The Hazards of Riding in the Bed of a Pickup Truck
Under Georgia law, as set out in O.C.G.A. § 40-8-79, it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 18 to ride as a passenger in the bed of a pickup truck on any interstate highway in the state. Even though it is not illegal for those over the age of 18 to ride in the bed of a truck or for minors to do so on small roadways, this dangerous behavior can result in serious injury or death.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute reminds pickup truck owners that the beds of pickup trucks are designed to carry cargo, not people. They are not designed to provide protection for people in the event of a crash. Children and adults alike can be easily ejected from the pickup truck bed at even low speeds if the vehicle goes around a sharp curve or swerves to avoid an obstacle or accident. In the event of a serious crash, pickup truck bed occupants are left without any protection and can be thrown from the beds of the truck or crushed in the event of a rollover.
States vary as to their laws concerning riding in the beds of pickup trucks. Some thirty states, including Georgia, have laws designed to protect children. In many states it remains legal for adults to ride in pickup truck beds, though increasing safety concerns can result in changes to local laws in years to come.
Exploring the Option of Seats for Your Pickup Truck Bed
In recent years, a few companies have begun selling seats that can be installed in the back of pickup trucks. The seats come equipped with seatbelts and their purpose is to more safely protect pickup bed riders. As most states allow adults to ride in the bed of trucks, the seats appear legal. It is important for consumers to know, however, that these seats have not been federally approved or subjected to any crash tests. Pickup bed riders are still left extremely vulnerable in the event of a serious accident or rollover.
The best practice is to simply keep all passengers where they belong—within the cab of your truck. Placing passengers in the bed of a pickup truck is simply fraught with too many risks and could result in serious injury or death.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
Though not illegal for those over the age of 18, it is highly dangerous for anyone to ride in the bed of a pickup truck. Unsecured passengers can be hurt or killed in the event of an accident. If you have been injured in a car accident, the Georgia Auto Accident Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, are here to help. Our firm accepts car and truck accident cases across Georgia and in the greater Southeast and we bring over 39 years of experience to your automobile accident case as well as strive to provide you with the best legal outcome possible. Prompt action is vital to the success of your automobile accident case. As such, do not delay in seeking legal assistance as your time to file a claim after the injury is limited. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.