Lumberton, NC — September 18, 2025, one person was injured due to a truck accident at some point in the afternoon along Interstate Highway 95.

According to authorities, the accident took place on I-95 in the vicinity southwest of State Highway 72.

Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision occurred between a pickup truck and the trailer of an 18-wheeler. The pickup apparently become wedged beneath the 18-wheeler's trailer. One person reportedly suffered injuries of unknown severity; they were flown to an area medical facility in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional information pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—is not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a pickup becomes lodged under the trailer of an 18-wheeler, most people instinctively think the smaller vehicle must have been at fault. But that overlooks one of the most dangerous and poorly understood hazards on the road: underride collisions. These are the kinds of crashes where the design and operation of the truck itself may play just as large a role—if not larger—than the behavior of the other driver.

The public rarely hears about underride crashes, but those of us who investigate them know they often point to one key question: Was the trailer visible and properly equipped to prevent this exact outcome? That includes whether it had a properly maintained underride guard, whether the trailer was fully within the lane, and whether lighting or reflective markings were adequate for daytime or low-light conditions.

It’s also not clear from the reporting whether the truck was moving or stopped at the time of the crash—and that distinction matters. If the trailer was slowly merging or changing lanes, and the pickup was in its blind spot, visibility and timing become critical. If the trailer was stopped or partially blocking a lane, the question shifts to whether the truck driver gave enough warning—or had any reason to be there at all.

In underride cases, the margin for error is razor-thin. I’ve seen situations where a truck was just a few feet off the lane line, or failed to maintain reflective tape, and that made the trailer practically invisible until it was too late. That kind of oversight isn’t always obvious, but when someone ends up wedged under a trailer, the physical damage often tells only half the story.

That’s why it’s essential for investigators to document the scene thoroughly, including the trailer’s condition, its position in the lane, and any visible warning features. Without that, the deeper causes can get missed—and the wrong conclusions can follow.

Key Takeaways

• This appears to involve an underride collision, which raises questions about the trailer’s visibility and equipment.
• Whether the truck was moving or stopped is critical to understanding how the crash occurred.
• Proper lane positioning, underride guards, and reflective markings are essential safety measures that must be reviewed.
• The extent of the damage doesn’t necessarily indicate fault; only a close investigation can determine what went wrong.
• Responsibility may rest not just with the drivers, but with how the truck was maintained, positioned, and operated.