If you get involved in a car accident, the size difference between the two vehicles can play a major role. From a physics perspective, during a collision, a larger and heavier object tends to transfer more energy into a smaller and lighter object. Other factors can play a role, such as speed, but the size and weight of the vehicles are also critical components.
For instance, if a 6,000-pound pickup truck hits a 2,000-pound coupe, the coupe is likely going to be pushed backward in the collision. This means people in the smaller vehicle are more likely to suffer severe injuries, in most cases, and have a higher risk of fatal injuries.
Underride accidents
In some cases, there is such an extreme size difference that there is the risk of an underride accident. An example of this is when a convertible strikes a semi-truck. The convertible can become wedged under the trailer of the semi, which can delay medical care for occupants who must be freed from the wreckage before they can be transported to the hospital.
Underride accidents are also dangerous because a taller vehicle will have a higher impact point during the crash. This means that people in the smaller vehicle are more likely to suffer injuries to the head, neck and chest. These are much more likely to be fatal than injuries to the torso and legs, which are more common when vehicles are roughly the same size.
Unfortunately, you can’t control the vehicles other people drive, so you often have to share the road with large, dangerous vehicles. If you get involved in an accident and suffer serious injuries, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.