Los Angeles Underride Accident Lawyer

An underride accident happens when a car slides under the rear or side of a truck trailer or large truck body. These crashes can be catastrophic because the impact can bypass a car’s normal crash protection zones.

Common causes include poor trailer visibility at night, inadequate reflective markings, sudden truck stops in traffic, unsafe lane changes, wide turns, missing or ineffective underride guards, and negligent maintenance. Many cases involve a combination of driver decisions and equipment safety failures.

An underride guard is a protective barrier on the rear of many trailers designed to reduce the chance of a passenger vehicle sliding underneath. If the guard is missing, damaged, poorly maintained, or fails in a crash, it can be a major factor in liability.

Liability can extend beyond the truck driver. Depending on the facts, the trucking company, trailer owner, maintenance contractor, shipper/loader, or equipment manufacturer may share responsibility.

Proof often comes from crash reconstruction, black box and telematics data, maintenance and inspection records, trailer specifications, underride guard condition, and evidence of lighting or reflective marking compliance. Preserving the truck and trailer in their post-crash condition is critical.

Nighttime underride cases often focus on visibility issues, including trailer lighting, reflective tape, lane position, and whether the truck made unsafe movements in traffic. Video and witness evidence can be especially important in Los Angeles freeway crashes.

Many California personal injury cases are generally subject to a two-year deadline, but exceptions can apply. If a government entity is involved, deadlines may be much shorter. Speaking with an attorney quickly helps protect both evidence and legal rights.

Get medical care immediately, report the crash, document the scene if possible, and collect witness information. Avoid recorded statements to trucking insurers before you get legal guidance. Time-sensitive evidence like telematics data and vehicle condition should be preserved right away.