Poor Guard Standards May Cause Truck Accident Deaths

New crash tests results conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that tractor-trailer standards for “underride” guards are lagging behind car safety standards.

According to an article on ConsumerAffairs.com, a slow-speed crash involving a passenger vehicle rear-ending a truck can cause decapitation to passengers.

Rear guards on tractor-trailers are the main precaution taken to prevent underride deaths and injuries to occupants in passenger vehicles involved in rear-end crashes with trucks. However, the U.S. standards for underride guards have not been staying up-to-date with car safety standards, making death or serious injury more likely to occupants in passenger vehicles involved in a truck accident. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, our truck accidents lawyers may be able to help you.

“Cars’ front-end structures are designed to manage a tremendous amount of crash energy in a way that minimizes injuries for their occupants,” said Adrian Lund, Institute president. “Hitting the back of a large truck is a game changer. You might be riding in a vehicle that earns top marks in frontal crash tests, but if the truck’s underride guard fails — or isn’t there at all — your chances of walking away from even a relatively low-speed crash aren’t good,” the article said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 423 people die and 5,000 are injured annually in rear-end truck accidents. In New York there were 11,100 large truck accidents in 2009 according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Of these,103 people were killed, 63 of whom were not truck drivers.

The IIHS blames the tractor-trailer standards, saying that they haven’t updated underride regulations as frequently as car safety standards. Currently, the guards, trailer, bolts and welding don’t have to be tested together. The IIHS recommends manufacturers test their underride guard as a whole.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, you have valuable legal rights. Truck Accidents Law Firm has offices in New York and Florida. Let one of our Tampa truck accident attorneys or New York truck accident attorneys help you file your claim. Please fill out our online form or call 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer at our firm.