The Serious Perils of Override and Underride Truck Collisions

Accidents involving trucks and passenger cars tend to result in more serious injuries due to the significant size and weight disparity between the vehicles. Among the most perilous of these are override and underride collisions. 

An override happens when a large truck drives over the rear or side of a smaller vehicle, often crushing it beneath the truck’s front end. It can occur when a truck is following too closely, the driver fails to brake in time, or during poor visibility conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or nighttime driving. Overrides can also result from mechanical failures such as faulty brakes or from driver fatigue leading to delayed reaction times.

An underride happens when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a tractor-trailer. This can occur when a truck stops suddenly and the car behind cannot brake in time, or when a truck is making an illegal or poorly marked turn. Poor lighting, inadequate reflectors, or failure to use hazard signals can also contribute to underrides. A lack of proper underride guards — safety features designed to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath — can worsen these crashes. 

Liability in these accidents often falls on the truck driver and, vicariously, the trucking company that employs them. Truck drivers may be deemed negligent for behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, fatigue due to hours-of-service violations, or failure to maintain a safe following distance. The trucking company may share liability if it can be shown that they encouraged unsafe practices, failed to provide adequate training, neglected proper vehicle maintenance, or violated federal trucking regulations.

Other parties might also be implicated in a lawsuit seeking damages from override or underride accidents. Manufacturers of the truck or its components, such as brake systems or underride guards, can be held liable if a defect contributed to the accident. Maintenance providers could be at fault if improper servicing led to mechanical failure. Additionally, cargo loaders might be responsible if improperly secured loads shifted, affecting the truck’s handling and causing the accident.

Experienced truck accident attorneys employ varied methods to investigate such accidents thoroughly. They often begin by securing and analyzing evidence from the crash scene, including photographs, surveillance footage, and data from the truck’s electronic logging device (also known as the “black box”), which records speed, braking patterns and other critical data. Attorneys may also obtain driver logs, maintenance records, and company policies to identify any regulatory violations. Expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists, are frequently engaged to provide detailed analyses of how the collision occurred. Additionally, attorneys might interview witnesses, review police reports, and consult with medical professionals to understand the full extent of the victim’s injuries.

With extensive experience in complex truck accident cases, Pulverman & Pulverman, LLP in Santa Barbara, California is dedicated to ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. Call us at 805-962-0397  or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.