An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer of a commercial truck during a collision — either from the rear or the side. The geometry of these crashes is uniquely catastrophic: because trailer floors often clear the ground at or above a car’s roofline, the passenger compartment can be sheared or crushed at head level. Survivors face life-altering injuries. Many crashes of this type are fatal.
If a family member was killed or you suffered serious injuries in an underride truck accident in Fort Worth or anywhere in Tarrant County, you are navigating one of the most complex and emotionally devastating categories of crash litigation. Patterson Law Group is based here in Fort Worth, handles underride cases throughout Tarrant County and the surrounding region, and takes on this work with the seriousness it requires.
What is an underride accident?
Two distinct crash patterns fall under this category:
Rear underride occurs when a vehicle strikes the back of a trailer and slides under it. This is the most common type. It often happens when a truck stops abruptly, slows for a turn, or pulls onto a roadway from a stopped position — and a vehicle behind it cannot stop in time.
Side underride occurs when a vehicle slides under the side of a trailer, typically in a broadside collision, during a truck’s wide right turn across opposing traffic, or when a jackknifed trailer sweeps across lanes. Side underride crashes tend to produce severe outcomes because a vehicle’s side structure provides far less protection than its front or rear end.
Right after a Fort Worth truck crash, do this
The actions taken in the hours after an underride crash directly affect your ability to build a legal case. Here is what to do:
Seek emergency medical attention immediately — even if you feel capable of moving
Call 911 to ensure a police report is generated at the scene
Photograph the rear and sides of the trailer — document the underride guard, its condition, mounting points, any visible deformation, and all reflective markings before the truck is released
Collect names and contact information for any witnesses and responding officers
Call a truck accident lawyer before any conversation with the trucking company’s insurance representatives — physical evidence and electronic data can be gone within 24–48 hours
Hurt in an underride crash in Fort Worth or Tarrant County? Call Patterson Law Group at 817-784-2000 or contact us online for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
How underride crashes happen on Fort Worth roads
The I-35W corridor through Fort Worth has been in near-constant construction for years, and lane shifts, narrowed shoulders, and variable speed zones push trucks and passenger vehicles into tighter proximity than normal traffic patterns would produce. A truck that slows unexpectedly in a construction queue — or one that drifts across a lane shift marker — can create a rear underride hazard with almost no warning for the vehicle behind it.
The Alliance freight hub and the broader AllianceTexas inland port in north Fort Worth represent one of the highest concentrations of heavy commercial traffic in the state. Trucks running Loop 820 or merging onto I-35W South from Alliance carry freight at all hours, and the mix of overnight runs, fatigued drivers, and unlighted trailer sections on the stretch south toward downtown Fort Worth produces recurring visibility hazards. Wide turns at industrial access roads and distribution facility driveways near the Texas Motor Speedway area create side underride exposure when a trailer swings across opposing lanes.
Federal underride guard requirements
FMCSA regulations at 49 CFR Part 393.86 require commercial trailers to carry rear underride guards — steel assemblies mounted at the back of the trailer designed to prevent a passenger vehicle from sliding underneath in a rear collision. has documented persistent problems with the standard: many guards that comply with current federal minimums still fail in real-world crashes, collapsing or deforming in ways that permit vehicles to pass beneath the trailer.
There are no federal requirements for side underride guards at this time, though some forward-thinking carriers have voluntarily installed them.
When a required guard is missing, improperly maintained, or fails despite compliance, liability can extend well beyond the driver — to the carrier, the trailer manufacturer, and any maintenance contractor responsible for the equipment.
Who is liable in a Fort Worth underride truck accident?
Liability in an underride case typically involves multiple parties:
The truck driver — for stopping or maneuvering in a way that created the hazard, or for operating with deficient trailer lighting or reflective markings
The trucking company — for inadequate maintenance of guards and lighting systems, or for failing to train drivers on the risks they create when stopping or turning on busy roads
The trailer manufacturer — if the guard was defectively designed or manufactured, or failed in a way that a reasonably engineered product would not have
A maintenance contractor — if a failing or improperly installed guard was not identified and repaired during required inspections
When a guard meets federal minimum standards but still fails, there is often a strong products liability claim against the manufacturer that is separate from — and additional to — negligence claims against the driver and carrier. Because we try cases regularly in Tarrant County courts, we understand how Tarrant County juries respond to evidence of equipment failure and maintenance neglect.
Texas comparative fault
Texas operates under modified comparative fault: your recovery is reduced by your share of fault in the crash. If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover at all. If your fault is 50% or less, you can still recover — just at a reduced amount proportional to the other party’s share.
How we investigate underride accident cases
Evidence in these cases is fragile. Patterson Law Group moves quickly after being retained to:
Issue spoliation and preservation letters requiring the carrier to hold the trailer, guard, and all related components intact
Document the guard’s configuration, condition, and mounting hardware as of the crash
Obtain maintenance records and inspection logs for the guard and trailer lighting
Retain accident reconstruction and mechanical engineering experts to evaluate guard performance
Request federal compliance records for the carrier and the specific trailer involved
We handle commercial truck cases across North Texas on a regular basis — not just occasionally — so we know where the critical evidence is and how to secure it before it is gone.
Ready to speak with a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer? Call Patterson Law Group at 817-784-2000 or reach us online. Free consultation, no fee unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue if the underride guard was in place but still failed? Yes. Federal compliance sets the minimum bar — it does not immunize a manufacturer from liability when a guard fails in a foreseeable crash. If a guard met current standards but a better-designed alternative would have prevented the harm, a products liability claim against the manufacturer may be viable. We work with engineering experts to evaluate this question in every underride case we handle.
What if the truck had no underride guard at all? Absence of a required rear underride guard is a direct violation of 49 CFR Part 393.86. That violation is strong evidence of negligence on the part of both the driver and the carrier, and we document it thoroughly as a foundation of your case.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an underride truck accident in Texas? The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death in Texas is generally two years from the date of the crash (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Do not treat that window as a reason to wait — ELD data, maintenance records, and the trailer’s physical condition can be altered or lost within days of a crash. Contact a lawyer as early as possible.
Talk to a Fort Worth truck accident lawyer today
Underride truck accidents are among the most devastating crashes on Texas highways — and the litigation that follows is fought hard by experienced trucking company defense teams. Patterson Law Group offers free consultations for underride accident victims in Fort Worth and throughout Tarrant County. Call us at 817-784-2000 or . There is no fee unless we win.
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For more information, visit our main Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer page.