Tulsa Truck Underride Accident Lawyers
Helping individuals injured in truck underride accidents in Oklahoma
Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating crashes on the road. Underride accidents are some of the most dangerous of them all. These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a commercial truck, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Underride crashes are a serious issue here in Tulsa and throughout Oklahoma.
At Biby Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming an underride accident can be for victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these types of crashes, our Tulsa truck accident lawyers are here to help you secure compensation for your injuries and losses.
How can we help?
- What is an underride accident?
- How common are underride accidents?
- What are the different types of Tulsa underride accidents?
- How do underride guards prevent accidents?
- What is the value of my Tulsa truck underride accident claim?
- How do you prove liability in an underride crash?
- Do you have a Tulsa truck underride accident lawyer near me?
What is an underride accident?
An underride accident happens when a smaller vehicle crashes into a larger commercial truck and becomes trapped underneath it. Because these big rigs are much higher off the ground than passenger cars, the top of the smaller vehicle can become crushed or torn off, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.
These accidents can happen with both semi-trucks and trailers, especially when proper safety equipment is missing or isn’t maintained. Even at lower speeds, an underride truck crash can be deadly due to the size and weight differences between commercial trucks and passenger cars.
How common are underride accidents?
Underride accidents are more common than most of us realize, and they’re often underreported in crash statistics.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that, in 2021, there were 488 passenger vehicle fatalities in crashes involving the side of a tractor-trailer truck. Frontline also notes that more than 400 people died in underride crashes in 2021. Frontline further reports, “In its 2019 report, the GAO found that deaths from underride crashes represented less than 1% of total traffic fatalities from 2008 through 2017. But the agency also concluded that these fatalities are likely underreported.”
What are the different types of Tulsa underride accidents?
There are two main types of underride accidents: rear underride accidents and side underride accidents.
Rear underride accidents
A rear underride crash happens when a passenger vehicle strikes the back of a semi-truck or trailer, sliding underneath it. Causes of rear underride crashes include:
- Sudden braking by the truck driver
- Lack of rear underride guards
- Poor truck visibility
- Distracted or fatigued driving
- Bad weather conditions
Rear underride accidents are especially dangerous at night or in low-visibility conditions – trucks may not be seen until it’s too late.
Side underride accidents
Side underride crashes happen when a vehicle collides with the side of a truck or trailer, sliding underneath it. Common causes of side underride accidents include:
- Truck making unsafe turns
- Poorly lit trucks at night
- Lack of side underride guards
- Failure to yield
- Blind spots
Side underride accidents are particularly dangerous because passenger vehicles have less front protection when sliding under a truck.
How do underride guards prevent accidents?
Underride guards are metal barriers designed to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding under a truck in an accident. While they can’t stop all underride accidents, they significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities.
Federal law requires all large trucks and trailers to have rear underride guards. These guards are metal bars positioned at the back of the truck to block smaller vehicles from sliding underneath. However, not all rear guards are strong enough to prevent crashes. Many older trucks have worn-out or outdated guards, making them ineffective in high-speed collisions.
Unlike rear guards, side underride guards are not currently required by federal law. The NHTSA has considered making them mandatory, but most trucking companies have resisted the change due to cost concerns.
The IIHS reports that “a side underride guard mandate could prevent about 160-220 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities each year.”
What is the value of my Tulsa truck underride accident claim?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At Biby Law Firm, we help victims hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. Your compensation may cover:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Lost wages (if you’re unable to work due to injuries)
- Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress)
- Wrongful death damages (if you’ve lost a loved one)
How do you prove liability in an underride crash?
In order to win a truck accident case, our attorneys work to prove that the truck driver or trucking company was negligent. This can include:
- If the truck didn’t have proper rear or side guards, the trucking company could be held responsible.
- Faulty tail lights, worn-out reflectors, or outdated safety equipment can signify negligence.
- If the truck driver was speeding, making illegal turns, or failing to yield, they may be held at fault.
- If the trucking company failed to follow federal trucking regulations, it can be held accountable.
Do you have a Tulsa truck underride accident lawyer near me?
Biby Law Firm has two Tulsa offices located at 9810 E. 42nd Street, Suite 211 and 6305 E 120th Ct., Suite F, as well as an office in Grove, OK. We also meet clients at their homes or healthcare facilities when necessary and can conduct video conferences when desired or required by the circumstances. Our lawyers are respected by former clients, insurance companies, and defense lawyers for our record of strong representation of our personal injury clients.
Contact our Tulsa underride accident attorneys today for legal help
Underride accidents are devastating, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Biby Law Firm, we fight for the rights of truck accident victims and their families in Tulsa. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride crash, call us today for a free consultation. We’re prepared to review your case, explain your legal options, and help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule your consultation, call our offices or fill out our contact form. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We proudly serve all Oklahoma communities but especially focus on Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Claremore, Vinita, Grove, Afton, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Wagoner, Muskogee, and the surrounding areas.