What is an “underride” truck accident and what are the underride truck accident risks in Louisville?  An underride accident occurs when another motor vehicle becomes wedged underneath a semi tractor trailer.  Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) made specific recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which proposed changes which would reduce the number of underride truck accidents or eliminate them altogether.

When a car or other motor vehicle becomes lodged under a truck the roof of the vehicle is usually crushed down or cut off in the accident itself.  Occupants in these vehicles suffer serious injuries including head and neck trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in addition to serious back injuries and multiple fractures.  These injuries can result in a permanent loss of a range of motion in an arm, leg or digits as well as paralysis.  Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in a wrongful death of the driver or passengers in the car which becomes wedged beneath a large truck.

Permanent injuries and other serious wounds like a TBI require a “Life Care Plan.”  The Life Care Plan is a comprehensive document which details all of the medical treatment the patient will require for the rest of their life, the impact of their injuries upon their ability to work or earn a living, as well as every other expense now and in the future which relates to their injuries.  The Life Care Plan helps the jury to understand the short and long term costs of these serious injuries, as well as the economic, social and personal impact these injuries will have upon the injury victim.

Unfortunately, the underride truck accident risks in Louisville are quite high.  The surrounding interstates including I-65, I-64 and I-71 as well as I-264, I-265 and the Watterson Expressway bring a heavy flow of truck traffic to our area, resulting in increased truck related accidents.  If you or a family member are the victims of an underride truck accident or any motor vehicle injury accident we invite you to review the recommendations of our clients and the legal industry and contact HLH or call (866) 583-9701 for a free consultation today.