If your car ends up underneath the back or side of a truck, your chances of making it out alive, or without serious injuries, will be low. Underride accidents are usually devastating for those in the smaller vehicles and their families.
The reason they are so catastrophic is down the height at which the smaller vehicle will impact the truck. The impact will typically come at head or upper body level of those in the car, which is where all their vital organs are. By contrast, the crash protection built into a car, such as airbags and crumple zones is much lower so won’t be much help in such an event.
Underride guards
Rear underride guards are mandatory on trailers towed by trucks. Recent legislation has raised the standard for them, too, but many vehicles will still be using ones that are less safe. As for side underride guards, the Department of Transport first said it intended to make these mandatory in the 1960s, but it is still entirely optional. Many truck owners prefer to save money by not fitting them, rather than saving lives in a potential crash by installing them.
Steps driver can take
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of ending up underneath a truck is to keep your distance from them where possible. The more space between them and you, the greater your safety margin. Don’t tailgate and don’t undertake. Remember, too, truckers have huge blind spots, so they may not know you are there. They also cannot make tight turns, so sometimes have to swing out across the road in the opposite direction to which they intend to turn putting anyone close alongside at risk.
If you or a loved one is injured, learning how to claim compensation won’t undo what happened, but it may help with the resultant costs.