While some drivers are downsizing their rides to SmartCars, Fiats, and Hondas, others are upsizing to pickup trucks. Their larger size and capacity to carry more make them an attractive option for city drivers and rural drivers alike. Accidents occur with trucks, injuries happen, and you can find yourself in need of a West Virginia truck accident attorney to get the compensation you need.
Safety for passenger vehicles—cars—has improved greatly in the past 50 years. Seat belts, mirrors, airbags, rear-end cameras and other additions make driving much safer than before. Unfortunately, safety for pickup trucks hasn’t improved quite as much despite the same improvements. They still have many of the same safety features, but do not have the same safety record as cars.
Is Bigger Truly Better?
That’s the thinking of many people who upsize their ride to a pickup truck. But the quality of the truck is actually more important.
For one thing, pickup trucks have the same problem as SUVs—they’re heavier and have a higher center of gravity than a passenger vehicle. This makes them prone to rollovers because of the higher center of gravity. The center of gravity is even higher in a passenger truck than an SUV, making them more prone to rollovers.
If the pickup doesn’t have a load in the truck bed, the driver could have a problem with handling and traction. But if the cargo isn’t properly loaded, the driver may also have problems with steering and controlling the vehicle.
Automakers have not been as fast to equip pickups with automatic emergency braking (AEB), and they are less likely to have crash avoidance equipment than cars or SUVs.
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that drivers and passengers of pickup trucks are 2.5 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a traffic accident. Consumer Reports also reports that pickups are, for the most part, not nearly as safe as passenger cars.
Pickups are also the more prevalent vehicle driven on rural roads where street lighting is less or nonexistent, and speeds are generally higher.
What Should You Do?
We’re not saying that you shouldn’t drive a pickup truck. If you prefer the ride of a pickup truck or have a need for one, you don’t need to switch to a car. Pickups are also more dangerous to cars, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians than the average passenger vehicle.
Therefore, it’s important to understand this point when choosing or driving a pickup. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and one may not be better than the other in a crash.
Driving with safety in mind is one of the top things to do whether you’re in a Honda Civic or a Ford F-250. Even if you’re focused on your own safe driving, chances are there’s someone else on the road that isn’t. It’s your responsibility to be prepared to respond quickly and maneuver away from a potential accident when possible.
Of course, one of the most important things is to wear your seat belt every time, no matter what you’re driving. The 2018 West Virginia Highway Safety Plan found that drivers and passengers in pickup trucks were much less likely to wear seatbelts than those in cars.
West Virginia Truck Accident Attorney
An accident of any kind can happen anytime, anywhere. Once the initial shock is over, and you move into recovery mode, you have more details to handle. Get help from an experienced attorney to guide you through the process, make sure you’re treated fairly and get the compensation you need.
The Love Law Firm is ready to help. Meet with Chad Love, a leading truck accident attorney to find out if you can obtain needed compensation. Contact us today at 304-344-5683 or use our online contact form to schedule your appointment with one of our attorneys. We’ll discuss your case with you, explain your options, and what to expect in an accident settlement.
