Underride Truck Accident Lawyer in Arizona
If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride truck accident, you may be facing catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and an uncertain future. These collisions are among the deadliest types of commercial truck accidents because a passenger vehicle can become trapped beneath the trailer, causing severe damage to the occupant compartment.
At Tinoco Law, we represent victims of serious truck accidents throughout Arizona. Our attorneys understand the complex federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and extensive investigations these cases require. You’ll work directly with an experienced Arizona trial attorney from the beginning of your case—not be passed between case managers.
Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win.
About Us
Why Choose Tinoco Law After an Underride Truck Accident?
Direct Access to Your Attorney
Commercial trucking cases often involve multiple insurance companies, trucking corporations, and defense attorneys working immediately to limit their liability. At Tinoco Law, you’ll communicate directly with your attorney throughout your case, ensuring your questions are answered and your rights are protected.
Experienced Arizona Trial Attorneys
Jessica Tinoco has represented clients in complex personal injury and commercial trucking litigation throughout Arizona. Her courtroom experience—including serving as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Maricopa County Superior Court—provides valuable insight into building strong cases from the outset.
- Super Lawyers Rising Star
- America's Best Top Attorney
- Judge Pro Tempore – Maricopa County Superior Court
Unlike firms focused solely on settlements, we prepare every case as though it may proceed to trial.
What Is an Underride Truck Accident?
An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a commercial truck or trailer during a collision.
Because the trailer sits significantly higher than most passenger vehicles, the front portion of the car can travel underneath the trailer rather than absorbing the impact through standard crash protection systems.
These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries because the passenger compartment may be crushed or sheared away. There are two primary types of underride accidents:
Rear Underride Accidents
Rear underride crashes occur when a vehicle strikes the back of a commercial trailer and slides beneath it. These collisions frequently happen when:
- A truck stops suddenly
- Visibility is poor
- Reflective markings are inadequate
- Brake lights are difficult to see
- Traffic slows unexpectedly
Side Underride Accidents
Side underride crashes occur when a vehicle slides beneath the side of a trailer during:
- Wide turns
- Intersection crossings
- Highway lane changes
- Nighttime driving
- Poor visibility conditions
Many side underride collisions occur because passenger vehicles cannot easily see the side of a trailer crossing their lane.
Why Are Underride Accidents So Dangerous?
Underride crashes differ from typical vehicle collisions because the trailer bypasses many of the safety features designed to protect occupants. Instead of the bumper, hood, and airbags absorbing the impact, the trailer may intrude directly into the passenger compartment. As a result, these collisions often involve:
- Severe head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Crush injuries
- Fatal injuries
Because of the tremendous forces involved, underride accidents frequently result in permanent disabilities or wrongful death.
Common Causes
What Causes Underride Truck Accidents?
Most underride crashes are preventable and result from negligence by one or more parties. Common causes include:
Unsafe Lane Changes
Sudden Stops
Poor Trailer Visibility
Wide Turns
Improper Parking
Mechanical Failures
Federal Trucking Safety Regulations That May Apply
Commercial trucking companies must comply with numerous federal safety regulations designed to reduce serious crashes. Depending on the circumstances, investigators may evaluate compliance with regulations involving:
- Trailer lighting requirements
- Reflective tape and conspicuity markings
- Rear underride guards
- Vehicle inspection requirements
- Preventive maintenance
- Brake system inspections
- Driver training
- Hours-of-Service regulations
Evidence of regulatory violations may strengthen a personal injury claim by demonstrating negligence.
Rear Underride Guards: What They Do—and Their Limitations
Most commercial trailers are equipped with rear underride guards, sometimes referred to as “ICC bumpers.” These guards are intended to help prevent passenger vehicles from sliding beneath the rear of a trailer during certain collisions.
However, underride guards may not always prevent severe injuries. Factors such as crash speed, impact angle, guard maintenance, vehicle size, and crash dynamics can affect how well they perform. Side underride protection is also not universally required on commercial trailers, which can create additional risks in certain types of collisions.
Understanding how underride protection functioned—or failed—in a specific crash often requires engineering analysis and a detailed investigation.
Who May Be Liable?
One of the biggest misconceptions about truck accidents is that only the driver can be responsible. Depending on the facts of your case, liability may extend to multiple parties. Potentially responsible parties include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Trailer owner
- Cargo company
- Maintenance contractor
- Truck manufacturer
- Trailer manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Freight broker
- Third-party logistics company
Identifying every liable party is critical because commercial trucking accidents often involve multiple insurance policies and layers of responsibility.
Building Your Case
Evidence That Can Strengthen an Underride Truck Accident Case
Commercial trucking cases require immediate investigation because valuable evidence may be lost if not preserved. At Tinoco Law, we move quickly to obtain and preserve evidence such as:
Electronic Control Module (Black Box)
Dash Camera Footage
Inspection and Maintenance Records
Driver Qualification File
Hours-of-Service Records
Crash Reconstruction
Common Injuries Following an Underride Collision
These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries requiring lifelong care. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Multiple fractures
- Facial fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Where Do Underride Truck Accidents Happen in Arizona?
Arizona’s interstate highways carry thousands of commercial trucks every day. Underride crashes frequently occur on:
- Interstate 10
- Interstate 17
- Loop 101
- Loop 202
- Interstate 8
- Interstate 40
- US-60
- SR-51
High-risk areas include congested interchanges, construction zones, rural highways with limited lighting, and high-speed freight corridors.
Arizona Comparative Negligence
Insurance companies sometimes argue that a passenger vehicle was following too closely or failed to avoid the collision. Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Any recovery may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Because every underride accident is unique, a thorough investigation is essential to determine what happened and identify all contributing factors.
Our Process
What Should You Do After an Underride Truck Accident?
Compensation Available
Depending on the circumstances of your case, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Home modifications
- Property damage
- Wrongful death damages
How Tinoco Law Investigates Underride Truck Accidents
Trucking cases demand more than reviewing a police report. Our legal team may:
- Send preservation letters to prevent evidence from being destroyed
- Obtain black box and electronic logging device data
- Review maintenance, inspection, and repair records
- Examine trailer lighting and reflective markings
- Analyze rear underride guard maintenance and condition
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Interview witnesses and review surveillance footage
- Evaluate compliance with FMCSA regulations
- Identify every potentially liable party and available insurance policy
This comprehensive investigation helps build the strongest possible claim on behalf of our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a rear underride and a side underride accident?
A rear underride accident occurs when a vehicle slides beneath the back of a trailer, while a side underride accident happens when a vehicle travels underneath the side of a trailer, often at an intersection or during a turn.
Can more than one party be responsible?
Yes. Depending on the facts, liability may extend beyond the truck driver to the trucking company, trailer owner, maintenance provider, manufacturer, or other entities involved in operating or maintaining the commercial vehicle.
Are trucking companies required to have underride guards?
Federal regulations require most commercial trailers to have rear underride guards, but the specific requirements and whether they were properly maintained depend on the vehicle and circumstances. Side underride protection is generally not required in the same way, making these crashes particularly dangerous.
How quickly should I contact an attorney?
As soon as possible. Electronic data, maintenance records, and other evidence may become more difficult to obtain over time. Early legal representation can help preserve critical evidence and protect your rights.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
An underride truck accident can change your life in an instant. You deserve experienced legal representation that understands the complexity of commercial trucking litigation.
At Tinoco Law, you’ll work directly with an Arizona trial attorney who will investigate every aspect of your case, identify all responsible parties, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve.