Are Semi-Trucks in South Carolina Supposed to Have Underride Guards?

In May of 2025, two people in their 30s died after their vehicle collided with a dump truck in South Carolina. The only positive news from this incident was that a child survived. Authorities noted that their vehicle impacted the rear of the dump truck, likely resulting in an “underride crash” that caused catastrophic injuries to the victims. If your loved ones passed away in a similar crash, you might wonder whether underride guards could have prevented their deaths. Can a South Carolina truck accident lawyer help you find answers?

The Department of Transportation Requires All Semi-Trucks to Have Rear Impact Guards

According to Section 5.1.9 of the Motor Carrier Safety Planner, every trailer and semi-trailer in the country must have rear impact guards. These are also known as “underride guards,” and they play an important role in traffic safety. With these guards in place, smaller vehicles cannot slip under the trailer. This is crucial, because the bottom edge of a trailer can literally shear off the roof of a smaller vehicle during high-speed collisions.

This shearing force can cause catastrophic injuries to all vehicle occupants. The injuries to the head and upper body may be instantly fatal, sometimes severing the head from the neck. The Department of Transportation also allows “other devices that prevent another vehicle from riding underneath.”

Not Everyone Is Confident About the Underride Guard Requirements 

Some have pointed out various limitations and concerns with the underride guard requirements. Some say that many underride guards are not strong enough to absorb impacts, and smaller vehicles may still slip underneath trailers even with these guards installed.

While the Department of Transport has detailed requirements for underride guards, some believe that certain trucking companies attach them in a fairly haphazard manner. If they are not connected to a sturdy part of the truck (such as the chassis), they may offer no purpose other than decoration.

Side Guards Are Still Optional

Another major issue is the lack of a side guard requirement. Cars may also slip underneath trailers in a T-bone collision, and this type of impact can be just as deadly as a “classic” underride crash. The vehicle may still suffer catastrophic damage to its upper section, causing fatal injuries to occupants.

Some believe that the Department of Transport will soon introduce new requirements for side guards. However, the trucking industry is notoriously opposed to requirements like these, citing increased costs and higher transport weights.

Can a South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer Help After an Underride Crash? 

A South Carolina truck accident lawyer may be able to help if your loved one passed away in an underride crash. While federal regulations mandate rear underride guards for all semi-trucks in the country, not everyone is confident about this measure. Some argue that the state and federal government should be doing more to protect motorists against the threat of underride crashes, and this is something you can explore with Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC. With our help, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss – so schedule a consultation today to get started.

Sources: 

csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=64&sub=138#:~:text=5.1.-,9%20Rear%2DEnd%20Protection%20(393.86),%2C%20and%20driveaway%E2%80%93towaway%20vehicles.

wrdw.com/2025/05/07/victims-idd-crash-involving-dump-truck-orangeburg-county/