Truck Underride Accidents in Colorado 

In Colorado, large commercial trucks play a vital role in the state’s economy as they help transport goods and support main industries. Despite their role in economic growth, large commercial trucks also pose a serious threat to the safety of other road users. A fully loaded large commercial truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. Clearly, an accident with a large commercial truck is more destructive than an accident involving cars that weigh approximately 3,000 pounds. The large commercial truck accident lawyers at Bowman understand the unique dangers trucks bring to other motorists. In this article, we will discuss underride truck accidents in Colorado.

What is a Truck Underride Accident?

According to the United States Department of Transportation, truck underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a large commercial truck or trailer. Upon impact, the smaller vehicle then slides underneath the truck. Generally, this type of accident is extremely dangerous. Truck underride accidents can result in life-threatening injuries or fatalities because the protective structure of the passenger compartment of smaller vehicles is significantly compromised.

Types of Underride Truck Accidents 

Large commercial trucks include tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and other vehicles that are larger than standard passenger cars. The three main types of underride truck accidents in Colorado are:

• Rear Underride Accidents: These are the most common type of underride accident, which occur when small vehicles crash into the back of a truck or trailer. Rear underride collisions take place due to a truck coming to a sudden stop on the road, a slow-moving truck on highways, and poor visibility of the rear of the truck at night or in adverse weather conditions. Impairment, fatigue, or distracted driving can also cause these crashes.

• Side Underride Accidents: These take place when a smaller vehicle collides with the side of a truck or trailer. Side underride accidents often occur at intersections as trucks turn, during lane changes especially in truck blind spots, and on multi-lane highways as cars pass trucks. These types of crashes are risky at night or in low-visibility conditions and usually more severe than rear underride. High speeds and other negligent acts, such as distracted driving or failure to yield, can also lead to these collisions.

• Front Underride Accidents: These are the least common form of underride accidents, which occur when a truck hits the back of a passenger vehicle. The impact causes the smaller car to become wedged underneath the front of the truck. Negligence like speeding, driving under the influence, or failure to yield can contribute to these crashes.

Injuries in Colorado Underride Truck Accidents

Occupants of the smaller vehicle involved in underride truck accidents suffer severe injuries due to the strong impact and the nature of the crash. As the passenger car slides underneath the truck, the compartment may be crushed or sheared off. The head and upper body areas of the drivers and passengers may be significantly harmed.

The most common injuries in underride truck accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These injuries occur when the brain is damaged due to the impact of the collision. In underride truck accidents, the roof of the smaller vehicle can be crushed, which can lead to direct trauma to the head.

• Spinal cord injuries: In underride truck crashes, a person’s neck is exposed when the roof is crushed. The force of the impact can cause damage to the spinal cord and result in partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia). 

• Decapitation: This can happen when the impact of the collision completely crushes the roof of the smaller vehicle, forcibly removing the head of the victim. Underride truck accidents are one of the rare types of crashes where decapitation is a significant risk due to the height differences between the vehicles.

• Facial and Skull Fractures: These injuries result from the severe force applied to the head and face of the occupants of passenger vehicles. Fractures in underride truck collisions happen when the roof collapses, or the windshield shatters. 

• Chest and Abdominal Injuries: In underride truck accidents, the impact can cause severe crushing injuries to the chest and abdomen. The force of the crash can result in broken ribs, damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, and internal bleeding.

• Limb Amputations: smaller vehicles may collapse in underride truck collisions. A crushed vehicle can trap or crush an occupant. In severe cases, traumatic amputation or surgical amputation may be needed due to irreparable damage to the victim.

• Severe Lacerations and Fractures: In underride truck crashes, shattered glass, crushed metal, and the collapsed roof can cause deep cuts, lacerations, and compound fractures.

• Pelvic and Hip Injuries: The impact of underride truck accidents can lead to fractures in the pelvis or hips. These injuries can occur if the lower part of the body becomes pinned under the steering wheel or dashboard of the smaller vehicles.

• Burns: These take place when the underride truck collisions lead to a fire or explosion.

• Psychological Trauma: Victims of underride truck accidents suffer significant emotional and psychological trauma due to the extreme nature of the crash and the injuries they incurred. Survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and long-term emotional distress.

• Fatal Injuries: Sadly, fatalities are common in underride truck collisions. Most of the deceased victims were sitting in the front of the smaller vehicle.

Damages for Victims in Underride Truck Accidents

In underride truck accidents, victims can pursue damages to compensate for the losses and injuries they have sustained. These damages involve:

• Medical Costs: Victims can obtain compensation for hospital bills, medications, surgeries, rehabilitations, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care for permanent disabilities.

• Lost wages: Victims can seek compensation for lost income during their recovery period and for future lost earning capacity.

• Property Damage: Damages for the repair or replacement of their vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the underride truck collisions.

• Funeral Expenses: Surviving families of the deceased victims can obtain compensation for funeral and burial costs.

• Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain and emotional suffering. This also involves long-term discomfort, chronic pain, or loss of enjoyment of life.

• Emotional Distress: Damages include mental anguish, anxiety, fear, stress, and depression.

• Loss of Consortium: Damages include loss of companionship, affection, or intimacy.

• Punitive Damages: Damages intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or reckless behavior and to deter similar conduct in the future. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse the victim for losses, punitive damages go beyond compensation and focus on punishment.

• Disability and Disfigurement: Damages for the impact on their quality of life, mobility, and appearance.

Contact our Colorado Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers

At Bowman Law, we recognize the profound impact a personal injury can have on your life. Our Colorado commercial truck accident lawyers understand the overwhelming challenges associated with accidents. Do not go at it alone. Let us help. Our team of Colorado commercial truck accident lawyers provide compassionate, personalized legal representation to help you navigate this challenging time.

Our client-first approach ensures your needs are at the forefront of everything we do. We pride ourselves on transparency, integrity, and clear communication, guiding you through each step of the legal process. From initial consultation to the resolution of your case, we will guide you through the process. Our goal is to alleviate the stress of legal proceedings so you can focus on your recovery. Bowman Law has a proven record of success.

Were you injured in an accident with a large commercial truck? You do not face the challenges alone. Please send us a message or call us at 720-466-5747 to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember, you have one chance at attaining full and complete justice, and we are here to ensure you seize it. Let Colorado’s top-rated Colorado truck accident lawyers fight for your rights, protect your interests, and deliver the justice you deserve. We serve clients across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora. Call us now and take the first step toward reclaiming your life.