Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a large truck, such as a semi. These crashes are often catastrophic and frequently fatal for the occupants of the smaller vehicle involved.
Despite years of advocacy and tragic headlines, underride accidents continue to happen with alarming regularity—and many could be prevented with better safety measures. Unfortunately, unless a trucking company is willing to go above and beyond the basic safety standards that are required of them, their drivers will continue to remain at risk of causing or otherwise being involved in this type of crash.
What is going on?
One of the primary reasons that underride accidents remain a persistent problem is the federal government’s uneven regulation of underride guards. Rear underride guards have been required on most commercial trucks for decades. These metal barriers hang from the back of trailers and are designed to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath in a rear-end collision. However, these required guards have long been criticized for their outdated strength standards and poor performance in real-world conditions.
Side underride guards, on the other hand, are not federally mandated. These resources protect cars from sliding under the sides of trailers in angled collisions, which often occur during lane changes or at intersections. Studies and pilot programs have shown that side guards can significantly reduce the severity of these crashes, but they remain optional in most of the country. Without uniform requirements, many trucking companies simply opt not to install them due to added cost and maintenance.
In addition to regulatory gaps, inconsistent enforcement and delayed rulemaking have also contributed to the problem. Federal agencies have considered strengthening underride guard standards, but progress has been slow. Meanwhile, it is widely reported that thousands of underride accidents occur each year, many involving guards that failed or were not present at all.
Poor maintenance and aging equipment add to the danger. A guard that is rusted, improperly installed or damaged may not function as intended. In some cases, even newer trucks may have improperly certified guards or components that don’t meet current guidelines.
Until stronger safety standards are universally adopted and enforced, underride accidents will continue to claim lives. These are not just tragic incidents—they’re preventable ones. Accountability and advocacy can help to push for changes that will finally make the roads safer, although it would be ideal if regulators, trucking companies and manufacturers would take this issue seriously without added pressure.
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