Why SUV and Truck Crashes Often Result in Catastrophic Harm

SUVs and pickup trucks are everywhere on Alabama roads, and many assume their size makes them safer. Families rely on them to protect loved ones, and workers depend on them to haul gear across long distances. But the same strength that feels like security can turn deadly in a crash.

These kinds of vehicles were involved in 118,885 crashes, nearly 45% of all collisions statewide, second only to passenger cars. Here’s why, and how our Alabama truck accident attorneys can help if one of these collisions changes your life.

Why Large Vehicle Accidents Cause Greater Damage

SUV and truck collisions often leave behind far worse destruction than standard car crashes. The extra weight they carry unleashes massive force on impact, crushing smaller vehicles and leaving devastating injuries in their wake.

Here’s what makes these wrecks so dangerous:

• Weight and Impact Force: Large vehicles weigh two to three times more than most passenger cars. That extra mass increases the energy released during impact, causing more severe damage to smaller vehicles and their occupants.
  
• Higher Bumper Levels: The height difference between SUVs, trucks, and low-profile cars makes these collisions particularly hazardous. Higher bumpers can intrude into the smaller vehicle, sending the force of the impact into the passenger area instead of the frame.
• Rollover Risk: SUVs have higher centers of gravity, making them more likely to roll during sudden turns or uneven road conditions. Rollovers often result in head trauma, spinal injuries, or fatalities.
  
• Limited Visibility: The height and design of large vehicles create wide blind spots, especially near the front and rear. These blind zones make it harder to see nearby cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, leading to collisions.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), pickups are nearly twice as likely to kill the driver of a car they struck compared to car-to-car crashes. For survivors, the outcome is often serious injuries that require extensive treatment and long-term care.

Severe Injuries in SUV and Truck Collisions

Even at lower speeds, the kinetic force of an SUV or pickup collision can cause debilitating injuries. Victims often face long recoveries and months of rehabilitation for:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Caused by violent jolts or head impacts that can lead to memory loss, cognitive changes, or permanent disability.
  
• Spinal Cord Damage or Paralysis: Compression or fractures in the spine can cause partial or total loss of movement, often resulting in lifelong mobility challenges.
  
• Multiple Fractures: The impact from heavy vehicles can crush limbs or ribs, often requiring surgeries, plates, and extended immobilization.
  
• Internal Organ Injuries: Rapid deceleration forces organs against the ribcage, causing internal bleeding or ruptures that demand emergency care.
  
• Burns and Deep Lacerations: Fires, shattered glass, and torn metal can leave lasting scars and increase the risk of infection.

Physical recovery may take years, but the emotional aftermath often lingers. Many survivors live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or fear of driving long after the crash.

Determining Liability in SUV and Truck Accidents

SUV and pickup truck accident cases are far more complex than a typical car crash claim. They usually involve an in-depth investigation into the vehicle’s design, maintenance records, and the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Here’s what skilled Alabama truck accident attorneys examine when building a case:

These cases involve technical evidence and multiple parties, making it essential to have a legal team that understands how to investigate SUV and truck accidents and help you seek fair compensation.

How Alabama Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

Large vehicle crashes often result in expensive hospital bills, complicated insurance claims, and mounting expenses if you cannot work. You need an attorney who understands the physics of large-vehicle impacts and knows how to prove what went wrong.

An experienced legal team can:

• Analyze every crash detail using photographs, official reports, and evidence collected at the scene.
• Work with qualified experts to clarify how the collision happened and the extent of the injuries.
• Handle all insurance communication to pursue a settlement for the full amount you’re owed.
• Determine who’s responsible, whether a negligent driver, manufacturer, or employer.
• Document long-term damages with medical records and financial proof of how the accident changed your life.

At The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our truck accident attorneys have the experience and resources to handle the toughest accident cases and get the results you deserve.

Get Experienced Legal Support for Your Accident Case

Crashes involving SUVs and trucks require attorneys who understand how vehicle design, weight, and visibility can lead to catastrophic injuries. Our Alabama truck accident attorneys have extensive experience proving liability in these complex, high-impact cases.

Contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one was injured in an SUV or truck crash.