Don’t risk suffering severe injuries or receiving a traffic ticket by riding in the back of a truck. Virginia law prohibits most people under 16 from riding in a truck’s bed. However, even those old enough to legally ride in a truck’s bed shouldn’t, as they have little protection from truck crashes.
While Marks & Harrison encourages everyone to wear seatbelts and avoid riding in truck beds, you should also know that you could recover compensation after a collision even when you weren’t obeying the law.
To learn more, contact us today and speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can when it’s legal to ride in the back of a truck and what compensation you could recover after a crash.
What Makes Riding in the Back of a Truck So Dangerous?
While it’s legal to ride in the back of a truck if you’re not a minor (as in 16 or older), riding inside the truck’s cab is much safer.
Some factors that make riding in the back of a truck dangerous include the following:
- No Seatbelts – Truck beds don’t have seatbelts. In a sudden stop or crash, there’s nothing to keep passengers from being thrown around or out of the vehicle.
- No Airbags – Airbags help reduce impact injuries during a collision. Without this protection, passengers in the back are far more likely to suffer severe trauma should a crash occur.
- Possibility of Being Ejected – With no restraints or enclosure to protect them, it’s easy for someone to be thrown from a truck’s bed during a wreck, sharp turn, or sudden stop. Ejections often lead to life-threatening injuries or deaths.
- Exposure to Weather and Road Debris – Passengers in the truck bed are exposed to wind, rain, flying rocks, and other debris. These dangers can cause potentially fatal injuries or make it difficult to stay balanced while the vehicle is moving.
- Unsecured Seating and Shifting Cargo – Truck beds aren’t made to carry people, and passengers may be seated on unstable surfaces or beside loose cargo. Items can shift or tip during turns or sudden movements, potentially injuring anyone in the back.
- Rough Ride – Pickup trucks often bounce more in the rear, especially when empty. This rough ride makes it harder for passengers to stay upright and increases their risk of falling or being violently jostled.
What Injuries Can Occur When You Ride in the Back of a Truck?
Potential injuries from riding in the back of a truck include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
A fall or ejection from a truck bed can cause passengers’ heads to strike the pavement or another surface. A hard impact with the ground may result in a concussion, skull fracture, or long-term brain damage, even if there are no visible wounds.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A hard landing after an ejection or sudden jolt while riding in a truck’s bed can injure the spine, potentially causing paralysis or permanent nerve damage. These injuries often require lifelong care and may severely limit injured passengers’ mobility.
Broken Bones
Bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and face are especially vulnerable during crashes or rollovers. Fractures can be painful, require surgery, and take months to heal, especially when multiple bones are involved. Anyone riding in a truck’s bed is particularly prone to rollover injuries, as they don’t have the truck’s cab to protect them.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from hitting the side of the truck, other passengers, or the ground can damage internal organs. These injuries may not be visible right away but are often life-threatening if not treated quickly.
Lacerations and Abrasions
Flying debris, rough road surfaces, or sharp edges in the truck bed can cause deep cuts and scrapes. These wounds may require stitches and carry a risk of infection or permanent scarring.
Crush Injuries
Passengers riding in a truck’s bed can become pinned by shifting cargo or be thrown against parts of the truck. This can lead to crushed limbs, internal bleeding, or compartment syndrome, a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery.
Can a Person Riding in the Back of a Truck Still Seek Damages If They Are Hurt in a Truck Accident?
Yes, someone who suffers injuries while riding in a truck’s bed during a collision can still seek compensation for their losses. However, they’ll face an uphill legal battle.
While riding in a truck’s bed isn’t illegal for those 16 and older, it’s undeniably dangerous. From an insurance company’s perspective, anyone injured while riding in a truck’s bed puts themselves in danger and increases their risk of severe or fatal injuries.
That said, the fact that someone rode in a truck’s bed does not mean they caused or hold liability for a crash or are responsible for their injuries. Whoever caused the crash should pay for the injured passenger’s injuries. The sticking point in these cases is Virginia’s negligence laws, which say someone cannot recover compensation after an accident if they contributed to the collision in any way. It’s up to the injured passenger to take their case to court and, with help from their truck accident attorney, prove why they should receive compensation.
What Types of Compensation Might You Be Eligible For?
If you sustained injuries while riding in the back of a truck, your truck accident claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damaged personal property (if applicable)
What If a Person Is Injured While Riding in the Back of a Truck as a Part of Their Job?
Someone hurt while riding in the back of a truck as part of their job may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. They can use their benefits to help pay for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. The worker may also have a third-party truck accident lawsuit against another driver or company involved in the crash, such as for allegations of reckless driving. Anyone injured while riding in a truck for work purposes should consult an attorney immediately.
Contact a Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer
Marks & Harrison has fought for injured Virginians for over 100 years and recovered millions for our clients. We’ll make the legal process as painless and straightforward as possible, and our testimonials demonstrate our commitment to customer service. You don’t owe any upfront fees if you hire us, so call now or complete our contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
