Collisions happen every day on the road. Some are minor, while others result in extensive damage, injuries or even deaths. Truck accidents can be particularly catastrophic, even the size of the vehicles. In 2019, around 510,000 crashes involving large trucks were reported to police. Some of these are known as underride and override truck accidents. Here is what you should know about them.

What Are Underride Truck Accidents?

An underride truck crash occurs when a car rear-ends a truck and slides underneath it. The most common causes are speeding and tailgating on the part of the car driver, broken tail lights on the truck, lack of lights or reflective tape on the back, absent underride guards, a sudden lane change or back-up without proper signaling. 

These types of collisions are, at the least, very harmful to the car's driver and front-seat passenger and often fatal, even if the car has airbags or other safety features. The passengers may suffer severe head injuries, spinal cord damage or, in the worse-case scenario, death by decapitation. 

What Are Override Truck Accidents?

An override collision is similar to an underride, but with a few key differences. It typically takes place when a truck driver rear-ends a car and partially or completely drives over it. Sometimes, the truck drags the car for a short distance before stopping, which can rupture the gasoline tank and ignite a fire. Like an underride crash, an override can be extremely hazardous to the car's passengers and other motorists on the road. 

Override truck accidents may be caused by negligent actions on the part of the truck driver, such as tailgating, speeding, failing to yield or abruptly changing flanges without signaling. They may also arise due to mechanical problems, such as faulty brakes or a tire blowout. Additionally, low visibility and poor weather conditions may also play a factor. 

If you or loved ones have been involved in truck accidents, trust the skilled attorneys at Reed & Terry LLP to help. The firm provides reliable legal counsel and representation to clients in Sugar Land, TX and throughout  Harris and Fort Bend counties. Lead attorneys Travis Terry and Jackson Reed have more than 50 years of combined experience in civil litigation. They, along with the rest of the team, bring deep expertise in cases such as car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, workplace injuries and more. Call (281) 491-5000 to schedule a free consultation or visit their website for more information.