Underride crashes happen when a smaller vehicle slides through the gaps between a large truck’s wheels and ends up underneath it. Because of the disparity in size and the point of impact, drivers and passengers inside the smaller vehicles are likely to sustain serious injuries or fatalities.
Over the years, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set and updated regulations to reduce underride accidents, but concerns remain about their effectiveness.
What are the current regulations for underride guards?
Underride accidents typically occur at the rear or sides of trucks. By law, trailers and semitrailers must have rear impact guards, but there is no requirement for side underride guards. Despite these rules, underride accidents continue to pose a significant threat, causing hundreds of deaths and injuries each year, including in Indiana.
Truck safety advocates and accident victims have long urged the NHTSA to mandate stronger rear impact guards. In 2022, the agency introduced a new rule requiring guards capable of withstanding impacts at speeds up to 35 mph, whether the crash involves the center or a 50% overlap with the trailer’s rear.
However, several safety coalitions argue that the new rules are inadequate and have petitioned the agency to revisit its standards. The NHTSA, however, upheld its rule and denied the petition in 2024.
Although stronger rear impact guards and mandated side underride guards could greatly reduce incidents, such regulations may take time to implement.
Seeking justice after an underride accident
While there’s a push for more robust safety regulations, it may take time before they are updated again. For now, Indiana residents must remain extra vigilant around trailers and semi-trucks.
It is also important to recognize that underride accidents are not always the fault of the smaller vehicle’s driver. These collisions sometimes happen due to truck driver distraction or a trucking company’s failure to install required underride guards, maintain their vehicles or other forms of negligence.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, consider consulting with a personal injury attorney. They can help determine whether you are eligible for compensation, which may help ease the financial burden this type of accident can leave behind.
