Underride and Override Truck Accidents

Choosing an Attorney for Your Underride/Override Accident

If you have been involved in an override crash or underride accident, you may wonder if legal representation is really necessary. After all, commercial drivers are held to strict standards and tend to have high insurance coverage limits. Many people think that they can trust the insurance company to give them a fair settlement after a truck accident.

Unfortunately, if you choose to accept what the insurance company offers, you’ll likely get far less than what you deserve. Insurance companies know that tractor-trailer accidents often cause severe injuries, fatalities, and financial devastation. Their goal is to get to you as quickly as possible and get you to settle for as little as they can. With the help of a truck accident attorney, you have a better chance of getting the compensation you truly deserve.

How Underride and Override Accidents Happen

The primary difference between override and underride truck accidents is whether the passenger vehicle is stuck underneath the front or back of the truck.

So what is an underride accident? An underride crash occurs when a passenger vehicle rides under the back of the truck ahead of them. Part or all of the passenger vehicle can get lodged underneath the truck, causing the passenger vehicle to get pulled and crushed by the truck.

What is an override accident and how does it occur? An override accident occurs when a truck driver does not stop in time and rides over a passenger vehicle. Depending on the speed of the truck and the size of the passenger vehicle, part or all of the smaller vehicle could get stuck in the underside of the truck. This situation makes it even more difficult for the truck to stop, putting passengers in further danger.

Causes of Override and Underride Accidents

Many people wonder about liability and negligence in under/override accidents. In some cases, an accident may be caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle. If a driver is not paying attention and crashes into the back of a tractor-trailer, they may cause an underride crash. This is a serious risk when drivers are texting or are otherwise distracted. Similarly, if a driver swerves in front of a commercial truck and doesn’t leave them enough space to stop, they could be liable for an override accident.

However, there are many circumstances in which a truck driver may be liable for the damage caused in an override or underride accident. Examples include:

• Truck driver following vehicle ahead of them too closely
• Driving too fast for weather conditions, particularly in snow, rain, or fog
• Truck driver changing lanes without checking for other vehicles
• Mechanical problems that could have been detected by a truck inspection
• Missing brake lights, tail lights, reflective tape, or underride guards
• Ignoring safety procedures, such as checking for other vehicles before backing up or parking on the shoulder of the road without using hazard lights

Working With Trucking Companies and Insurance Providers After an Accident

As you start the process of recovering from a serious truck crash, know that the other party’s insurance company is not on your side. In fact, they will do anything they can to limit their own liability and put part or all of the blame on you.

When a crash occurs, the other party’s insurance company may send insurance adjusters and lawyers to the scene of the crash to begin gathering evidence. You need an advocate on your side. Any evidence the other side gathers will either be used to implicate you in the accident or will be ignored. You cannot hope for a fair offer from an insurance adjuster whose only goal is to protect their company from a lawsuit.

The sooner you reach out to an attorney after a truck accident, the sooner you can protect yourself from aggressive insurance companies interested in having you sign off on a lowball settlement. There is lots of evidence available after a truck crash, and you need to move quickly to preserve it.

Seeking Compensation for an Underride or Override Crash

Victims of a truck crash may be entitled to damages. Much depends on the specific details of your accident, but in general, you may be able to ask for compensation for:

• Medical bills, emergency medical transportation, medical equipment, and surgical expenses
• Lost wages and impaired earning ability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and physical impairment

Attorney Alex Begum will be able to investigate the accident, determine liability, and fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve. They know how insurance companies try to cheat victims and they know how to protect you from these underhanded tricks. Most cases are settled out of court, allowing you to get closure quickly and start the process of moving on.