One of the reasons that people in America tend to prefer large vehicles is because they believe that these vehicles are safer. There is some truth to this. Size and weight differences play a big role in car accidents. As a general rule, those in smaller vehicles are more likely to be injured.
One reason is that a larger vehicle provides more physical space. The cabin isn’t as compact, and the engine compartment is larger. Every inch of space takes a lot of the energy out of a crash, so it doesn’t reach the occupants’ bodies. They’re also less likely to be pinned in the vehicle.
In terms of mass, energy transfer always works from a larger object onto a smaller object. This is why a large pick-up truck is more likely to push a small sedan backward in a crash. Unless there is a massive discrepancy in the speed at which the two vehicles are traveling, more energy is going to be unleashed on the smaller vehicle. This can lead to more extensive injuries.
A rising danger on the roads
The problem that this has created is that cars in the U.S. is that vehicles are getting bigger. Pick-up trucks, in particular, are larger than ever. This means that drivers who have to share the road with these oversized vehicles are facing more and more danger. When the drivers of bigger vehicles make negligent mistakes and cause car crashes, they may be safer because of their large vehicles, but everyone else is in more danger of suffering severe injuries.
As a result, those who have been injured in accidents caused by these drivers – or who have lost loved ones in fatal crashes – need to know how to seek financial compensation. This can cover everything from medical bills to funeral costs to lost wages.
