Underride Crashes: The Worst Type of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Tampa

In November of 2024, a woman and her toddler suffered catastrophic injuries after slamming into the back of a tractor-trailer near Tampa. Traffic officials say that the woman’s vehicle sped toward a red light for unknown reasons before impacting the rear trailer. The impact was so intense that it sent the vehicle spinning off the side of the road. While the toddler survived, the mother did not. The driver of the tractor-trailer was completely unharmed. It was a textbook example of an “underride” accident – one of the worst types of Tampa truck accidents possible.

What Are Underride Accidents? 

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle (such as a sedan) slips underneath the rear trailer of a commercial truck. At high speed, the solid rear edge of the trailer slices into the top section of the sedan. As the sedan slides further underneath, the trailer causes severe damage to its roof – often shearing away the entire top section.

As a result of this damage, occupants inside are vulnerable to severe, catastrophic head injuries. In many cases, the victims are literally decapitated. It goes without saying that the chances of surviving an underride crash are quite slim.

Simple Safety Features Could Prevent Underride Crashes 

Various safety advocates have pointed out that underride crashes could be prevented with a relatively simple upgrade. An underride guard can be placed on the back of a semi-truck, preventing vehicles from sliding underneath. This looks just like a rear bumper, and installation costs are minimal.

However, these devices are not always reliable. The semi-truck the mother and her toddler slammed into had an underride guard. This doesn’t seem to have prevented extreme damage to the sedan, and images from the scene show its top section completely destroyed.

First responders say that the toddler survived with barely any injuries, while the mother’s demise seems to have been a foregone conclusion. This suggests that the child survived because they were not tall enough to be affected by the rear trailer. In contrast, the mother’s height caused her to suffer fatal injuries. This situation perfectly illustrates why underride crashes are so catastrophic, and how they seem to affect only the upper body and head area.

Is a Lawsuit Possible After Rear-Ending a Semi-Truck?

Generally speaking, a driver who slams into the back of a semi-truck is at fault. However, there are a few exceptions. If a semi-truck stops suddenly, cuts you off, or switches lanes unsafely, you may slam into the back of the trailer through no fault of your own. Semi-trucks parked or stopped illegally may also cause underride crashes.

Can a Truck Accident Lawyer in Tampa Help? 

If an underride accident has claimed the life of someone you know, a truck accident lawyer in Tampa may be able to help. A wrongful death lawsuit could be possible, and you may be able to pursue compensation through Florida’s no-fault system. Speak with Anderson & Anderson today to learn more about your legal options.

Sources: 

fox13news.com/news/mother-killed-toddler-hospitalized-after-crash-unincorporated-bartow-deputies-say

pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/underride-crash-truck-dangerous/