride Guards Important?
Due to the frequency of accidents involving collisions of truck, the law mandated trailers to use underside guards on the backs or the sides to prevent accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) statistics shows that approximately 260 individuals lose their lives annually in the U.S resulting from truck and passenger vehicle collisions. A group of insurers has recently come out to show that while underride guards are important, they are not as effective as the government thought out at first, and that there is room for enhancing their functionality.
What is the current situation?
Current underrides are helpful in reducing and preventing fatal injuries when rear-end collisions occur. However, their usefulness is greatly reduced when the passenger vehicle does not run directly into the rear of the truck. When the collision on the side or the corner and not directly with rear-end, the guard becomes ineffective. The current standards of underride guards in use in Tennessee are not as effective and require review and possibly, improvement. The government should also come forth to ensure the ability of the underride guards to protect the car even when one of the vehicles is driving beyond 35 mph.
So are underride guards on truck effective?
To some extent, these guards are effective depending on the nature of accident. Most guards are placed at the rear of the truck. Therefore, if collision is an override or occurs at the corner of the truck, the passenger car is not well protected. Generally, the local government and the Highway Authority have been slow in regulating underride guard protection even as insurers call for measures to improve the effectiveness of the guards.
Tips for passenger and semi-truck drivers
Drivers can do their part in reducing accidents due to human error. Passenger drivers should be aware of trucks and understand they cannot maneuver well like cars. They should avoid tailgating, truck blind spots and in-vehicle distractions. Truck drivers should look out for passenger vehicles, drive defensively, and maintain their equipment in functioning order. Brake lights must be functional for alerting other vehicles and avoid use of inoperable or unclean taillights.
In the event that you have been involved in a collision accident, with the help of a good attorney, you can get help to establish proof of negligence on the side of the government or the truck owner.
