Can Underride Accident Injuries Be Fatal?
An underride accident can happen in a split second. Smaller passenger cars may end up stuck under the sides or rear of a hefty commercial truck weighing anywhere up to 80,000 pounds.
BD&J underride truck accident lawyers in California hold large truck companies and negligent truck drivers responsible for serious injuries. Learn more about fatal underride accident injuries, how to seek justice for the passing of a loved one in a senseless truck accident, and when it’s time to consult the expert attorneys at BD&J.
Call 855-906-3699 to book your free consultation with one of BD&J’s California underride truck accident lawyers!
Frequent Underride Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents can often already be serious enough when involving small cars, but underride accidents are especially grave. This is due to the fact that passenger cars essentially end up under the massive truck, often leading to a car’s top being crushed or simply cut off.
Some of the most common underride truck accident injuries include:
Brain Injuries
The upright sitting position of drivers and passengers involved in an underride accident can cause significant damage to their heads upon impact. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to seizures, coordination problems, impairment, and coma.
Spine Injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord or vertebrae can be especially delicate. The aftermath of a spine injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of the senses, serious back, neck, and head pain, as well as trouble breathing.
Organ Damage
Organ damage is the injury or illness of any major organs of the body that can result from blunt or penetrating trauma. Truck accidents can often impact organs like the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Disfigurement
The crushing weight of massive commercial trucks and exposure to hot fuel and hazardous cargo can lead to lacerations and disfigurement for other drivers and their passengers. Commonly affected areas may include the face, head, legs, and arms.
Nerve damage, infection, and limited mobility are a few of the most serious consequences of disfigurement.
Large Trucks Vs. Small Cars Can Have Fatal Consequences
California is one of the states with the largest truck fatalities in the country. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), California was the 2nd state with the most truck fatalities, with 391 deaths recorded in 2024. In 2026 so far, California has had over 100 vehicles involved in fatal truck accidents.
Underride truck accidents can lead to serious injuries, many of which can lead to significant impact to the spine, brain, and other vital parts of the body. As a result, many underride accident injuries can be fatal.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
If you’ve lost a loved one to a severe injury from an underride truck accident, a wrongful death claim can help recover some of the expenses associated with the loss. A claim made by eligible family members can help recover:
- Past medical expenses
- Funeral costs
- Pain and suffering damages for family members
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of income if the deceased was a household’s main or sole provider
- Punitive damages to further punish the liable party or prevent similar acts of negligence
The devastating losses from an underride accident can never be paid but helping families recover some expenses in the pursuit of a legal case can help ease any financial strain that accompanies the loss.
How To Seek Justice for a Lost Loved One in a Truck Accident
If you lost a loved one in an underride truck accident in California, you’re not alone. Seek justice through a lawsuit that holds negligent or reckless parties accountable with the following steps:
- Collect all available evidence. – This can include a death certificate, accident report, autopsy records, and any photos of videos of the accident and the scene.
- Talk to a California truck accident attorney. – You don’t have to go through this legal turmoil alone. A California truck accident attorney or wrongful death lawyer can explain the legal process.
- Write a spoliation letter. – Working with your attorney, writing a spoliation letter as soon as possible can help preserve important evidence like black box data, truck driver logs, and surveillance footage.
- Avoid speaking with insurance companies. – Do not speak with insurance companies on your own, as they may apply pressure for you to accept a settlement offer quickly.
- Consult every step of the legal process with your attorney. – Talking with your attorney through every step of the process can ensure your claim progresses successfully and you have a higher opportunity of recovering damages for the unforeseen loss of a loved one.
Don’t wait to consult with an attorney on your accident claim; BD&J is ready to answer your call!
Underride Truck Accident Attorneys Are Here for You
If you’re involved in an underride accident in California, you’re probably dealing with extremely painful injuries and a mountain of expenses related to the accident. Working with a dedicated law firm like BD&J can help you get started on your claim with the help of an expert legal attorney.
With over $3 billion* recovered in compensation and case results that speak to our expertise, you can be confident your case is in the right hands. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees on your end until we win*.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Underride Accident Injuries
Do I Have to Go to the Hospital After a Truck Accident?
Yes, it’s recommended you go to the hospital immediately after a truck accident even if you don’t feel any injury symptoms.
What Injuries Tend to Take Longer to Show Symptoms?
Some of the typical injuries that take longer to show symptoms include brain injuries, organ damage, and in some cases, spinal cord injuries.
Who Could Be Responsible for My Underride Truck Accident Injuries?
Responsible parties may include a truck driver, truck company, truck product manufacturer, or even another driver.
Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer?
Not at all. In fact, BD&J attorneys recommend not accepting the first settlement offer because this offer is typically a lowball offer, leaves room for negotiation, and doesn’t consider the future prognosis of your injuries while they’re still being treated.
What is a Fair Value for My Accident Claim?
Every accident claim is different, and the same could be said for its value. Talking with an attorney can give you a clearer idea on the worth of your case, but injury severity, disability, and extreme negligence or misconduct are some of the key factors that could affect the compensation amount.
What Should I Tell an Underride Accident Attorney About My Injuries?
Everything. Tell them about pain levels, physical limitations from your injuries, current medical treatments you’re going through, and even a prognosis for long-term effects if available.
Can I Go Back to Work After a Truck Accident Injury?
Most often, you cannot. This is especially true if your job requires a lot of physical exertion.
A loss of income after an underride truck accident can quickly take a toll on households. Working with a truck accident injury lawyer can bring you closer to recovering past and future lost income, as well as decreased earning capacity.
What if I Was a Truck Driver Injured on the Job?
If you were a truck driver who was injured by a third party (like a parts manufacturer or contractor) or ended up injured due to extreme negligence or misconduct by your employer, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit for your damages.
What Do I Do if My Injuries Will Cause Lifelong Impairment?
Catastrophic injuries can cause lifelong mental or physical impairment, and this comes with new difficulties and expenses. If your injuries have led to the diagnosis of lifelong impairment, you have the legal right to hold truck drivers and companies liable with the help of an attorney.
What’s a Sign I Should Consult a BD&J Underride Truck Accident Lawyer?
Some of the signs that point to talking with a BD&J underride truck accident lawyer about your case are: your injuries have led to lifelong impairment, you cannot afford to pay for medical expenses, the other responsible party denies liability, or an insurance company denies or lowballs your accident claim.
Where Are BD&J Offices Located?
BD&J is always ready to fight for injured Californians and their loved ones. We have offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Margarita, Sacramento, Fresno, and Riverside.
If you can’t make it to our offices, don’t worry. We’ll come to you!
BD&J Fights for You in the Aftermath of a Critical Truck Accident
BD&J has fought tirelessly for the rights of injured drivers in the aftermath of car accidents, truck accidents, and other accidents involving commercial vehicles since our establishment in 2007. When it comes to fighting for compensation, BD&J is not afraid to go against large truck or insurance companies in the name of our clients.
Learn more about BD&J and our powerhouse attorneys by booking your initial free consultation now.
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