Truck Underride Accidents in St. Louis

A truck underride accident happens when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a semi-truck or trailer during a collision. Due to the size difference between passenger cars and big rigs, these crashes are among the deadliest on the road. Safety features like airbags and crumple zones are often inadequate in underride accidents, leaving drivers and passengers with life-threatening injuries.

St. Louis is especially at risk for underride collisions. With major highways like I-70, I-44, and I-55 running through the city, along with heavy truck traffic from the river port and local distribution centers, commercial trucks are part of daily life. Unfortunately, that also means more opportunities for serious accidents.

At Cofman Townsley, we understand the devastating impact that underride accidents can have on Missouri families. Our team is dedicated to standing up to trucking companies and helping victims get the care and compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

Understanding Truck Underride Accidents

Underride crashes happen because passenger vehicles are much smaller and lower to the ground than commercial trucks. In a collision, a car can slide beneath the trailer or cab of a semi, often with devastating results.

There are several types of underride accidents:

• Rear Underride: When a car crashes into the back of a trailer
• Side Underride: When a vehicle slides under the side of a truck, often during turns, lane changes, or at intersections
• Front Override: When a large truck runs over a smaller vehicle from behind

Several factors can increase the risk of these crashes, including:

• Trucks with missing or poorly designed underride guards
• Inadequate lights or reflectors, making trucks hard to see at night
• Unsafe stopping distances or distracted drivers
• Weather and road conditions, such as rain, ice, or fog, that reduce visibility and control

Federal law requires trucks to have rear underride guards, but there’s no similar requirement for side guards. As a result, drivers in Missouri and across the U.S. remain vulnerable to these especially dangerous collisions.

Catastrophic Injuries from Underride Collisions

Underride accidents are often more severe than other types of crashes because passenger car safety features like airbags and crumple zones don’t activate as they should. When a vehicle slides beneath a truck, the point of impact is higher than the car was designed to handle, leaving occupants with little protection.

Common injuries from underride collisions include:

• Traumatic brain injuries that can cause lasting cognitive and physical challenges
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis, often resulting in lifelong disability
• Crush injuries and amputations when parts of the body are trapped under heavy machinery
• Severe facial trauma or disfigurement from direct impact
• Internal organ damage, which can be life-threatening even if it isn’t visible right away
• Fatalities, which tragically occur in many underride crashes

For survivors and their families, the consequences extend far beyond the physical injuries. Many face permanent disability, overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and the emotional toll of adjusting to a very different life after the crash.

If you’ve suffered severe injuries, remember to seek immediate medical treatment and keep track of all your medical bills. St. Louis has several local hospitals, including SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Louis, Mercy Hospital St. Louis Emergency Department, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital Emergency Room.

Who May Be Liable in an Underride Crash?

One of the most complex aspects of an underride case is determining who is legally responsible. Several different parties may share liability, depending on how the truck accident happened:

• Truck drivers who were speeding, distracted, or driving while fatigued
• Trucking companies that cut corners by failing to install proper guards, ignoring safety rules, or pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines
• Manufacturers that built defective underride guards, faulty lights, or other unsafe truck parts
• Maintenance contractors who skipped inspections or failed to make necessary repairs
• Government entities responsible for dangerous road design, poor signage, or lack of proper maintenance

At Cofman Townsley, our attorneys thoroughly investigate underride crashes. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, review logbooks and maintenance records, and consult with industry experts to uncover the truth. Our goal is to hold every responsible party accountable, so you have the best chance at full and fair compensation.

Compensation for Victims and Families

The aftermath of an underride accident can be overwhelming, both physically and financially. If you or a loved one has been injured, you may be entitled to compensation that covers not only immediate medical needs but also the long-term impact of the crash.

Economic damages may include:

• Emergency care and surgeries
• Hospital stays, rehabilitation, and physical therapy
• Medication, prosthetics, and assistive devices
• Lost wages while recovering and reduced earning capacity in the future
• Long-term care expenses or modifications to your home or vehicle

Non-economic damages address the personal impact of the crash, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress, including anxiety and PTSD
• Loss of companionship or support for spouses and partners

When underride accidents are fatal, families may also pursue wrongful death damages, which can provide financial support and justice for their loss.

Damages in these types of crashes can be extreme. One of the most notorious underride crashes happened here in St. Louis in May 2019, resulting in two deaths when a car went underneath the rear of a trailer along Interstate 44 and 55 near the 7th Street exit.

The jury awarded punitive damages of $450 million, in addition to $11.5 million in compensatory damages. However, the court reduced the punitive damages award to $108 million, with the compensatory damages award remaining at $11.5 million.

Why Choose Cofman Townsley?

Cofman Townsley has spent decades standing up for injury victims across Missouri. As a local firm with deep roots in St. Louis, we know the roads, the courts, and the challenges families face after devastating crashes.

Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to take on even the largest trucking companies and their insurers. We understand federal trucking regulations, work with respected accident reconstruction experts, and build strong cases designed to maximize your recovery.

When you hire Cofman Townsley, you’re choosing a team with a proven track record of success, and you won’t pay us unless we win your case.

Contact Our St. Louis Truck Underride Accident Lawyers

Underride accidents change lives in an instant, leaving families with overwhelming medical bills, lasting injuries, or the heartbreak of losing a loved one. You don’t have to face this alone.

Cofman Townsley is here to help you move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn your legal options and begin protecting your rights. There are no upfront costs, and you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you.