Very sad. I've always wondered why there are no side underride guards in the US, but apparently they are not very effective for cars. Might have helped a little in this case though.
Relevant:
"The U.S. government doesn't require tractor-trailers to have front or side underride guards. In Europe, front underride guards have been required on large trucks since 1994 to protect passenger vehicle occupants in crashes with combined speeds of about 35 mph. Europe also requires side guards to protect pedestrians and bicyclists but not people in passenger vehicles. The Institute has found that front and side underride guards have the potential to reduce injury risk.
In a 2012 IIHS study of fatal crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles, an estimated 63 percent involved the front of a truck, 22 percent involved the side and 15 percent the rear. Analyses of smaller samples of fatal crashes found that 88 percent involving the side of the large truck and 82 percent involving the rear produced underride."
From NHTSA to weigh new underride guard rule
Relevant:
"The U.S. government doesn't require tractor-trailers to have front or side underride guards. In Europe, front underride guards have been required on large trucks since 1994 to protect passenger vehicle occupants in crashes with combined speeds of about 35 mph. Europe also requires side guards to protect pedestrians and bicyclists but not people in passenger vehicles. The Institute has found that front and side underride guards have the potential to reduce injury risk.
In a 2012 IIHS study of fatal crashes between large trucks and passenger vehicles, an estimated 63 percent involved the front of a truck, 22 percent involved the side and 15 percent the rear. Analyses of smaller samples of fatal crashes found that 88 percent involving the side of the large truck and 82 percent involving the rear produced underride."
From NHTSA to weigh new underride guard rule