Tractor-Trailer Underride Collisions Lawyer in Atlanta & Marietta
Representing Victims of Catastrophic Underride Collisions in Atlanta and Across Georgia
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our personal injury attorneys represent individuals and families throughout Atlanta and across Georgia devastated by tractor-trailer underride collisions. These violent and often fatal events occur when a passenger vehicle travels into the rear or side of a trailer and becomes lodged underneath it. Most trailers are significantly higher off the ground than passenger vehicles. Without effective underride guards, the car’s roof can be crushed or sheared off—frequently resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Underride collisions are not just tragic—they are preventable. Despite decades of research and mounting evidence that rear and side underride guards save lives, many trailers on Georgia roads still lack these essential safety protections. Our law firm is committed to holding trucking companies, trailer manufacturers, and others accountable when preventable failures shatter lives.
If you or your loved one has been seriously harmed in an underride collision, Ashby Thelen Lowry may be able to help you pursue justice and compensation. We take on complex cases and deliver results, starting with a free consultation.
How Tractor-Trailer Underride Collisions Happen in Georgia
Underride collisions most commonly occur when a passenger vehicle crashes into the back or side of a commercial trailer. These collisions are particularly severe due to the structural mismatch between cars.
The most frequent causes include:
- Missing or inadequate underride guards.
Rear and side guards are designed to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding beneath trailers, but not all trailers are equipped with them, and they may be poorly maintained or not up to modern safety standards.
- High ground clearance of the trailer.
Many trailers sit well above the level of a typical car’s hood. In a rear or side impact, the vehicle may go directly underneath the trailer, bypassing crumple zones and safety systems.
- Lack of proper reflective markings or lighting.
Trailers that are difficult to see at night or in poor weather conditions are far more likely to be involved in an underride collision.
- Improper stopping or parking by the truck.
Commercial vehicles that stop abruptly or illegally park on roadways or shoulders can create unexpected and unavoidable hazards.
- Low visibility and nighttime driving conditions.
These collisions often occur in low-light situations when drivers are not warned of the trailer’s position.
If you or a family member was involved in a collision with a commercial trailer and the vehicle ended up beneath the trailer frame, we encourage you to speak with us as soon as possible. We may be able to pursue full compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.
The Devastating Impact of Underride Collisions
Because underride collisions bypass critical safety systems in modern vehicles, they tend to cause some of the most catastrophic and life-altering injuries seen on the road today.
These may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Caused by the crushing of the vehicle’s upper structure or direct contact with trailer components.
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis: Resulting from the collision’s violent force and the vehicle cabin’s collapse.
- Severe internal injuries and crushing injuries: These often require extensive surgeries, intensive care, and long-term rehabilitation.
- Amputations or disfigurement: Caused by entrapment under the trailer or violent shearing forces.
- Wrongful death: Many underride collisions are unsurvivable due to the nature and severity of the impact.
If your family is facing the long-term consequences of an underride collision, Ashby Thelen Lowry may be able to help you secure the compensation needed for ongoing care, lost income, and future needs. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation today.
Who May Be Liable for Georgia Underride Collisions, Injuries, and Fatalities?
Establishing liability in underride collisions requires an in-depth investigation and legal experience with commercial vehicle litigation.
Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys work with crash reconstruction experts, engineers, and safety specialists to identify the responsible parties, which may include:
- Trailer manufacturers: For designing or producing trailers without underride guards or guards that failed under stress.
- Trucking companies and fleet operators: For failing to install or maintain rear or side underride protections or for putting unsafe vehicles on the road.
- Truck drivers: For stopping improperly, blocking travel lanes, or operating without required lighting and reflectors.
- Third-party maintenance contractors: For neglecting repairs to safety systems such as reflective tape, lighting, and underride guards.
- Parts manufacturers or distributors: When underride protection systems fail due to defective components.
Our legal team may be able to hold every responsible party accountable and maximize your recovery. If you believe your injury or loss was caused by a failure to protect against underride, let us evaluate your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.
Why Underride Collision Cases Require Specialized Legal Representation
Underride collisions are among the most complex and emotionally devastating cases in personal injury law.
The legal process often involves:
- Federal and state trucking regulations.
- Product liability claims against trailer and parts manufacturers.
- Detailed crash reconstruction and engineering analysis.
- Expert testimony on medical and economic damages.
- Aggressive insurance company opposition.
Ashby Thelen Lowry is known for taking on serious injury and wrongful death cases and pursuing justice with integrity, preparation, and purpose. We handle these cases with the care and dedication they deserve, and we’re not afraid to go to trial when lives have been changed forever.
Our car accident attorney also focuses on the following areas:
Contact Ashby Thelen Lowry
If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a tractor-trailer underride collision, you need a law firm that understands what’s at stake. At Ashby Thelen Lowry, we offer trusted guidance, thorough investigation, and tireless advocacy for Georgia families facing life after a catastrophic underride event.
Call us today at (404) 777-7771 or online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We may be able to take your case and fight for the financial support and justice your family deserves.
