North Miami truck accidents tend to be devastating, especially when they involve the collision of a larger commercial truck and a smaller passenger vehicle. There are many types of truck accidents, including rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, side-swipe accidents and many others. One of the most devastating types of North Miami traffic accidents, however, is the underride accident. This occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a larger commercial truck. There are many reasons why this happens. It can occur because a car does not stop in time when following behind a truck. It can also occur when a vehicle switches lanes and an error causes the smaller vehicle to end up under the trailer. There are many situations that can lead to this type of accident:
1) Following too closely behind a truck. A common reason for many underride accidents is driver inattention and lack of adequate space. Commercial trucks may take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, but they are also more likely to make unexpected stops. A driver who is following too closely behind a truck and is not paying attention is likely to be in a North Miami car accident if the truck stops suddenly.
2) Incorrect lane changes. If a truck or passenger vehicle change lanes suddenly, without due warning and without checking blind spots, an underride accident can occur quite easily.
3) Failing to see the truck in time. While it seems unlikely that a driver would fail to see a large tractor trailer, it happens all the time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver expectation is the key reason behind many of these accidents. Quite simply, the driver perceives the truck as moving when it is still or believes that the truck is further than it is, and this causes a collision. Poor visibility, poor lighting on a truck, and a truck pulled over in an emergency lane can all create this type of confusion.
4) Road conditions. Slick roads or poor road construction can make it harder for a smaller vehicle to stop when needed, and this can mean that a vehicle is propelled towards and under a truck in front of them. Speeding can contribute to the problem and can make this type of accident even more likely.
No matter how underride accidents occur, this type of North Miami car accident is always devastating. There is a high fatality rate for this type of accident, as the car under the truck will almost always be severely damaged, causing severe injuries to those inside. The top of the passenger car involved in an underride accident will often be crushed or partially sliced off. Passengers in the car are likely to suffer severe North Miami head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-threatening injuries. Removing the victims can be extremely difficult for emergency responders and can cause further injury to the passengers trapped inside the car.
If you have been injured in a North Miami truck accident or underride accident, contact the Flaxman Law Group to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss your case. The compassionate legal team at the Flaxman Law Group has decades of experience successfully working with personal injury victims, so put their experience to work for you today.