Underride Truck Crash Attorneys

How Underride Truck Accidents Shatter Lives in New York

Underride truck accidents happen in an instant, and the aftermath is nothing short of devastating. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, underride crashes account for a significant percentage of fatal truck accidents each year. These crashes occur when a smaller vehicle slides under a massive truck, often leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. If you're searching for a personal injury firm that understands these cases inside and out, you're in the right place.

If you or someone you love has been affected by an underride truck accident, we know you’re dealing with unimaginable stress. Medical bills. Lost income. Endless uncertainty. That’s why we’re here. At Horn Wright, LLP, we fight for people who deserve justice, compensation, and the chance to rebuild. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and fight for maximum compensation.

Two Deadly Types of Underride Crashes—Both End in Disaster

Underride accidents come in two terrifying forms, and neither gives drivers much of a chance to escape unharmed.

• Rear Underride Accidents – You’re driving at night, following a truck that suddenly stops. There’s no warning. No reflective tape. No time to react. Your car slams into the back of the truck, sliding underneath. Rear underride crashes are especially deadly when a truck’s brake lights or warning markers are broken, leaving you with no way to see what’s coming. These accidents happen all too often on highways like I-95 or the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
• Side Underride Accidents – A truck makes a turn. It crosses into your lane. Before you even have a chance to hit the brakes, your car gets trapped underneath. Side underride crashes are common when truckers don’t check their blind spots or when trucks lack protective side guards. In the chaos of New York’s traffic—especially in places like Midtown or the Cross Bronx Expressway—it’s a real and constant danger.

No matter how it happens, the result is the same: catastrophic injuries, total devastation, and lives changed forever.

Who’s Really at Fault? The Truth About Underride Truck Accidents

Most underride crashes aren’t accidents in the traditional sense. They’re preventable. But when trucking companies and manufacturers cut corners, lives are put at risk.

So, who’s responsible? More people than you might think:

• Truck Drivers – Did the trucker slam on their brakes without warning? Did they fail to use hazard lights? Were they distracted, drowsy, or reckless? If so, they could be held liable.
• Trucking Companies – Some companies ignore safety regulations, skip inspections, or fail to install proper underride guards. When they put profits over people, we hold them accountable.
• Manufacturers – Underride guards are supposed to prevent these accidents, but some are too weak to do their job. If a manufacturer sold a defective or poorly designed guard, they could be responsible for the damage.
• Government Entities – If a city or state neglected road maintenance, ignored dangerous intersections, or failed to enforce safety regulations, they could share liability.

New York’s comparative negligence laws mean even if the victim is partly at fault, they may still be eligible for compensation. That’s why it’s crucial to have an attorney who knows how to prove liability—and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our legal team knows how to take on big trucking companies and win. When you need a personal injury firm that won’t back down, we’re ready to fight for you.

Manufacturers Know the Risks—So Why Aren’t Trucks Safer?

The technology exists to prevent these accidents. So why do so many trucks still lack proper protection? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that many trucks fail to meet updated safety regulations, increasing the risk of underride crashes. Simple. Money. Some manufacturers refuse to prioritize safety because adding better underride guards cuts into their profits.

If you or a loved one was hurt in an underride crash, you might have a product liability claim if:

• The truck was missing legally required underride guards.
• The manufacturer ignored known safety risks.
• A guard failed due to a design flaw.

We don’t let manufacturers get away with negligence. If they put lives at risk to save a few dollars, we make them pay. We have experience to hold them accountable. That’s why we’re known as one of the best law firms in New York, fighting tirelessly for victims and their families.

If You’ve Been Hurt in an Underride Truck Crash, Let’s Fight for You

At Horn Wright, LLP, we specialize in legal help for trucking accident claims, and we will fight for the maximum payout you deserve. Let’s get you the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how our personal injury firm can help you move forward.