There are many different types of accidents you can be involved in that carry varying degrees of risk. But one of the most dangerous is an underride accident. Part of the reason is simply that this involves a semi-truck. If you’re in a smaller vehicle, the odds are higher that you will be injured when involved in a crash with such a heavy vehicle.
But you don’t want to ignore the height of the vehicle, which also plays a significant role. In fact, it is that height that creates an underride accident, which is when another car goes under the truck. This car will often become pinned or trapped, sometimes with people still inside. Underride accidents can happen in front of him behind semi trucks, but they usually happen between the wheels on the trailer.
What went wrong?
This is a type of accident that occurs, in many cases, when a truck driver simply makes a mistake and cuts off a smaller vehicle. Maybe the driver is trying to turn left out of a parking lot. They don’t see a convertible coming, so they pull into the street, effectively blocking both lanes. The convertible strikes the area between the wheels and the car slides underneath the trailer.
Being trapped in the vehicle is one danger, but the impact point during the accident is also a significant risk. The lower edge of the trailer will generally be much higher than the car’s bumper, crumple zones and other safety systems. Instead, it impacts the windshield and the roof of the smaller vehicle, leading to severe injuries for those inside.
If you’ve been injured in one of these accidents, or if you’ve lost a loved one in such a wreck, you may need to know how to seek financial compensation to help your family and your recovery. Contact a Denver car accident attorney to get started on your free consultation.
