Watch Out for The Hidden Dangers of Big Trucks

American auto buyers love pickup trucks. Full-sized pickups are especially popular, outselling both compact and midsize trucks and accounting for 79 percent of the pickup truck market. These large vehicles make up roughly 20 percent of all new vehicles sold in the U.S.

Unfortunately, the large size of many newer full-sized and heavy-duty pickup trucks makes them extremely dangerous in collisions with smaller vehicles and pedestrians, according to Consumer Reports.

If you were injured in an accident caused by a truck driver, don’t hesitate to talk to an experienced truck accident attorney at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer. Our attorneys can review the specifics of the accident and explore your options for seeking compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. For a free case review with a compassionate truck accident attorney, call us today at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online.

Our attorneys have the Kentucky Courage to stand up to big insurance companies and fight for what is right for you.

A Major Safety Concern – Truck Blind Spots

While American drivers traveled fewer miles overall in 2020, there was an eight percent increase in the rate of fatalities and serious injuries from the previous year. Many factors contributed to this increase. Recent research suggests that the growing proportions of modern pickup trucks in the U.S. may be a significant factor.

According to GM spokespeople, today’s buyers want larger pickup trucks because they provide greater ground clearance for off-road driving, more towing capacity, and more storage space. Spokespeople from both GM and Ford also say more powerful trucks require larger grilles to allow for superior engine cooling for towing.

However, the height and long hoods of modern pickup trucks create large blind spots, which can make it difficult for pickup drivers to see smaller vehicles or pedestrians such as small children in front of the vehicle. New full-sized trucks have front blind spots that are on average 11 feet longer than sedans and 7 feet longer than SUVs, according to an industry analysis by Consumer Reports.

The average hood height of modern pickup trucks has increased by roughly 11 percent since 2000. Some of today’s heavy-duty pickups have hoods just as tall or taller than the roofs of smaller cars. The weight of new pickup trucks also increased by an average of 24 percent between 2000 and 2018. Many newer full-sized pickups exceed 4,000 pounds.

Where Are These Blind Spots?

Drivers of today’s big pickup trucks must contend with the wider blind spots that make it difficult to see other road users:

• In the front – Big pickup trucks are tall vehicles with long hoods to accommodate large, high-capacity engines. When pickup drivers run into other road users in their front blind spots, the resulting “front over” collisions can leave victims with serious or fatal injuries. Research shows the majority of all fatal frontover collisions involve pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs. A rollover accident may occur in a driveway as the driver is maneuvering the pickup. Small children are especially at risk of frontover accidents.
• Along each side – Large pickups have large side mirrors, but mirrors alone aren’t always enough to cover blind spots. A big pickup truck has significant blind spots along each side of the truck’s cab, just behind and to the side of the cab doors.
• To the rear – If pickup drivers are towing trailers or driving with toppers or camper shells, rear visibility may be restricted. Even when a pickup truck bed is completely clear, the height of the tailgate can still obstruct a driver’s view for several feet to the rear.

Deadly Truck Dimensions

When modern pickup trucks collide with pedestrians, the tall hood and high bumper of the truck are more likely to cause serious injuries than the front of a smaller vehicle. The points of impact in a rollover pedestrian accident can result in direct trauma to a pedestrian’s head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Big pickups are also more likely to knock pedestrians to the ground and run them over.

Large vehicles such as big pickups generally do not perform well in handling or braking safety trials. When a big pickup truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the driver of the smaller vehicle is 1.59 times more likely to die than they would be in a crash that didn’t involve a pickup truck.

Another Risk Factor – Fatigued Truck Drivers

Big blind spots and massive frames are not the only risk factors in pickup truck accidents. Many modern drivers are dangerously fatigued on public roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowsy driving can be just as hazardous as drunk driving.

Studies suggest that just 18 hours of sleep deprivation can have the same cognitive effects as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours of sleep deprivation, drivers can have cognitive impairments equal to those experienced by drivers who are legally intoxicated.

Fatigued truck drivers are significantly more likely to cause serious accidents. Drowsy drivers can have delayed reaction times, drift out of designated lanes, follow dangerously close behind other vehicles, or even veer off the road entirely.

Truck Accident Statistics

In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the following pickup accident statistics:

• In 2019, pickup truck occupants accounted for 28 percent of overall traffic fatalities, a number that was 30 percent in 2010. Pedestrians and other nonoccupants made up 20 percent of traffic fatalities in 2019, a number that was 15 percent in 2010.
• There were 19 more light-truck occupant fatalities in 2019 accidents compared to the previous year, an increase of 0.2 percent.
• There were 2,000 more pickup truck occupant injuries in 2019 accidents than there were in 2018, an 0.8 percent increase.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today

At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our dedicated truck accident attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address your needs. When you hire us to represent you in a personal injury accident claim, you will work with a knowledgeable attorney who can explore all of your legal options.

To discuss the details of your Lexington, Kentucky pickup truck accident case, call us now at (877) 809-5352 or contact us online for your free initial consultation.

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