Drivers preferring pickup trucks and SUVs to smaller vehicles may need to be careful when traveling on Idaho roads. Larger vehicles could inflict significant damage on smaller cars and pose a serious risk to pedestrians. Pedestrians hit by large vehicles may suffer fatal injuries from an SUV or pickup truck’s crushing weight.
Large vehicles and pedestrian accidents
Accidents with pedestrians could happen anywhere, even on busy highways. However, vehicles are more likely to drive near pedestrians on urban streets with much foot traffic. Drivers should be mindful of pedestrians out of safety concerns. In 2020 alone, 6,500 pedestrians died and 54,700 were injured because of auto-pedestrian collisions.
SUV and pickup truck drivers must be especially alert when making turns since the risks of hitting a pedestrian could be significant. Larger vehicles have greater blind spots than smaller ones, so the chances become greater they might not see someone in the intersection.
Exercising care when turning
Whether driving a car, truck, SUV or minivan, drivers must be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution. If a vehicle has a large blind spot, drivers might need to double-check to ensure no pedestrians are crossing the street when the vehicle turns.
Several negligent behaviors could lead to a vehicle hitting a pedestrian. Not stopping at stop signs or red lights or making illegal turns may lead to a pedestrian getting hurt. Driving under the influence or distracting behaviors may also cause fatal accidents. Moving violations and other illegal behaviors could establish the driver’s negligence contributing to the collision. Negligent drivers may face a civil lawsuit when they hurt others.