Truck Underride Accidents in Buffalo
Truck underride accidents are among the most catastrophic types of vehicle accidents that can occur on roadways. These types of accidents—where a smaller vehicle slides under a larger one, typically a semi- or tractor-trailer truck—often cause severe injuries and even fatalities, and they can be extremely traumatic for surviving passengers.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck underride accident in Buffalo, New York, our team at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can help. Our professional truck accident lawyers have years of experience helping our clients with truck underride accident cases in Buffalo. We’ll fight to get the compensation you deserve because we understand what you’re going through.
What To Know About Truck Underride Accidents in Buffalo
As the number of hours truck drivers spend on the road increases, the likelihood of being involved in an accident also goes up. The statistics bear this out: the number of large truck accident deaths grew by 2% from 2021 to 2022, with nearly 6,000 people in the United States being killed. The number of injuries caused by accidents involving large trucks also grew by 3.9%, reaching 161,000.
People driving sedans and sports cars are at the highest risk of serious injury or death from an underride accident. However, because of the massive size and weight of a semi-truck, any vehicle is at risk.
If you collide with a large truck, your vehicle can become wedged or pinned under the trailer of the truck. It could also slide under the rear or side of the truck because of the space underneath. Although the Department of Transportation requires trucks to have a rear safety bar or underride guard, these are not always adequate for preventing underride accidents.
Unfortunately, at this time, there’s no legal requirement for trucks to have side guards that could prevent vehicles from sliding under them. This means that hitting a large truck from the side is extremely dangerous and often results in some of the worst damage possible from a truck-involved accident. Thus, if you’ve been involved in an underride accident, the financial burden is likely very high and securing legal help should be your top priority.
Catastrophic Injuries From Truck Underride Accidents
Truck underride accidents are likely to result in catastrophic injuries for the driver and passengers riding in the smaller vehicle. A truck driver may not even realize an underride accident has occurred because of the size of their rig. If you’re involved in a truck underride accident, you may experience some of these injuries:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Severe lacerations and amputations
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Fatality
After being involved in a car accident of any kind, it’s vital that you seek medical attention immediately. Not only is this step important for your wellbeing and the treatment of your injuries, it can also generate documentation and important evidence—necessary elements for a successful truck accident injury case.
Was Negligence Responsible for Your Truck Underride Accident?
Responsibility for your truck underride accident could fall on someone other than you if negligence was a factor. The parties that may be held liable for your injuries or the wrongful death or fatality of your loved one can include:
- Truck Drivers: Inattentive or distracted truck drivers can cause serious harm to other drivers on the road. This is one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents in Buffalo.
- Trucking Companies: Trucking companies can be responsible for underride accidents for several reasons, including improper driver training, poor truck maintenance, or failure to adhere to safety protocols and regulations.
- Other Motorists: Another motorist could be the responsible party if their actions caused you to collide with a truck.
- Truck Maintenance Companies: If a truck maintenance company fails in its duties to maintain the truck, it could be the at-fault party for your accident.
- Parts Manufacturers: In the case of defective underride guards or other safety equipment, parts manufacturers may be the culprit behind your truck underride accident.
Our lawyers will investigate every one of these possible angles for your case. We have experience working with law enforcement, fighting stubborn insurance companies, procuring witness accounts and expert testimonies, and leveraging our sterling reputation and skill to help ensure you get justice and peace of mind. If you think any of these above parties caused or partially caused your accident due to their negligence, reach out and speak to our lawyers today.
Getting Compensation for Your Truck Accident Injuries
Underride truck accidents can incur massive costs, because the destructive potential of these kinds of accidents can leave broken lives in its wake. And we believe you shouldn’t have to shoulder these costs alone if someone else was at fault for your injuries. The costs can include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, ongoing treatments, and medications
- Assistive devices and prosthetics
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Long-term care costs and future assistance
Our Buffalo Truck Underride Accident Lawyers Can Assist
Our truck underride accident lawyers at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law have extensive experience with big rig accidents and special cases such as these. We understand what it takes to deliver successful results, and we’re willing to take on large trucking companies and their insurers on your behalf. While we can settle most cases without having to go to court, we can take your case as far as necessary to get your fair compensation.
Our team gathers evidence to support your case and calculate your possible damages. We also file the necessary paperwork, speak with insurance companies, and communicate with you throughout the process. Most importantly, we handle most cases under a no-fee guarantee, meaning you don’t have to worry about a fee unless we’re successful. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Contact Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck underride accident, you need representation. Contact us at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law today for a free consultation regarding your case.
Our team of truck accident lawyers will assess your situation and provide the guidance you need to move forward. We’re proud to serve clients in the Amherst, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, West Seneca, Rochester, Chicago, and Southfield areas of Michigan. You deserve to have someone fighting on your side, so get in touch.