Semi-trucks are so large that they often cause catastrophic collisions. The difference in size between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle creates a situation where the smaller vehicle and its occupants face far more risk than the commercial truck and its operator.
There are many ways for trucking companies to limit the number of major collisions that occur. They can carefully review the history of new hires and provide appropriate on-the-job training. Companies can adopt workplace policies that prioritize safety. They can also take steps to maintain fleet vehicles so that they are as safe as possible on the road.
Keeping trucks in safe operating condition is a baseline expectation for commercial transportation companies. They may also need to invest in specialized safety equipment that can reduce the severity of some of the worst collisions that occur.
Side underride guards save lives
The federal standards for semi-truck safety have long imposed requirements for rear underride guards. The U-shaped bars that hang below the rear doors of a semi-truck’s trailer prevent smaller vehicles from going under the truck in a rear-end crash scenario.
There are also side underride guards that companies can install, although federal safety regulations do not yet require these devices. Side underride guards are flexible sheets of metal that prevent vehicles from passing under the trailer of a semi-truck when a crash occurs. They can potentially save lives.
Side underride guards are highly effective, especially when crashes involve speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that side underride guards can prevent up to 97% of side underride fatalities and 85% of serious injuries.
Unfortunately, given that they cost money and that they do impact fuel costs, some transportation companies refuse to install side underride guards and are unlikely to change that practice until federal regulations shift. However, those companies may ultimately be liable if side underride crashes occur and result in serious injury or death for people in the smaller vehicles.
Given that trucking organizations have the ability to reduce the severity of certain crashes, their refusal to do so could strengthen claims of liability made by injured parties or grieving families. Learning more about what could protect people from semi-truck collisions can make it easier to appropriately respond after a crash occurs. Semi-truck crashes may lead to complex insurance negotiations or sometimes civil lawsuits.