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Speak With a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer After an Underride Crash
Underride truck accidents are among the most catastrophic and deadly collisions on Arizona roadways. These crashes occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a large commercial truck, often resulting in devastating injuries or fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride accident, working with an experienced underride truck accident lawyer in Phoenix is essential to protecting your rights and pursuing maximum compensation.
Farar & Lewis offers free consultations to underride accident victims throughout Phoenix. Our legal team understands the severe nature of these cases and is prepared to hold negligent parties fully accountable.
Call us today to speak with someone immediately about your case at (602) 883-2633.
What Is an Underride Truck Accident?
An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a large commercial truck and becomes trapped underneath the trailer. Because a truck’s trailer sits much higher than a passenger vehicle, the car’s safety features—such as airbags and crumple zones—often fail to protect occupants.
Underride crashes commonly involve:
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Rear underride accidents
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Side underride accidents
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Nighttime or low-visibility collisions
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Multi-vehicle pileups on highways
These accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
Why Underride Accidents Are So Dangerous
Underride accidents are particularly deadly because the trailer can intrude directly into the passenger compartment. Victims often suffer head and upper-body trauma that seat belts and airbags cannot prevent.
Factors that increase underride risk include:
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Lack of adequate underride guards
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Poor trailer visibility
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Insufficient lighting or reflective markings
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Sudden stops by large trucks
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Unsafe lane changes
Despite known risks, many trailers still lack effective underride protection.
Common Causes of Underride Truck Accidents
Underride accidents often result from negligence by truck drivers, trucking companies, or manufacturers. Common causes include:
Inadequate Underride Guards
Some trailers are equipped with weak or outdated rear guards that fail during collisions, allowing vehicles to slide underneath.
Poor Visibility
Improper lighting, missing reflective tape, or unlit trailers at night can make trucks difficult to see.
Unsafe Driving Maneuvers
Sudden stops, abrupt lane changes, or illegal turns by truck drivers can leave passenger vehicles with no time to react.
Speeding and Following Too Closely
High speeds and short following distances increase the severity of underride collisions.
Who May Be Liable in an Underride Accident?
Underride accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. Depending on the facts, liability may extend to:
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The truck driver
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The trucking company
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Trailer or underride guard manufacturers
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Maintenance providers
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Cargo loading companies
Arizona law allows injured victims to pursue claims against all responsible parties. An underride truck accident lawyer in Phoenix conducts a thorough investigation to identify every source of liability.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Underride Accidents
Due to the violent nature of underride crashes, injuries are often catastrophic or fatal. Survivors may suffer:
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
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Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
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Severe facial and head trauma
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Amputations
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Internal organ damage
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Permanent disfigurement
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Wrongful death injuries
These injuries frequently require lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and emotional support.
Federal Safety Regulations and Underride Protection
Commercial trucks are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Federal rules require rear underride guards on many trailers, but standards have been criticized as outdated and insufficient.
Key issues include:
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Weak guard strength requirements
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Lack of side underride guard mandates
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Poor enforcement of maintenance standards
Violations of safety regulations can provide powerful evidence in underride accident claims.
Compensation Available to Underride Accident Victims
Because underride accidents often result in life-altering injuries, compensation amounts may be significant.
Economic Damages
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Emergency medical treatment
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Hospitalization and surgeries
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Long-term medical care
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Rehabilitation and therapy
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Lost wages
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Loss of future earning capacity
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Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
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Pain and suffering
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Emotional distress
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Permanent disability or disfigurement
Punitive Damages
In cases involving extreme negligence or defective equipment, courts may award punitive damages to punish wrongdoing and deter future misconduct.
Why Trucking Companies and Manufacturers Defend Underride Claims Aggressively
Underride accident claims often involve substantial financial exposure. As a result, trucking companies and manufacturers frequently fight these cases aggressively.
Victims may encounter:
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Rapid response teams controlling evidence
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Disputes over equipment compliance
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Attempts to blame the injured driver
An experienced underride truck accident lawyer in Phoenix protects victims from these tactics and ensures critical evidence is preserved.
How Farar Law Group Handles Underride Accident Cases
At Farar Law Group, we understand the devastating impact underride accidents have on victims and families. Our legal team works with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and medical professionals to build strong, evidence-based cases.
We focus on:
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Preserving crash scene evidence
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Analyzing underride guard design and performance
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Identifying regulatory violations
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Holding all responsible parties accountable
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Aggressively negotiating or litigating for maximum compensation
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Arizona’s Statute of Limitations for Underride Accidents
In most cases, Arizona law requires personal injury or wrongful death claims to be filed within two years of the accident date. Complex cases involving manufacturers or out-of-state companies may involve additional legal considerations.
Early legal action helps preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Call Farar & Lewis After an Underride Truck Accident in Phoenix
If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride truck accident, you deserve experienced legal representation and full accountability from negligent parties.
Contact Farar & Lewis today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Phoenix accident lawyer. Let us fight for the compensation you need to move forward with confidence.
Call us today to speak with someone immediately about your case at (602) 883-2633.
Sources
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Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Underride Crashes
https://www.iihs.org -
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Underride Guard Research
https://www.nhtsa.gov -
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – Truck Safety Regulations
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov
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