Underride/Override Collisions Attorney

Underride and override crashes are some of the most violent, life-shattering collisions on Michigan roads. When a passenger car meets the force of a fully loaded semi-truck or commercial vehicle, the results are catastrophic. A smaller vehicle can be shoved beneath a trailer or crushed under a truck’s front end in a matter of seconds—leaving families facing trauma, devastating injuries, or unimaginable loss.

Michigan’s harsh winters only magnify the danger. Ice sheets on I-94, whiteout conditions on I-75, or fast-moving traffic on I-96 create the perfect storm for these deadly crashes. When slippery roads, high speeds, and massive commercial trucks collide, even the most cautious driver may not stand a chance.

At Marko Law, we know that what follows these crashes isn’t just physical injury—but fear, grief, and the overwhelming question of who will be held accountable. We step in immediately. We fight hard. And we don’t back down. Our mission is simple: stand up for victims and families and demand justice from every negligent party involved.

What Are Underride and Override Collisions?

Underride Collisions

An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath the rear or side of a commercial truck. This usually occurs because the truck lacks proper underride guards—or because the guards that should prevent a deadly slide-under are broken, outdated, or poorly designed.

When an underride occurs, the upper portion of the car is sheared away. Even at moderate speeds, these collisions have extremely high fatality rates and often cause catastrophic injuries to survivors.

Override Collisions

An override crash occurs when a commercial truck runs over the top of a smaller vehicle. This can happen in stop-and-go traffic, at intersections, during congested highway backups, or when a truck driver is distracted or follows too closely.

Because trucks sit high off the ground and weigh tens of thousands of pounds, an override often crushes the vehicle beneath it—leaving victims with severe or fatal injuries.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Truck Driver

A truck driver may be liable when the crash involves:

• Unsafe driving
• Hours-of-service violations leading to fatigue
• Distracted driving, including phone use
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Trucking Company

Under respondeat superior, a trucking company is legally responsible for the actions of its drivers while on the job. They may also be independently liable for:

• Failing to install, repair, or maintain underride guards
• Neglecting brake maintenance or inspection requirements
• Forcing or incentivizing drivers to meet unrealistic or illegal delivery deadlines
• Hiring unqualified or unsafe drivers

Trailer or Guard Manufacturer

Sometimes the failure starts long before the truck ever hits the road. A manufacturer may be liable for:

• Defective underride guards
• Poorly designed rear or side protection systems
• Faulty braking or lighting equipment

Maintenance Contractors

Third-party repair shops or maintenance teams can be responsible if:

• They performed negligent or incomplete service
• They failed to identify dangerous mechanical issues
• Their work directly contributed to the crash

Government Agencies (When Applicable)

In limited circumstances, a government entity may be liable for:

• Dangerous road design
• Failure to maintain safe roadways
• Missing signs, defective signals, or unaddressed hazards

How Marko Law Investigates Truck Underride & Override Cases

Rapid Response to Preserve Evidence

When a truck is involved in a catastrophic crash, the companies behind it know they’re in trouble. We act before they can hide, “lose,” or destroy crucial evidence.

We immediately work to secure:

• Black box and ECM data showing speed, braking, and driver actions
• Preservation demands to stop the trucking company from repairing, moving, or disposing of the truck, trailer, or underride guards
• Dash cam footage, nearby surveillance, and 911 recordings that reveal what really happened on the road

This evidence often proves negligence—driver fatigue, speeding, late braking, or defective safety systems. Without quick action, it can vanish forever.

Reviewing Federal Safety Data

We dig deep into federal records through SAFER and the FMCSA SMS database, which track:

• Safety ratings
• Inspection histories
• Past violations
• Crash patterns
• Maintenance failures

These systems often expose trucking companies with a history of cutting corners, ignoring repairs, or placing unsafe vehicles on Michigan’s highways. Such patterns help us show that your crash wasn’t an isolated mistake—it was part of a dangerous, ongoing problem.

