Home » Law and Legal Articles » Fatal Accident After Car Rear-ends Tractor Trailer
Fatal Accident After Car Rear-ends Tractor Trailer
Since 1998, federal regulations require semi-trucks and tractor trailers to be equipped with rear guards, which are designed to prevent cars from sliding under the trailers. Unfortunately, some of the designs of these countermeasures seem to be ineffective.
September 15, 2011 /Law and Legal PR News/ -- Fatal Accident After Car Rear-ends Tractor Trailer
Just after 2:00 am on August 1, 2011, a car traveling westbound on I-30 near Fort Worth Texas plowed into the rear of a semi-truck. Investigators stated that the truck, traveling in the right lane, was moving slowly. The impact killed the driver and passenger in the car, which became wedged under the trailer. Firefighters had to cut the car apart in order to retrieve the bodies. Tragic accidents like this are common and bring to light serious highway safety issues involving rear guards on large trucks.
Since 1998, federal regulations require semi-trucks and tractor trailers to be equipped with rear guards, which are designed to prevent cars from sliding under the trailers. Unfortunately, some of the designs of these countermeasures seem to be ineffective at preventing semi-truck accidents as recent studies have shown.
In March, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which has studied underride crashes for more than 30 years, reported new findings regarding this crucial safety measure. The IIHS study came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that underride guards dramatically reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, and that an estimated 423 people are killed and more than 5,000 injured each year in rear end crashes with large trucks. The highway research safety organization sought to understand underride guards and why they fail in some cases.
During the IIHS crash tests, highly rated and federal safety standard compliant guards were evaluated. The tests demonstrated that this safety countermeasure was ineffective even at low speeds and showed devastating results for passengers. Concerned, the IIHS has now petitioned the NHTSA to develop more stringent semi-trailer rear impact protection standards.
According to the IIHS, about 10 percent of highway fatalities involve large truck crashes. Of that number, an estimated 12 percent of these deaths occur when cars rear-end big trucks.
Rearguard or underride accidents are highly dangerous. In these accidents, cars pass under trucks leaving the driver and passengers vulnerable. Shearing of the top of the car is common and passengers run the risk of decapitation as well as severe brain and severe neck injuries.
While rear guards are effective in saving lives in some cases, better designs can significantly reduce the risk of death and injury.
Article provided by Reaud Morgan & Quinn
Visit us at www.rmqlawfirm.com
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