Here in Texas, trucks are almost synonymous with the state itself. Something about driving a pickup truck down the dusty roads of Texas just seems right. And when you think of a truck, you usually think “safe.” Right? Pickups are big and high off the road, a protective barrier between you and the dangers outside.
Well, it’s time to think again.
According to recent surveys, pickup truck safety actually lags far behind the safety of other cars and SUVs. Just last year, 1,343 Texas residents were killed in an accident while operating a pickup truck and another 4,400 Texans were severely injured.
If you were recently injured in a pickup truck crash, contact Tate Law Offices, P.C., for a free consultation today and seek the financial compensation you’re entitled to. We have a 99% success rate for car accident injuries and have the resources and experience to help you today.
Why Are Trucks Popular in Texas?
In Texas, pickup trucks are everywhere. In fact, one of every five trucks sold in the United States is sold in Texas. Trucks have become a symbolic tool of rugged authenticity and hard work – qualities that Texans are proud to hold.
Pickup trucks have a wide range of functional utility, the open cargo bed a blank canvas ready for any task. People use their trucks to haul equipment, tow other vehicles, and drive through all types of terrain.
Whether used for work, life on the farm, or as a luxury vehicle, trucks are undoubtedly popular in Texas.
Safety Ratings of Pickup Trucks
As attractive as many of the features are in pickup trucks, they just can’t keep up with other vehicles in terms of safety.
The frame of a truck is inherently more rigid than other vehicles, which certainly makes pickup trucks better for heavy-duty tasks. But that frame doesn’t collapse well in a front-end crash, sending that energy from the collision right into the passenger compartment and injuring its passengers.
In fact, passenger safety is a real concern with pickup trucks. In a 2019 study, more than half of the new pickup models earned only a “poor” or “marginal” rating for passenger safety.
Are SUVs and Cars Safer Than Trucks?
In vehicle tests for safety and crashworthiness, trucks routinely get lower scores than SUVs and cars. Not one of the top five ranked pickups in 2019 ranked by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety received top marks across the board in safety, something that was accomplished by all of the top-ranked SUVs and cars.
Furthermore, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most vehicle collision fatalities occur in rollover crashes, and pickup trucks are three times more likely to roll over than other SUVs or cars.
How Tate Law Offices, P.C., Can Help
If you have been injured in a collision involving a pickup truck, it’s essential to get legal advice as soon as possible. At Tate Law Offices, P.C., we’re committed to helping you find financial security after an accident. We’ll personally review every detail of your case and pursue the maximum amount of compensation so that you can focus on recovering and getting back to what’s important in your life.
Call us today for a free consultation and speak with one of our dedicated pickup truck accident attorneys today.