When a passenger vehicle gets into a crash with a commercial truck, the smaller vehicle will probably incur massive damage. The passengers in the vehicle could also suffer serious injuries.
Some of the most serious collisions that cars have with big trucks are override and underride crashes. Although these collisions look very similar based on the damage caused to the smaller vehicle, they are somewhat different.
How can you tell the difference between an override or underride crash involving a commercial truck?
AN OVERRIDE CRASH INVOLVES A BIG TRUCK HITTING THE BACK OF A SMALLER VEHICLE
In an override crash, a commercial truck ends up striking the back of a passenger vehicle and then going up and over it. The damage to the smaller vehicle can be catastrophic.
You may have noticed that many commercial trucks have very low front bumpers. That design feature helps reduce override crashes but doesn’t totally prevent them. Drivers slowing down in front of big trucks or merging too close in front of them can cause these crashes, as the commercial vehicle may not be able to stop in time.
AN UNDERRIDE CRASH INVOLVES A PASSENGER VEHICLE HITTING A TRUCK
Underride collisions also involve passenger vehicles going under commercial vehicles. However, they involve the passenger vehicle striking the rear of the truck or going under the sides of the trailer.
These crashes can occur for all kinds of reasons, ranging from a commercial truck jackknifing in heavy traffic to a driver losing control of their vehicle. Guards installed on the truck can reduce the risk of such crashes, but companies often don’t invest enough in the best guards available.
Understanding the causes of commercial trucking crashes and how trucking companies could prevent them can help you pursue compensation after a collision impacts your family.
