Override and underride truck accidents are some of the most dangerous scenarios that can occur.
One report made by the NHTSA mentioned there was about 72% of override or underride chance in frontal trucking accidents and 53.9% when the truck is struck from the side.
Override accidents mean the truck runs over a vehicle, while the underride involves a vehicle sliding under the trailer. In both cases, the injuries are often life-threatening.
What Are the Injuries?
Most of the damage these types of accidents cause are severe and can lead to extensive medical treatment. In some cases, the accident can even prove fatal. Here are some common injuries that can occur in override or underride trucking accidents:
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury occurs when there is a violent blow to the head, leading to very serious symptoms such as blurry vision, headaches, or even emotional issues. TBIs often require years of rehabilitation, and in some cases, the damage can be permanent.
2. Lower Back Injuries
Lower back injuries are dangerous because they could potentially impair a person’s ability to move. They can cause permanent disabilities, forcing the victim to a life of medical treatments and a lowered quality of life. If the injury is not too severe, the person may totally recover, though the process is often long and difficult.
3. Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when there is damage to the soft tissue of the neck. The violent jolting of an override or underride accident could strain the muscles and tissue of the neck and cause severe damage. What’s worse, whiplash often does not show any immediate symptoms apart from some discomfort in the neck area. As a result, victims may brush off these symptoms and not get immediate medical attention, complicating their injury even further.
4. Amputation or Loss of Limbs
The impact of these accidents could potentially lead to the loss of limbs, whether it is a direct result of the accident or an amputation was later on required because of the extent of the injury. Losing a limb greatly affects a person’s quality of life, as they most likely will lose their job, and require expensive medical interventions like rehabilitation or paying for a medical device to replace the limb.
5. Fatalities
Lastly, override and underride trucking accidents have a very high mortality rate because the circumstances that lead to them are often grand: negligence, speeding, driver impairment, etc.
If you’ve been injured in an override or underride trucking accident or a loved one has been killed, you may be entitled to compensation. Reach out to a St. Louis auto accident lawyer to see what your legal options are. In some cases, you may have to file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance company, though if there is evidence of negligence, the trucking company may also be liable. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 for a FREE consultation.