St. Louis Pickup Truck Accident Attorney

Injured in a Pickup Truck Accident? Call 1-800-CAR-CRASH

Pickup trucks are popular in Missouri, especially in rural areas where people often need them to haul farm products, equipment, sporting gear, and more. However, pickup truck drivers and passengers are often in a precarious position when a crash occurs, especially when compared to the safety of passengers in cars, minivans, or SUVs. A number of factors can turn a pickup truck crash from an annoying inconvenience into a tragedy.

Seat Belt Use in Missouri

Seat belt use among pickup truck drivers and passengers is lower than nearly any other group of drivers, including teenagers in all vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In most states, seat belt use among pickup truck occupants averaged 63 percent in recent years, much lower than the 79 percent national average for other types of vehicles. Missouri is no exception: 64 percent of Missouri pickup truck drivers and passengers are buckled up at any given time, compared to 73 percent of other vehicle drivers and 66 percent of teenagers, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Since almost 70 percent of those who die in auto accidents each year are not wearing seatbelts at the moment of the fatal crash, seat belt use is crucial to protecting the lives of those who use pickup trucks.

Child Seat Use

The back seat is the safest place for children in any type of child safety seat or booster seat. It’s also the safest place for anyone who is not at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and/or 90 pounds, according to the NHTSA. However, many pickup trucks don’t have back seats, so children who ride in them face an increased risk of injury in a crash. Parents who strap their kids in securely must also remember to turn off the pickup truck’s airbags – rear-facing child seats especially may cause severe harm to the child if they collide with an airbag during a crash.

Weight and Center of Gravity

Even pickup truck drivers who buckle up and who make sure their kids are properly secured face greater risks on the road; however, because the weight and center of gravity in a pickup truck differ from other passenger vehicles. Adding or removing a tailgate, truck cap, camper, trailer, cargo, and/or a tool box all change the weight and center of gravity in the vehicle, making it handle differently around curves and corners and when making an emergency maneuver like a swerve. If a driver is not adequately prepared for the difference, a serious accident can result.

St. Louis Pickup Truck Accident Accident Lawyers Seeking Justice for Our Clients

Pickup truck accidents can cause serious injuries. These can be made worse by conditions inside the vehicle, conditions on the road, and the driver’s own state of distraction or fatigue. We’re dedicated to helping those injured in pickup truck accidents figure out what happened and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions. Our knowledgeable St. Louis truck accident attorneys are available by phone today for a free, confidential consultation. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, please call us at 1-800-CAR-CRASH.