Working With Elite Accident Reconstruction Experts

Some law firms avoid complex truck cases because they require technical skill, expert testimony, and advanced reconstruction. We embrace them.

Our specialists help us:

• Recreate the crash sequence using roadway markings, vehicle damage, and digital modeling
• Evaluate underride guard performance to determine whether the guard failed, was defective, or was never properly installed
• Analyze braking data, speed, and driver reaction time to show whether the driver acted safely—or negligently

These findings are essential in negotiations and even more powerful in front of a jury.

Uncovering Systemic Failures

Truck underride and override crashes rarely happen because of one bad decision. They usually trace back to systemic negligence.

We investigate:

• Patterns of shortcuts in fleet maintenance or safety protocols
• Company policies that push drivers past legal limits, encouraging fatigue or speeding
• Prior lawsuits, regulatory violations, or FMCSA sanctions that show a reckless disregard for safety

When companies put profits ahead of people, we expose it.

Compensation Available to Victims

Medical Expenses and Future Treatment

Underride and override collisions often cause catastrophic injuries that require:

• Emergency surgeries
• Long-term rehabilitation
• Assistive devices
• Medications and ongoing specialist care

Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity

Serious injuries can keep you out of work for weeks, months, or permanently. Compensation may cover:

• Past lost income
• Future lost wages
• Reduced earning ability if you can no longer work the same job

Pain and Suffering

The physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of dignity that come with these collisions are immense. Michigan law allows victims to seek damages for:

• Chronic pain
• PTSD
• Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Loss of Consortium

Catastrophic injuries don’t just impact the victim—they affect spouses and partners too. Loss of consortium damages may cover:

• Strained relationships
• Loss of companionship or intimacy
• Changes in family dynamics

Home and Vehicle Modifications

Victims with long-term disabilities may need:

• Wheelchair ramps
• Accessible bathrooms
• Specially equipped vehicles
• In-home nursing or assistance

Wrongful Death Damages for Families

When an underride or override crash takes a loved one’s life, Michigan’s wrongful death statute allows families to seek damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Pain and suffering of the victim before passing

What to Do After an Underride or Override Crash

Seek Medical Treatment Right Away

Even if you think you’re “okay,” your body may be masking internal injuries with adrenaline. Underride and override crashes often cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage

Do Not Speak to Trucking Company Insurers

After a serious commercial truck crash, the trucking company’s insurance team will move fast. Their job is simple: protect the company, not you.

Do not:

• Give a recorded statement
• Admit fault
• Downplay your injuries
• Sign anything

Preserve Photos, Dashcam Videos, and Witness Information

If you’re able—or if someone you trust can do it—capture every piece of evidence:

• Photos of the vehicles
• Skid marks and road conditions
• Dashcam footage
• Contact information for witnesses

Keep Damaged Clothing, Belongings, and Vehicle Parts

It may feel strange, but every piece of damage tells part of the story. Do not throw anything away. Physical evidence can help accident reconstruction experts show:

• How the crash occurred
• Vehicle speed and angles
• The force of impact
• Whether underride guards failed

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Immediately

Evidence in trucking cases disappears fast:

• Black box data can be overwritten
• Vehicles can be repaired or destroyed
• Companies may “lose” maintenance logs
• Witness memories fade

You Deserve Answers. You Deserve Justice.

Underride and override collisions don’t just break metal—they break lives. These crashes tear away a family’s safety, stability, and peace of mind in an instant. When a massive truck crushes or slides over a smaller vehicle, the aftermath is overwhelming: hospital bills, lost income, long-term injuries, and the emotional trauma no one ever prepares for.

At Marko Law, we stand up to trucking companies that put profits over human lives. We expose unsafe practices, challenge corporate negligence, and demand accountability from every responsible party. We fight hard—and we don’t back down. Ever.

If an underride or override crash has impacted your life, now is the time to reclaim control, protect your future, and surround yourself with a legal team that will go to battle for you.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: https://www.markolaw.com/
👥 Our Team: https://www.markolaw.com/staff