An underride accident is one of the most devastating types of collisions that can occur on Michigan roads. These crashes happen when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a commercial truck trailer during a collision. Since the trailer sits high enough off the ground for a car to pass partially or fully underneath it, the impact often bypasses the vehicle’s safety systems entirely in these circumstances.
Although you may know that federal safety standards are supposed to prevent these kinds of crashes, those standards have not kept pace with the scale of the problem. An experienced Troy truck accident attorney can help you understand your specific rights and options if you or a loved one has been involved in one of these collisions.
Types of Underride Accidents
There are two primary categories of underride crashes, each presenting its own set of dangers:
- Rear underride occurs when a passenger vehicle strikes the back of a trailer and slides underneath it. This is the more commonly recognized type of underride crash.
- Side underride happens when a vehicle collides with the side of a trailer, typically during a turning maneuver or at an intersection. Side underride crashes are particularly dangerous because there are currently no federal requirements for side underride guards on commercial trailers.
Both types of underride collisions frequently result in catastrophic injuries, including severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord damage.
Federal Safety Standards and Their Limitations
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 223 and No. 224 require most trailers and semi-trailers to be equipped with rear impact guards. In 2022, NHTSA updated these standards under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, raising the performance threshold so that rear guards must now prevent passenger compartment intrusion at speeds up to 35 mph, an increase from the previous 30 mph standard.
On the front of the side underride, there is still no federal mandate requiring guards. NHTSA estimates that an average of 89 lives are lost each year in side underride crashes involving tractor-trailers. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0, introduced in Congress in February 2026, would require side guards on new trailers, but that legislation has not been signed into law as of this writing.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer With Khamo Law
If you or a loved one has been involved in an underride accident in Michigan, know that you may be entitled to substantial compensation by filing a personal injury claim. However, the trucking company and its insurer won’t make the process easy.
Reach out to our Troy truck accident attorneys at Khamo Law for a free consultation today at (248) 466-0606 to get started with your case. Our truck accident lawyers have won over $30 million for our clients, and we’re confident we can help you make the most of your claim as well.