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Philadelphia Pickup Truck Accident Attorneys

There are enough causes of motor vehicle accidents placing drivers of small passenger cars, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk of serious injury or death, without negligent or reckless pickup truck drivers adding to the mix. Most people don’t see pickup trucks as a threat, and while not every pickup driver operates his or her vehicle with disregard to the safety of others, a considerable amount of them do.

A pickup truck is considered to be a normal passenger vehicle; therefore, unlike large commercial vehicles, pickup truck motorists are not required to get a specialized driver’s license. Although a commercial driver’s license is only required for the operation of a commercial vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds, pickup trucks, which can weigh anywhere between 6,000 to 8,500 pounds, still pose severe consequences to those involved in an accident.

It is common for drivers of large vehicles like Hummers, pickup trucks, and even commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses to often feel a false sense of security. Because their vehicles are larger than most of the other vehicles on the road and weigh thousands of pounds more than other vehicles, there is often a tendency to drive over the speed limit, text while driving, or violate other laws. These drivers believe that their vehicle won’t sustain much damage and they won’t suffer serious injuries or be killed in the event of a crash. Even if pickup truck drivers don’t suffer injuries in an accident, the odds that others involved in the accident will suffer injury is very likely.

Because pickup trucks are higher off the ground than small passenger cars and motorcycles, in an accident, the pickup bumper does not typically directly hit the bumper of a car and directly hits a motorcycle. As a result, a pickup truck’s bumper strikes a smaller car’s hood or side panel, increasing the chances that occupants will suffer serious injury. When a pickup truck hits a motorcycle, the consequences can be even more severe.

Pickup truck drivers who are negligent place the lives of their passengers at risk, especially those they allow to travel in the vehicle’s cargo area, which is extremely dangerous. Pickup truck cargo areas do not meet occupant safety standards that apply to passenger seating positions. In many situations, pickup truck drivers will have their passengers sit in the cargo space or flatbed because there are space limitations inside the cab of the truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 1994-2000, the deaths of 63 children between the ages of 1 and 17 per year were connected to the occupation of pickup truck cargo areas.

In Pennsylvania, people under the age of 18 are prohibited from riding in cargo pickup truck areas; however, some exceptions include if the cargo area is enclosed or if the truck is participating in farming, a parade, or hunting activities. Nevertheless, riding in a pickup truck’s cargo space is potentially lethal.

The Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily know what is at stake for those injured or family members of those killed in crashes caused by negligent pickup truck drivers. Our law firm is recognized for our successful track record in holding negligent parties liable and helping injury victims obtain full and just compensation. To learn more about how we can help, call (800) 421-9595 for a free consultation.

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(800) 421-9595
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