Deadly trucking accidents have parents upset with U.S. lawmakers

On Behalf of Holmes & Wiseley, P.C.

Michigan parents should know that attempts to get a federal bill passed to require better and more underride guards on big rigs in this country have been delayed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has been a year since the Stop Underrides Act 2017 was introduced, and parents who have lost children in an underride crash are still waiting for a hearing on the bill to be scheduled. They are hoping it comes about when the new Congress convenes in January.

Current federal requirements for the underride guards on the back end of big trucks are not adequate to protect the occupants in a multi-vehicle crash even at a low speed. At the urging of citizens, U.S. Senator Todd Young, R-Indiana, is giving the bill his attention, and he could attend underride crash tests planned to be performed in Washington D.C. in early spring 2019. The bill would require new standards to improve existing rear guards and add side and front guards on trucks. Trucking manufacturers are making progress now toward strengthening the underride guards on their trucks.

In 2011, 19 percent of multi-vehicle crashes involved rear-end collisions with big rigs, and 260 people died as a result of those truck accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recognizing the need for better standards is also onboard urging the government to work on new legislation regarding underride guards for trucks.

Those families who are involved in commercial vehicle accidents might first want to seek the aid of a personal injury attorney. Accidents such as this can cause catastrophic pain and suffering along with permanent disability or even death of a loved one. A law office that deals with motor-vehicle accident cases and whose attorneys understands the ever-changing laws might be able to help parties affected by a tractor-trailer crash.

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