Are Semi-Trucks in Florida Required to Have Underride Guards?
Tractor trailer underride crashes can be extremely dangerous. They have a high risk of causing catastrophic or fatal harm to the victims(s). Trucking companies in Florida should ensure that their fleet is equipped with properly installed underride guards. That can go a long way towards reducing the risk of terrible injuries. Here, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney provides a guide to underride guard crashes in Florida.
What is an Underride Guard?
Simply explained, an underride guard is a metal safety bar mounted to the rear or sides of a semi-truck trailer. Its purpose is to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath the trailer in a collision. When a passenger car underrides a trailer, the upper portion of the vehicle may strike the trailer directly. That is a serious problem because it can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Rear underride guards absorb and redirect impact energy. To work effectively, these guards must be properly designed, installed, and maintained.
Why are Underride Guards So Important as a Safety Feature?
Underride guards save lives by minimizing the severity of collisions between large trucks and smaller passenger vehicles. They provide a structural barrier that stops vehicles from becoming trapped under a trailer. Without guards, a crash that might otherwise cause moderate front-end damage can become fatal due to intrusion into the passenger cabin. Research from federal highway safety agencies shows that underride guards can prevent or lessen injuries in rear-impact crashes.
What is the Law for Semi-Trucks and Underride Guards in Florida?
For the purpose of underride guards, Florida law is federal law. The state follows the federal underride guard regulations. The key rule is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) § 393.86. All commercial trailers and semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more must have a rear impact guard meeting federal standards. Tractor trailers virtually always fit into that category. All tractor trailers that operate in interstate commerce that come through Florida need to have the proper underride guards on the rear. Trucking companies operating in Florida must ensure their fleets comply with all FMCSR requirements. If you were hurt in a truck underride crash, it is imperative that you speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
Note: While federal law requires rear guards, side and front underride guards remain largely optional. Still, some commercial trucks in our state do have them.
Call Our Florida Underride Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney fights aggressively to protect victims and families. If you were involved in a truck accident involving lack of proper underride guards, we can help. Call us now or contact us online for a free case review. It is our mission to help truck accident victims in Florida secure the maximum possible financial compensation. With an office in West Palm Beach, our firm fights for truck accident victims throughout Southeast Florida.
Source:
csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=64&sub=138
