A Guide to Underride Truck Accidents in Maryland

The Different Types of Underride Truck Accidents in Maryland

Truck underride crashes account for more than 200 traffic fatalities per year in the U.S. Typically, there are two types of underride crashes: rear and side.

rear truck underride accident in Maryland | MD truck accident lawyer

Rear Underride Accidents in Maryland

Although the U.S. Department of Transportation requires commercial trucks to have noticeable markings on their trailers to make them visible to other motorists at night, not all trucking companies comply. The lack of clearly visible markings on a trailer can make it difficult for other motorists to see the truck at night when it’s moving slowly before a turn or slowing down at an intersection. Truckers who don’t use emergency flashers or place reflective triangles on the road when pulled over on the shoulder also make it hard for other drivers to see their trucks. In any of these scenarios, a passenger car can run into and under the rear of a commercial truck’s trailer before realizing the truck is even there.

Side Underride Accidents in Maryland

Side underride crashes typically take place at night when a large truck is driving through an intersection, making a turn, or reversing. Other vehicles approaching the truck broadside might not see it until it’s too late if there are no visible markings on the side; its lights or reflectors are dirty, broken, or missing; it’s dark in color; or it’s moving slowly.

Underride Guards

While commercial trucks are required to have rear guards below their trailers to prevent rear underride wrecks, side underride guards are not yet mandatory, so the risk of a side underride is higher than that of a rear underride crash. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the chances of surviving an underride crash without guards in place are low for the occupants of the smaller car that gets compressed and possibly dragged by the 18-wheeler.

Underride Crash Injuries

When a smaller car is trapped beneath a large truck’s trailer, the roof that protects the car’s occupants can be destroyed or torn off, leaving those occupants vulnerable to severe or catastrophic injuries, including:

Whiplash

Dislocation or hyperextension of joints

Sciatica

Spinal cord damage or paralysis

Broken bones

Internal bleeding and organ damage

Fractured ribs or pelvis

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Amputation

Decapitation

If you lose a loved one to an underride crash, our experienced Frederick truck accident lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim against the appropriate defendant(s).

Negligence Leading to Maryland Underride Truck Crashes

Both truckers and trucking companies are held to high standards of safety and truck maintenance by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Nonetheless, truck underride accidents in Maryland often result from the driver and/or employer's negligence.

Trucker Negligence

A trucker has a duty to obey all traffic laws and operate safely at all times. An accident can result any time a trucker engages in negligent driving habits:

Speeding
Tailgating
Failing to yield
Not checking blind spots
Stopping suddenly
Failing to use turn signals or flashers
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Driving when fatigued, drowsy, or distracted
Parking or backing up on the shoulder of the road

Trucking Company’s Negligence

A trucking company is required to maintain its vehicles properly and put only trucks in safe operating condition on the road. Allowing a truck with any of the following equipment issues to be driven would constitute negligence on the part of the company that owns and operates it:

Burnt-out taillights or brake lights
Worn-out or improperly inflated tires
Damaged steering or braking systems
Improper lighting
Dirty or missing reflectors/reflective tape
Problems with coupling equipment

If you’re injured or lose a loved one in an underride accident caused by negligence on the part of a trucker or trucking company, you’re entitled to compensation from that party’s insurer for medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering resulting from the crash.

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Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?

Truck accidents are not like other types of motor vehicle accidents; they often involve commercial defendants, multiple insurance policies, and significant damages. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need a dedicated truck accident attorney to help resolve your claim for its full, fair value.

Our seasoned staff of truck accident experts stand ready to help you with your case. We have offices in Hagerstown and Frederick, and we serve clients in Baltimore, Catonsville, Lutherville-Timonium, Towson, Hunt Valley, Potomac, Columbia, Germantown, Waldorf, Silver Spring, Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Rockville, Dundalk, Severn, and Annapolis. Speak with a truck accident attorney at the Poole Law Group at 301-790-3600 or contact us online for your free consultation.