Why Are Underride Crashes So Catastrophic?

When most people think about car-versus-truck collisions, they imagine the obvious danger: size and weight. But there’s an even more lethal risk that few know about—underride crashes.

These accidents are some of the deadliest on the road. They’re violent, often fatal, and tragically, they’re almost always preventable.

If you’ve found yourself here, chances are someone you love has been seriously hurt—or worse—in a Montana truck crash. You’re likely searching for answers, clarity, and a way forward. We’re here to help.

At Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP, our Montana truck accident attorneys, are CDL certified. We’ve undergone the same rigorous training as commercial drivers, which gives us rare insight into how these crashes happen and how they could have been avoided. That firsthand knowledge gives us a tactical edge when holding trucking companies and insurers accountable.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, we’re here to guide you. And to make things easier, we offer free case evaluations for crash victims and families across Montana.

What Is an Underride Accident?

An underride accident happens when a smaller passenger vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a large commercial truck, like a semi or trailer. These crashes are especially dangerous because standard safety features—like airbags and crumple zones—don’t have a chance to engage before the car is crushed.

Common causes include:

• A truck stopping suddenly, with little or no warning
• A poorly marked truck making a wide turn or blocking a road, especially at night
• Missing or defective underride guards

When a car goes under a trailer, the top of the vehicle is often ripped off, and the results are devastating—even at relatively low speeds. These are not just accidents. They’re preventable tragedies.

Why Are These Crashes So Devastating?

Most passenger vehicles simply aren’t built to withstand the force of a collision with a commercial truck. In these types of crashes—especially underride or rear-end collisions—many of the car’s safety features, like crumple zones and airbags, often fail to activate the way they would in a typical accident.

Without those protections absorbing the force, the first point of impact is often the windshield. The second? The people inside.

The result is often catastrophic. Victims frequently suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage or paralysis
• Amputations
• Internal injuries
• Wrongful death

In many cases, the impact is fatal. For those who survive, the road ahead is long—filled with medical bills, rehabilitation, and life-altering changes that affect nearly every part of daily life.

Jayne Mansfield’s Fatal Underride Crash & Safety Changes

One of the earliest and most widely publicized underride crashes happened in 1967 and involved Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield. She was riding in a car with her three children and two other adults when they struck the back of a stopped tractor-trailer on a dark highway in Louisiana. The car slid underneath the trailer, and the top was sheared off—instantly killing Mansfield and the other two adults. Miraculously, her children, who were in the back seat, survived.

At the time, most trailers weren’t equipped with rear underride guards—simple but critical safety devices that can prevent cars from sliding beneath a truck in a rear-end crash. Mansfield’s death shocked the public and sparked a national push for change.

In response, regulators introduced rules requiring rear underride guards on trailers. But for decades, these regulations were weak and poorly enforced. The trucking industry pushed back against stricter standards, and as a result, for decades drivers continued to suffer—and die— in rear-underride crashes.

It wasn’t until 2022 that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finally introduced a stronger federal rule. Under the new standard, trailers must now have rear guards capable of withstanding a rear-end collision from a passenger car traveling at 35 mph.

While this was a step in the right direction, it doesn’t go far enough. Many underride crashes happen at higher speeds, where these guards offer little protection. And despite strong evidence and widespread use in Europe, side underride guards—which could prevent vehicles from sliding under the sides of trailers—are still not required at all in the U.S.

Could My Underride Crash Have Been Prevented?

It’s one of the most pressing—and fiercely contested—questions in any truck accident case. And while trucking companies and their insurers often fight hard to avoid responsibility, the truth is that many underride crashes could have been prevented.

These collisions usually don’t happen out of nowhere. They happen because something went wrong:

• The truck didn’t have underride guards at all
• The guards were outdated, damaged, or poorly maintained
• The driver stopped suddenly in an unsafe location or failed to signal
• The truck wasn’t properly marked or lit, especially in low-visibility conditions
• The driver made a dangerous turn or backed up into the roadway

Who’s Responsible for an Underride Accident?

In underride cases, responsibility often doesn’t fall on just one party. That’s why it’s critical to work with an attorney who knows how to handle the complexity of trucking litigation—these cases aren’t like ordinary car accidents.

At Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP, we bring a unique perspective to these cases. As CDL-certified attorneys, we’ve trained like commercial drivers. We know how trucks should be operated, maintained, and safely equipped—and we recognize when corners have been cut. That insight gives us a distinct edge when it comes to uncovering negligence.

Depending on the facts, any of the following may be liable:

• The trucking company, for failing to install or maintain safety equipment
• The truck driver, for making unsafe or unlawful maneuvers
• The manufacturer, if the underride guard or lighting systems were defective
• A third-party service provider, such as a maintenance or logistics company

We look at everything—not just who was driving, but how the truck was built, maintained, and managed.

Can I File an Underride Accident Lawsuit in Montana?

Yes. In Montana, if you or someone you love was harmed due to negligence—whether from a trucking company, driver, or another party—you have the right to seek compensation.

But these cases are often challenging. Trucking companies and insurers have deep resources, and they’ll work aggressively to shift blame or minimize what you’re owed.

That’s where our team comes in.

Earning our CDL wasn’t about a certificate—it was about commitment. We believe in going the extra mile to represent our clients at the highest level. We’ve taken the time to understand the trucking industry from the inside out—because that’s what it takes to win these cases and protect Montana families.

Since 1978, we’ve been doing just that. We understand the law. We know how to hold powerful companies accountable. And more than anything, we know how to listen—because every case begins with understanding what matters most to you.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone.

Underride accidents can change lives in an instant. The pain, the confusion, the overwhelming weight of it all — it’s more than anyone should face alone. But you don’t have to. You have options. You have rights. And you have a team ready to stand by you.

Contact Our Montana Trucking Accident Lawyers.

At Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP, we’ve been helping Montana families navigate life after a truck crash for over 40 years. We don’t just handle cases — we fight for real people with compassion, determination, and strength.

Call us today at 406.442.7830, or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a FREE case evaluation.

Let us help you take the first step toward justice and recovery.