Underride incidents, among the most devastating automotive crashes, happen to be entirely preventable. These crashes occur when a smaller vehicle, usually a passenger car, slides under the side or rear of a large truck. The top of the smaller vehicle is often crushed or sheared off. Hence, it causes severe head and neck injuries and, in most cases, catastrophic harm or death.
Moreover, underride collisions have been a persistent issue in the United States. The NHTSA reports 10,050 rear underride incidents and 14,350 deaths, averaging 287 deaths yearly.
It’s a regrettable truth that safety measures are not consistently enforced despite viable solutions, leading to tragic outcomes. This blog post explores the ongoing issue of underride accidents fueled by corporations exploiting loopholes in safety regulations.
Understanding Underride Accidents
When a car strikes a truck or trailer, it may slip under its body. This is known as an underride accident. Although side underride incidents are frequent, rear-end collisions are the most typical cause of these accidents, explains PBS.
The car’s roof and windscreen provide minimal protection from the underbelly of a caravan. Therefore, in both situations, the accident’s severity grows dramatically.
Underride collision victims frequently have terrible injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, severe brain injuries, or even death. For many years, proponents and safety experts have advocated for stricter laws requiring underride protection on all vehicles. However, due to the sluggish pace of improvement, millions of cars are still operating without the necessary safety precautions.
The Tragic Case of Taron Tailor and Nicholas Perkins
St. Louis serves as a key hub for the nation’s cargo and freight movement, highlighting the region’s importance in transportation. Given this significance, it’s no surprise that trucking-related jobs account for 1 in 17 jobs in Missouri, per TorHoerman Law. The commercial logistics industry brings significant business and employment opportunities to St. Louis. Despite this fact, it also results in the city’s highways being heavily trafficked by semi-trucks.
A tragedy had unfolded a few years ago on Interstate 44 and 55 in St. Louis, which recently went to trial. KSDK reports a car carrying 30-year-old Taron Tailor and 23-year-old Nicholas Perkins collided with a Wabash trailer’s rear. The impact caused Tailor’s and Perkin’s vehicle to go underneath the trailer, instantly killing both men. Tragically, the rear impact guard on the trailer failed to prevent the underride crash, tearing off upon impact.
Safety Negligence and a Massive Legal Backlash
Despite decades of research emphasizing stronger rear impact guards (RIGs), Wabash National Corporation continued installing subpar guards, compromising safety.
These were designed to withstand impacts of only 30 miles per hour or less. This decision, driven by cost-cutting measures, saved the company approximately $15 million annually. The jury determined this tragedy could have been avoided with simple, affordable improvements to Wabash’s trailer RIGs. Enhancing these RIGs would have cost only $313 per trailer.
Due to Wabash National Corporation’s negligence, a St. Louis jury awarded $462 million to Taron Tailor and Nicholas Perkins’ families. Of this amount, $450 million represented punitive damages. It reflects the jury’s strong condemnation of Wabash’s disregard for safety and the avoidable loss of two lives.
This case serves as a beacon of hope for victims of trucking accidents. The scene demonstrates that justice can prevail even when powerful corporations disregard safety. A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can be a guiding light for victims navigating legal battles and fighting for rights. By holding negligent companies accountable, they can transform tragedies into meaningful change, prioritizing road safety for all.
Current Safety Regulations and Loopholes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandates safety features to mitigate the impact of accidents involving large trucks and trailers. One such feature is the RIG, designed to prevent rear underride crashes.
RIGs are metal bars on trucks intended to stop cars from going beneath the trailer during a collision. Their effectiveness is influenced by factors such as material, strength, and design. While RIGs are mandatory, Fleet Maintainance notes that their strength and design are not consistently updated.
They are not aligned with contemporary driving speeds. Critics argue that the current standards are outdated because they are based on low collision speeds of 35 miles/hour.
In addition to RIGs, side underride guards play a crucial role in preventing side-impact collisions. Unfortunately, despite their clear benefits, there are no federal requirements for side underride guards mandating these nationwide. Side guards are safety devices that stop vehicles from sliding under a trailer’s slide during a side-impact collision. These are particularly important in urban areas and places where vehicles may attempt to pass large trucks in narrow lanes.
FAQs
How do rear guards help prevent crashes?
In a rear-end accident, RIGs, or metal bars, are attached to the back of trailers. This prevents a car from sliding underneath it. They disperse the collision forces and absorb impact, lessening injuries. However, not all RIGs are equally effective. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced the “TOUGHGUARD” standard to ensure rear guards can withstand impacts in full-width and partial-overlap crashes.
Are side guards mandatory in the US?
No, while they are necessary in many other nations, side guards are unnecessary in all states, including the United States. In the case of an accident, they help prevent cars from sliding under the sides of trailers. These guards have been shown to significantly reduce fatalities and severe injuries in side-impact crashes, especially involving cyclists and pedestrians.
Why won’t trucking companies install more powerful RIGs?
Cost concerns prevent some firms from installing more robust RIGs. However, retrofitting trailers with safety guards is relatively inexpensive, considering the lives that could be saved. Additionally, these enhanced safety features can add weight to trucks, which decreases the payload capacity.
The tragic case of Taron Tailor and Nicholas Perkins illuminates the dire outcomes when corporations neglect to prioritize safety measures. Technological advancements and extensive research have provided the means to significantly reduce underride crashes.
However, the responsibility does not solely lie with manufacturers and legislative bodies. Citizens play an indispensable role. They need to advocate for enhanced regulations and more effective safety features on trucks and trailers. Through collective efforts, we possess the ability to preserve hundreds of lives.
