When a smaller vehicle hits the back or side of a big commercial truck, the results are devastating. In some of the worst truck crashes, the car actually slides under the trailer of the truck. These are called underride crashes and they are the deadliest type of crash on the road.
For victims and their families, the aftermath of an underride accident is traumatic, confusing and overwhelming. These cases are not only emotionally heavy but also legally complex. That’s why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer is key.
At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, we’ve been helping victims of catastrophic truck accidents across Southern California for decades. Here’s how our team handles the unique challenges of underride crash cases and how we fight to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
The Deadliness of Trucking Underride Crashes
Underride crashes happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the back or side of a big truck or trailer. These crashes occur when:
- A truck stops suddenly and a car hits it from behind
- A truck merges or turns across traffic
- A poorly lit or parked truck is hit at night
In many cases, the roof of the smaller vehicle is crushed or sheared off entirely, resulting in catastrophic injuries or instant death.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), underride crashes account for almost 20% of all fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and passenger vehicles. That’s a staggering statistic, considering many of these accidents are preventable with proper truck safety equipment and driver attention.
Why Underride Crashes Are So Legally Complex
Unlike a fender bender or even a standard truck accident, underride crashes are legally complicated. That’s because multiple factors are at play and establishing fault requires deep investigation and industry knowledge.
Here are just a few of the complications a truck accident attorney must navigate:
1. Multiple Parties Liable
An underride crash may not be caused by driver negligence alone. Other parties may be liable:
- The trucking company for not installing or maintaining proper underride guards
- A manufacturer if guardrails or truck components were defective
- A maintenance provider if brakes or lighting systems failed
Unraveling the web of responsibility requires a legal team that knows where to look and how to prove negligence.
2. Federal Regulation Involvement
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have regulations regarding underride guards. But not all trucks meet these standards, especially older or poorly maintained ones.
If a truck was not equipped with proper underride protection or had faulty guards, that may be a big point of liability, but only if your lawyer knows how to find and present that evidence.
3. High-Stakes Insurance Disputes
Truck companies and their insurers will fiercely defend underride crash claims. Because the injuries are often fatal or life-altering, the financial stakes are high. Insurers will try to shift blame or downplay the extent of your damages.
Without an experienced Southern California truck accident lawyer, victims and families will get far less than they deserve or worse, nothing at all.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Build a Strong Underride Crash Case
At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, we follow a strategic, evidence-based approach to every underride case. Here’s how we work for you:
1. Investigating the Scene
Time is of the essence. We deploy investigators and experts to:
- Preserve crash scene evidence
- Inspect the involved vehicles
- Retrieve dashcam and black box data
- Identify missing or damaged underride guards
We also work with accident reconstructionists to determine how the crash occurred and if it could have been prevented with proper safety measures.
2. Gathering Expert Testimony
Underride accidents require testimony from:
- Engineering experts to explain underride guard failures
- Medical experts to assess long-term care needs
- Truck industry experts to speak on compliance with safety regulations
We bring in the best to cover every angle.
3. Calculating Full Damages
Many victims suffer life-changing injuries like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe orthopedic injuries
- Amputations
- Disfigurement
Others tragically lose their lives, leaving families to pursue wrongful death claims.
Our attorneys work closely with doctors, life care planners and economists to calculate the true impact of the crash physically, emotionally and financially.
Why Time Is Not On Your Side
In underride accident cases, every day matters. Physical damage to a truck or electronic driving logs can be lost, destroyed or altered.
California has a statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims:
- 2 years from the date of injury or death
- Shorter time frames for claims involving government entities (e.g., municipal trucks)
If you wait, you may lose your right to file altogether. That’s why you need to talk to a truck accident lawyer now.
Compensation for Underride Crash Victims
Whether you’re filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit, you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehab, future treatments)
- Lost wages and diminished future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (for spouses or partners)
- Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)
Every case is unique and your compensation will depend on the facts of your case, your injuries and the degree of the truck company’s negligence.
Our Experience with Underride and Truck Crash Claims
With over 40 years of experience in Southern California, Steinberg Injury Lawyers has handled thousands of personal injury cases, many involving large trucks and resulting in catastrophic injuries.
We’re client-first:
- Free consultations: No pressure, no obligation.
- No upfront fees: You don’t pay unless we win.
- Help with medical treatment: We connect you with providers so you can focus on healing.
- Aggressive advocacy: We don’t back down from powerful trucking companies or insurers.
In 2022, 4,764 people lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks in the U.S. and 66% of those fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles (IIHS).
These are not small numbers. They reflect a real crisis on our highways and why you need the right legal representation.
What a Real Case Might Look Like
Let’s say a woman driving home from work at night crashes into a tractor-trailer parked on the shoulder of a freeway. The truck’s lights weren’t functioning and its underride guard had been removed during a recent repair. Her car is crushed beneath the trailer and she suffers brain trauma and multiple fractures.In this case, a truck accident attorney would:
- Prove the truck was parked improperly and not visible
- Show the missing guard would have prevented the underride
- Sue the trucking company and possibly the repair shop
- Get her full compensation for medical bills, future care, lost wages and pain
That’s what having an experienced team behind you.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Steinberg Injury Lawyers Today
Underride crashes are brutal and often preventable. But when they happen you deserve answers, accountability and compensation. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, we will stand up for you and fight for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an underride crash involving a truck, don’t wait.
Call Steinberg Injury Lawyers today or schedule a free consultation. Let a truck accident attorney take the burden off your shoulders so you can heal.
