Each year more than 350 people are killed when the car in which they are riding crashes into the rear end of a stopped or slow-moving big rig. This type of accident is called an underride crash and has been a recognized highway safety problem for decades.
As early as 1953, in an effort to address this serious issue, the federal government instituted standards for truck underride guards. Unfortunately those standards and the subsequent 'improvements' developed in the 1960's, 70's and later, have failed to effectively protect the driving public. Truck accidents continue to be a danger in Missouri; St. Louis truck accident attorneys have helped many people recover financially after a truck accident has caused serious physical, mental and financial injuries.
What is a Truck Underride Guard?
The purpose of the truck underride guard is to prevent a vehicle that hits a heavy truck from the rear from sliding under the truck, but a recent investigation and testing by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) demonstrated that even guards that meet the current standards are woefully inadequate. Because of the nature of the underride crash, most of the damage is inflicted to the head, face and upper body of the victims. These injuries are always serious and often catastrophic, resulting in disfigurement, life altering injuries and death.
The IIHS study of actual and simulated accidents clearly shows that commonly installed rear guards that adhere to required safety criteria, are ineffective in protecting passengers from the deadly consequences of these types of truck accidents. Even at a very modest speed of thirty-five mph, truck underride guards tested in the study buckled and fell off the truck, providing virtually no protection at all. The Chevrolet Malibu, used as the test sedan, slid completely under the truck. According to a spokesman for the IIHS, in the real world, the crash would have lead to serious injuries and likely have been fatal.
In fairness, it should be noted that there is a difficult obstacle to overcome in determining precisely how to construct underride guards so they can function properly and not add to the potential damage. To the people who have experienced the disastrous effects of an underride crash or who have lost a loved one, however, thirty years of study to get it right seems excessive. Missouri personal injury attorneys cannot change what happened, but they can help you understand your right to compensation for medical and other expenses related to a truck accident.
