Three large pickup trucks that serve as workhorses for construction crews, farmers and small-business owners are not providing good protection from side crashes, according to tests conducted by the insurance industry which struck the side of the vehicles with a barrier moving at 31 miles per hour to imitate the front end of a pickup truck or sports utility vehicle.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave low marks to the 2009 versions of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan in side crash tests.

The Ram, equipped with standard side air bags, earned the second-lowest score of “marginal.”  The Titan and Silverado received the lowest mark of “poor” when tested without optional side air bags.

When the trucks were tested with the optional safety equipment, the Titan’s rating improved to “marginal,” but the Silverado continued to receive a “poor” rating.  The institute said the Silverado’s test results also applied to its twin, the GMC Sierra 1500.

The institute attributed the Silverado’s low ratings to a combination of a poor side structure and a lack of side torso air bags.  The optional side curtain airbags worked well in protecting motorists’ heads, but a person’s upper body would remain unprotected even with the optional side curtain air bags.

According to David Zuby, the institute’s vice president, “The size, weight and height of these large pickups should help them ace the side tests just like the other large pickups we’ve tested.  Not these three.”  Zuby said that occupants of passenger cars typically are more vulnerable in a side crash because their bodies are in line with the fronts of vehicles.  But, he said, trucks faired poorly even with the higher seating positions.

GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said the Silverado and Sierra received top scores in the government’s front- and side-impact tests.

If you were injured in a side crash, regardles of the type of car you were driving, be sure to call our office at (512) 343-2572.

What Our Clients Say

I would recommend The Traub Law Office first and foremost to any person with a Personal Injury case. I was told by two Personal Injury lawyers prior to Andrew that I should just drop my case because I would never win against American Access Causality because my case wasn't cut and dry. We've all heard of the ability to turn "water into wine" associated with Jesus and I'm not equating Andrew Traub to Jesus but my case against American Access Causality was a hard lead to nowhere because of outdated Texas Law and Andrew made a way for my dead-end case, turning nothing into something or a settlement. Andrew was professional, patient, and worked tirelessly to help me. Both he and his staff are dedicated to being the people in your corner when its you versus the law.

5/ 5
Vanessa B - google

Contact Us

Contact Us
First
Last
Enter Email
Confirm Email
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Some of our Awards

austin accident lawyer awardsSuper LawyersTop One PercentLawyers of DistinctionMillion Dollar Advocates ForumNational Trial Lawyers Top 100Avvo 10/10 ratingTop 100 Verdict

Address

8701 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Suite 401, Austin, TX 78757
Get Directions

Hours

Office: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Appointments available: All days and hours.

Phones answered 24/7

Contact

5.0 / 5 over 38 reviews

See Reviews

Leave a Review

Connect

Navigation

While most of our clients hail from Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Pflugerville in Travis and Williamson Counties, we have also worked with clients in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Other clients have come from Lakeway, Jollyville, Anderson Mill, Kyle, and Leander. If your accident was in Texas, we can help you. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Back To Top