Practice Area
Underride Truck Accident Lawyers.
When a passenger vehicle slides under a tractor-trailer, the result is almost always catastrophic. Cross & York pursues every responsible party — the carrier, the trailer manufacturer, and the maintenance provider.
Quick answer
What is an underride truck accident, and who is liable?
An underride accident happens when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a tractor-trailer, so the trailer strikes the car's cabin above its crash structure. Liability can fall on the motor carrier for a damaged or poorly maintained rear guard, on the trailer manufacturer for a weak guard design under 49 CFR 393.86, or on both.
An underride crash occurs when a passenger vehicle slides beneath a tractor-trailer — most commonly into the trailer’s rear or side. Because the impact bypasses the car’s crumple zones and strikes the roof or windshield directly, the injuries are typically catastrophic or fatal. Federal standards (FMVSS 223 and 224) govern rear underride guard strength and dimensions, but many trailers on the road today do not meet modern performance benchmarks. Our semi-truck accident lawyers move within hours to preserve the trailer, the underride guard, ECM data, and dashcam footage.
Why underride crashes happen
Rear and side underride guards are required on most commercial trailers, yet many fail to meet the safety standards needed to stop a passenger vehicle at highway speeds. Inadequate guard design, missing side guards, and poor maintenance are the leading contributors.
How we build the case
Cross & York retains engineering experts to inspect the trailer, test guard performance, and evaluate the manufacturer's compliance with FMVSS 223/224. We pair that engineering analysis with the carrier's maintenance and inspection records to prove negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Underride Crashes
- What is an underride truck accident?
- An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a tractor-trailer. Because the impact bypasses the passenger compartment’s crumple zones and strikes the roof or windshield directly, underride crashes are among the deadliest collisions on U.S. roads.
- Who can be sued after an underride accident?
- Potentially the truck driver, the motor carrier, the trailer manufacturer (for defective or missing underride guards), and the maintenance company. Cross & York investigates each defendant to maximize the insurance and product-liability coverage available to victims and families.
- What federal rules govern underride guards?
- FMVSS 223 and 224 set strength and dimensional requirements for rear underride guards on most heavy trailers. The 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act required NHTSA to study and act on side underride guards as well. Many trailers on the road today do not meet modern guard performance standards.
- How is fault proven in an underride case?
- We retain engineering experts to inspect the trailer, test the underride guard, and evaluate compliance with FMVSS 223/224 and any applicable manufacturer recall. We pair that with the carrier’s maintenance and inspection records to prove negligence — and, where appropriate, manufacturer product liability.
- How quickly should I contact an attorney?
- Immediately. Dashcam footage can be overwritten within 24–72 hours and ECM data within 30 days. The trailer itself can be repaired, scrapped, or sold before its underride guard is preserved. Cross & York issues litigation holds within hours of being retained.
Guides on this topic
Filing deadlines and fault rules depend on where the crash happened. See the truck accident laws in your state.