Houston Underride/Override Accident Lawyer

The occupants of smaller passenger vehicles have little chance of escaping an accident with a tractor-trailer unscathed. Of all types of commercial truck accidents, those that involve underrides and overrides are some of the worst. Underride and override accidents are far more common than people think and when they occur, the driver and passengers in smaller vehicles will sustain very serious injuries. In some instances, they may not survive. A Houston underride/override accidents lawyer can help families claim the compensation they need after these severe accidents.

What are Underride and Override Accidents?

Underride accidents occur when a small passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck. Conversely, override accidents occur when a truck drives over a smaller vehicle. In either type of crash, the smaller vehicle ends up underneath the truck’s trailer, which causes very serious and fatal injuries. Due to the fact that these accidents are so traumatic, people think they are uncommon. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over half of the crashes involving commercial trucks every year are underride and override accidents.

What Causes Override Accidents?

Override accidents are usually caused by truck drivers not being able to stop their vehicle in time, resulting in them running over a small vehicle in front of the truck. Truck driver negligence and mechanical failure are usually to blame for this type of situation. The scenarios that could cause an override accident are as follows:

• Truck drivers follow other vehicles too closely
• Low visibility due to fog or rain that make it difficult to see a vehicle in front of a truck
• Truck drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to other drivers
• Truck drivers who speed and cannot stop in time
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots or signaling
• Tire blowouts on the truck
• Truck brake failure
• Other mechanical issues
• A lack of override guards

What Causes Underride Accidents?

Underride accidents sometimes happen because other drivers follow trucks too closely, or because poor visibility prevented a driver from seeing a truck in time. However, truck driver negligence is also often responsible for underride accidents. This negligence can take many forms, including:

• The taillights on the truck were broken
• The trailer did not have the appropriate reflective tape
• The trailer was not fitted with the proper underride guards
• The truck driver did not signal while changing lanes
• The truck was parked on the side of the road without the appropriate lights
• The truck driver backed up, without first checking for other vehicles

Our Underride/Override Accidents Lawyers in Houston Can Determine what Caused Your Crash

It is important to determine what caused your crash so you know which party to hold liable. At Gilde Law Firm, our Houston underride/override accidents lawyers will conduct an investigation and collect evidence to determine who was at fault. We will then fight for your rights and hold them fully accountable for paying the maximum damages you deserve. Call us today at 800-973-3106 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.