St. Louis Truck Underride Accident Lawyers
Truck underride accidents are among the most severe types of motor vehicle collisions. They occur when a passenger vehicle strikes the rear or side of a commercial truck and becomes lodged beneath the trailer. Because of the significant difference in vehicle height, underride collisions frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Survivors often face long-term impacts or permanent disability.
An experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney in St. Louis at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien works to pursue compensation for the full scope of your damages and losses. Medical bills and ongoing care costs can be astronomical, and many victims are unable to return to work and often endure significant pain and suffering that affects nearly every aspect of their lives. Our law firm has helped injured people in Missouri for over 40 years. See our case results here.
Understanding Truck Underride Accidents
As noted, truck underride accidents generally occur in two forms: rear and side underrides. Rear underrides happen when a smaller vehicle strikes the back of a truck. For example, a rear underride may occur if a tractor-trailer stops abruptly and lacks a properly functioning underride guard, allowing a passenger vehicle to become wedged beneath the trailer. In contrast, side underrides typically occur during turns, lane changes, or at intersections when a car becomes wedged beneath the trailer.
Rear underride guards are federally required and are designed to reduce the severity of rear-end collisions. However, most trailers are not required to have side underride guards. Federal law does require reflective tape along the lower sides and rear of trailers to improve visibility, but these measures do not eliminate the risk.
High Risk Areas for Truck Underride Accidents in St. Louis
Underride accidents tend to occur on busy highways with intersections and stop-and-go traffic. In St. Louis, such accidents are more likely to happen in the following locations:
Downtown and Riverfront Interstate Complex
The I-44 / I-55 corridor near the downtown exits is especially dangerous. The congestion, short weaving, and lots of lane changes contribute to the possibility of a truck underride.
Major Freight Belt Routes
The segment of I-270 North between I-70 and Route H (Hall Street/Riverview Drive) is designated by MoDOT as a primary freight route and part of the National Highway Freight / Strategic Highway network. The high volume of trucks, combined with merging and traffic slowdowns, increases the risk of serious crashes, including underride collisions.
Truck-heavy Surface and Industrial Approaches
The Route H / Hall Street / Riverview Drive corridor, which functions as an industrial connector with heavy truck movements to and from interstates, serves North St. Louis and North County. Again, it contains high volumes of truck traffic with significant conflict points.
Truck Accident Liability
A St. Louis underride accident attorney thoroughly investigates the facts of the case to identify all parties with potential truck accident liability.
Depending on the circumstances, at-fault parties may include:
- Truck driver: If the driver acted negligently, such as by speeding, following too closely, driving while fatigued, or failing to check blind spots, they may be held personally responsible for the collision.
- Trucking company: The company may be held responsible for the driver’s negligence if the driver was acting within the scope of employment, and it may also be liable for its own negligent hiring, training, supervision, or safety practices.
- Manufacturers: If a defective truck component, such as faulty brakes, an improperly designed underride guard, or a steering system failure, contributed to the crash or increased the severity of the injuries, the manufacturer or distributor may be held liable.
- Third-party vehicles: Other motorists whose actions contributed to the crash, such as by making unsafe lane changes or sudden stops, may also share responsibility.
Federal Regulations
Truck accident safety regulations, primarily enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), govern many aspects of commercial trucking operations.
These regulations limit the number of hours drivers may operate a commercial vehicle, require regular vehicle inspections and maintenance, and mandate compliance with safety standards designed to reduce roadway risks. Truck drivers must inspect their vehicles before trips and document their driving time through electronic logging devices in accordance with FMCSA rules.
In investigating a crash, your attorney may review electronic log data, inspection and maintenance records, and the driver’s employment and safety history to determine whether any violations of truck accident safety regulations contributed to the collision. When appropriate, accident reconstruction experts may also be retained to analyze physical evidence, electronic data, and vehicle dynamics to better understand how the crash occurred.
Contact a St. Louis Truck Underride Attorney
A truck accident lawsuit in Missouri must be filed within five years of the accident, as per Missouri’s statute of limitations. However, it is critical to contact a St. Louis underride accident lawyer as soon as possible. Waiting too long can mean valuable evidence disappears.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Since we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you receive compensation. We serve all of St. Louis County.
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