After decades of deadly impacts between smaller passenger vehicles and tractor-trailer trucks where underride killed or permanently disabled crash victims, the NTSB has issued some new recommendations regarding safety for heavy trucks (NTSB Safety Recommendations, 4/3/14)
The recommendations include a mandate that newly manufactured heavy trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings over 10,000 pounds must be equipped with side underride protection systems. The trucks also must have revised, improved rear underride protection systems designed to cover the full width of the truck’s trailer. These new designs should be a major safety improvement over commonly seen underride guards which don’t extend to the corners of the trailer, and should offer increased protection for smaller vehicles’ occupants in corner impact collisions.
Impacts with 18-wheeler trailers occur frequently, especially at night where drivers might run into unlit trailers of turning or crossing trucks. They also tend to happen in failed lane change or merging accidents. And a recent crash in Harris County, where a driver veered across a median for unspecified reasons and struck an 18-wheeler trailer provides another example. We wonder if strong, side impact guards could have reduced the severity of the injuries in this tragic crash?
The crash occurred early on Friday afternoon in northeast Harris County on Highway 90 at Miller Road when a driver crossed over the median and struck the trailer of an 18-wheeler. The driver of the smaller vehicle was killed by the impact. Authorities closed the highway for hours to investigate the crash. (Matt Aufdenspring, KTRK ABC 13, 4/25/14) The Harris County truck accident attorneys at Denena Points, PC express their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the crash victim.
The cause of the crash and the nature of the injuries weren’t reported. But often when smaller vehicles crash into the trailers of heavy trucks, underride is a factor due to the trucks’ higher ground clearances. Underride occurs when the smaller vehicle continues traveling all or part way beneath an 18-wheeler. The force of the impact can shear off or crush the top of the passenger compartment, resulting in fatal or permanently disabling injuries. The problem is most severe in side-impact and rear-end collisions. Most tractor-trailers have rear underride guards, but current designs that don’t extend across the full width of the trailer are inadequate to prevent serious injuries or death.
Contact the Harris County Truck Accident Attorneys at Denena Points, PC if a Tractor Trailer Truck Crash has harmed You or Your Loved Ones
We believe that accident victims deserve strong advocacy and protection of their rights against big trucking companies and powerful insurance companies that would seek to minimize the value of their losses. Insurance companies and trucking companies working to protect their bottom lines could leave you hurting and incapable of meeting your heavy financial burdens after a serious heavy truck accident.
We could help you hold a trucking company accountable for the losses you suffered because an 18-wheeler had inadequate safety features. Call us today at 713-807-9500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a FREE initial legal consultation to discuss your case. We will meet with you face to face to hear your story. You have no obligation to hire an attorney. We’ve been helping injured victims and their families make full financial recoveries for over a decade. And our knowledge of truck crash cases could help you make informed decisions about your future following a serious accident.
We don’t charge you any attorney’s fees unless we help you WIN your case. Let us help you make a full financial recovery for your undeserved 18-wheeler accident losses. Contact us today.