Consider These Three Factors When Thinking About The Safety Of A Pickup Truck

With the prevalence of SUVs on the road these days it can be easy to forget about pickup trucks, but these types of vehicles have unique challenges when thinking about how to avoid a New Haven auto accident and prevent injuries. While there are many of the same concerns like not driving while distracted or under the influence of drugs and alcohol, not speeding and wearing a seat belt, there are some additional things you will need to think about when driving a pickup truck.

Pickup trucks can be quite convenient as they make transporting goods much easier than driving a standard sized vehicle. The design of a pickup truck gives the driver a lot more flexibility when it comes to traveling and storing items that are large and would not fit in a traditional vehicle. Pickup trucks also provide the ability to tow items that are heavy and need to be moved like trailers, boats and camping equipment. All of these things make a pickup truck an appealing vehicle for many who have these types of needs.

These types of trucks also have some downsides as well. Pickup trucks often have low gas mileage ratings and require a lot of gas to get to and from your destination. These vehicles also have limited space for passengers, although some higher end trucks do offer plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. When deciding whether you want to drive a car/SUV or a pickup truck you will want to take these items into consideration.

There are also some additional safety concerns that you may not think about when considering to purchase a pickup truck. These safety concerns go beyond the typical concerns that come with driving a standard sized vehicle. It is important to understand these concerns before you start to drive a pickup truck.

1.) The weight and size of a pickup truck is often significantly more than that of a car or SUV. The size of these vehicles is often what puts them at greater risk of getting into an accident. For instance, the higher your center of gravity is, the more likely you are to be involved in a rollover accident. Pickup trucks often have one of the highest centers of gravity of any vehicle that is available to purchase.

2.) We often talk about blind spots when we talk about commercial vehicles, but pickup trucks also have significant blind spots that you will have to deal with when driving one of these vehicles. A blind spot can put you in a situation where you’re not able to see the traffic either in front of you, the side of you or behind you. This problem has been met with cameras for pickup trucks that cover some of these blind spots, but unfortunately in many cases they still exist.

3.) While it is definitely convenient to be able to haul large amounts of cargo in a pickup truck it can also present a major safety concern. If the cargo is not properly secured it can shift in transit and this could affect the weight of the vehicle and put you at risk of getting into an accident because you have lost control of the truck. If this happens and you can feel it before the worst happens you should pull over to the side of the road and work to adjust your cargo.

Pickup trucks are convenient and offer a lot of upsides when considering what type of vehicle you want to drive, but they also present some additional challenges that could lead to a New Haven auto accident that you might not experience with other vehicles. Accidents happen with all types of vehicles, but there are certain safety issues that you should understand when it comes to driving a pickup truck.

When an accident happens you want an attorney who has experience with your type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.