Underride Accidents: When Cars Slide Under Trucks

Underride accidents are some of the most devastating crashes on Texas roads. These collisions occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler, often shearing off the top of the car and causing catastrophic or fatal injuries to vehicle occupants. While federal safety regulations and industry standards require measures to prevent these crashes, underride accidents continue to occur for a number of reasons, including truck driver negligence, trucking company noncompliance with safety rules, and automotive design defects.

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or worse in an underride accident, contact Turley Law Firm to speak with one of our Dallas auto & truck accident lawyers. We represent accident victims throughout Texas and the southeastern United States with integrity, excellence, compassion, and dedication to results.

Truck Driver Negligence and Underride Accidents

Truck drivers play a critical role in preventing underride collisions. Unfortunately, negligence behind the wheel can create dangerous situations where underride crashes are more likely. Common examples of truck driver negligence that can contribute to these accidents include:

• Sudden Stops or Improper Lane Changes – If a truck driver brakes suddenly without warning or makes an unsafe lane change, vehicles behind them may not have enough time or space to react, increasing the risk of underride.

• Failure to Use Lights or Reflective Markings – Trucks are required to have proper lighting and reflective materials to remain visible at night or in poor weather. Failing to maintain these features can make a truck nearly invisible to approaching drivers.

• Blocking Roadways – When a truck stops across a lane of traffic, particularly at night or in low-visibility conditions, oncoming vehicles may slide underneath the trailer before realizing the obstruction.

NHTSA Requirements for Underride Guards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has established safety requirements designed to minimize the risk of underride crashes. These include:

• Rear Underride Guards – Federal law requires most trailers to be equipped with rear underride guards strong enough to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath in a rear-end collision. In 2022, NHTSA upgraded its requirements to align with stricter Canadian safety standards, requiring guards to withstand crashes at speeds up to 35 mph.

• Side Underride Guards – While side underride guards are not yet mandatory under federal law, NHTSA has studied their effectiveness extensively. Many safety advocates argue that side guards could prevent thousands of injuries and fatalities each year. Some states have introduced legislation to mandate side underride protection, but these efforts have met with strong opposition from the trucking industry.

Trucking Company Liability

When trucking companies fail to comply with NHTSA regulations or industry best practices, they may be held liable for underride accidents. Liability may arise from:

• Failure to Equip Proper Guards – Operating trailers without compliant rear underride guards—or with guards that are rusted, damaged, or otherwise defective—places drivers at risk.

• Failure to Adopt Industry Standards – Even if not federally required, companies may be found negligent for failing to use side underride guards if such equipment is widely recognized as a reasonable safety precaution.

• Negligent Maintenance – If a company fails to inspect or maintain underride guards, it can be held accountable for resulting injuries.

Products Liability in Underride Accidents

In some cases, liability may extend beyond the truck driver or trucking company to the manufacturers of defective products. Examples include:

• Defective Underride Guards – If an underride guard fails to perform as intended due to poor design, weak materials, or inadequate testing, the manufacturer may be held responsible under product liability law.

• Automobile Crashworthiness – Automakers also have a duty to design vehicles that protect occupants in foreseeable crashes. If a car’s roof structure collapses during an underride accident because of inadequate reinforcements, or if safety systems fail to protect occupants, the automaker may face liability under crashworthiness standards.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable for Underride Accidents

Underride crashes are among the deadliest roadway accidents, but they are also preventable. Trucking companies, manufacturers, and automakers all share responsibility for ensuring that vehicles are equipped with safety features that can save lives. When they fail in this duty, victims and their families have the right to pursue justice and compensation.

At Turley Law Firm, our Dallas personal injury attorneys have extensive experience investigating car and truck accidents, identifying every liable party, and fighting for the compensation our clients deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride collision, contact us today for a free consultation.

Call Turley Law Firm Today

Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact Turley Law Firm in Dallas to learn how we can help you hold negligent drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers accountable after an underride accident in Texas or beyond.