Portland Underride Accident Attorney
Seeking Just Compensation in Portland
Trucking is an important element of the economy, but it can also lead to catastrophic injuries when negligence is involved. Accidents involving trucks and tractor-trailers versus automobiles are arguably some of the most horrendous that can occur. The sheer size of trucks makes the force of impact much more damaging than a car-against-car accident.
Underride accidents are when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear end of a large truck It is a type of collision that can have fatal results on a vehicle’s occupants. During the impact, the smaller vehicle’s windows, windshield, and roof are usually crushed beneath the truck. Airbags and seatbelts do little to mitigate the effects of the collision, and often cause severe head, neck, and spine injuries to occupants.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an underride accident with a truck, you need the help of a Portland underride accident attorney. The Law Offices of Timothy Grabe has over three decades of experience and provides exceptional legal assistance in these types of accidents.
Truck Regulations
Since 1998, trucks in the U.S. are required to have rear impact guards. These are steel bars positioned at the back ends of trucks to prevent an automobile from sliding under the truck. Although all trucks are required to have underride guards, trucking companies do not always comply with these regulations.
The guards that are in place may not be strong enough to be effective, and trucks manufactured before 1998 are not required to have them at all. According to the rules by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), safety guards should be installed 22 inches or less from the ground.
Truck Underride Accident Statistics
According to statistics from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), there were around 5,000 truck underride fatalities from 1994 to 2014. In 2014 alone, there were 228 deaths from cars sliding underneath commercial trucks. Too many lives have been turned upside down or taken due to problems with a truck’s underride guard or unsafe driving habits.
Preventing Underride or Override Accidents
Here are some tips to help truck drivers and truck companies avoid underride/override accidents:
- Make sure your tail lights and reflective lights are working properly
- When you are parked on the shoulder, flash your lights
- Avoid making sudden stops
- Inspect brakes regularly
- Keep a safe distance from other vehicles
- Stay alert when driving and pay attention to the road
Call Our Portland Truck Accident Lawyer: 971-645-7176
As a Portland truck accident lawyer, we are dedicated to helping people recover just financial compensation for injuries incurred when an accident has been caused by negligence.
At our law firm, we frequently handle car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and many other motor vehicle accidents.Even if you were partially at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation if the truck was not equipped properly with a guard and your injuries or a loved one’s wrongful death were at least partially due to this factor. Our team is comprised of aggressive and skilled advocates, ready to fight for you.
Contact our firm today for the quality representation you deserve!
