Free Case Evaluation
Cherry Hill Underride Accident Lawyers
Our Cherry Hill underride accident attorneys hold truck companies accountable for failing to install life-saving guards
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill underride accident lawyers understand why truck accidents happen in New Jersey and who is responsible. We also understand the federal rules that regulate installing rear-truck guards. Installing rear, side, and front guards can save lives. The cost is not that high. Trucking drivers are liable for the trucking accidents they cause. Trucking companies may be liable for failing to install or maintain truck guards. Our truck accident lawyers file personal injury claims for underride accident victims who suffer serious injuries. We file wrongful death claims when a loved one dies in a truck accident in Cherry Hill.
Free Case Evaluation
How can we help?
- How deadly are truck underride crashes in Cherry Hill?
- What are the different types of truck underride accidents?
- What regulations govern the use of truck underride guards?
- Why do truck underride accidents occur in Cherry Hill?
- What types of injuries do victims of Cherry Hill truck accidents suffer?
- Do you have a Cherry Hill truck underride accident lawyer near me?
How deadly are truck underride crashes in Cherry Hill?
Between 1995 and 2015, the most recent data available, 47 people were killed in truck underride accidents in New Jersey. Twenty-two of the deaths occurred in the rear of the truck. Sixteen deaths were on the right or left side. Eight fatal underride accidents occurred on the front of the truck.
What are the different types of truck underride accidents?
There are three types of truck underride accidents between a car and a truck (or a motorcycle and a truck) that can occur:
- Rear underride accident. This is generally the most common type of truck underride accident. Rear underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle strikes a larger truck in the rear and slides partially or fully under the truck – crushing the car and causing catastrophic injuries or deaths. The roof of the car may be completely torn off.
- Side underride accident. This type of accident usually occurs when a car or truck is turning at an intersection. The front of the car slides under the side of the truck.
- Front underride accident. This type of accident is usually caused by the truck driver’s negligence. The accident occurs when the truck strikes the rear of the car and the truck then continues to shear off the roof of the car. This is also referred to as an “override” collision.
What regulations govern the use of truck underride guards?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently requires that tractor-trailers have rear impact guards that comply with specific federal standards. The requirements are mandated because the rear impact guard, when a car and a tractor-trailer collide in the rear of the trailer, prevents the car from sliding too far under the bed and chassis of the truck.
There are two NTHSA rules (enacted in 1996) for rear impact guards - FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) Nos. 223 and 224. These rules “ensure a rear impact guard is configured low and wide to impede a striking passenger vehicle, is strong enough to withstand a 48 km/h (30 mph) impact of the colliding vehicle, and has energy-absorbing capability to further mitigate harm to occupants in the striking vehicle.” Among other criteria, rear-impact truck guards also need to be installed at the proper height.
The two Rules, 223 and 224, should work together with FMVSS Rule 208, which requires that cars have airbags and seatbelts that can help protect the car occupants in the event of a Cherry Hill underride accident.
While the federal government does not have rules for front or side truck underride guards, the NHTSA (as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) mandates additional rear impact safety standards. The law also requires that research be conducted on the use of side underride guards on trailers and semi-trailers to help protect car drivers, motorcyclists, and bicycle riders.
Some cities, including nearby Philadelphia, require that city-owned truck fleets have side underride guards.
Tractor-trailers and other large trucks are also required to comply with other types of safety features to reduce the risk of a rear-end underride accident such as reflective tapes, automatic braking systems (ABS), and ambient light requirements.
Why do truck underride accidents occur in Cherry Hill?
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill truck underride accident lawyers work to show how the collision happened and why the failure of the truck to have the proper guards was negligent. Cars and motorcycles may slide under a truck if:
- The truck driver stops suddenly
- The truck isn’t visible to others at night
- A car driver is speeding, driving while distracted, tailgating, or is otherwise negligent
- Bad weather makes it hard to stop
- A driver passes or merges improperly
- Defective car or truck parts such as braking systems, tires, and other parts fail to work properly
When truck underride accidents that could have been prevented by the use of rear-end impact guards occur, the following defendants may be liable:
- A truck driver, if the driver’s negligence caused the accident
- A trucking company, if the truck failed to have the proper rear-end impact underride guard
- A truck part manufacturer, if the rear-end impact guard is defective
- A truck maintenance company, if the company failed to properly install, repair, or maintain the rear-end impact guards
What types of injuries do victims of Cherry Hill truck accidents suffer?
Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for victims of Cherry Hill underride accidents who suffer any type of serious personal injury, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Spinal cord injury including paralysis
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Crush injuries
- Nerve, ligament, tissue, nerve, and ligament damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological injuries
We seek compensation for the victim’s past, current, and future:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damage
- Loss of bodily function
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
If a loved one died in a truck underride accident in Cherry Hill, we seek compensation in a wrongful death claim for the family’s:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost financial support
- Lost personal support including the loss of your loved one’s comfort, society, love, and companionship that he/she would have provided the family members
Do you have a Cherry Hill truck underride accident lawyer near me?
Ferrara & Gable’s office is located at 601 Longwood Avenue in Cherry Hill, NJ. You can park nearby. You can travel to us by the Rt. 38 bus. Our lawyers schedule phone and video conferences for victims who are too ill or immobile to come to our office.
Our truck underride accident lawyers will guide you through each step of the claims process.
Cherry Hill truck underride accident lawyers helping people in South Jersey
At Ferrara & Gable, our Cherry Hill truck underride accident lawyers work with our own investigators, the police, product safety experts, and through the formal discovery process to show how truck accidents happen and who is responsible. We demand full compensation for your personal and financial damages and to help you obtain justice for the death of a loved one. Call us or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.