Are Steel Truck Bumpers Dangerous?

A truck’s steel bumper may be one of its most dangerous features during an accident. This seemingly innocent stylistic statement can be a serious safety threat. A mechanical engineer in Texas recently determined that steel bumpers on 18-wheeler trucks are significantly more dangerous than those made from energy-absorbing alternatives. Steel bumpers can make a truck accident much worse than it would have been, had the bumper been removed.

Why Are Steel Bumpers a Safety Hazard?

Steel bumpers are heavy, and they can therefore cause an 18-wheeler to do more damage to another vehicle, rather than cushioning the blow. The auto industry has started to use plastic, composite, or other energy-absorbing materials so that bumpers don't cause as much damage during a collision. These other materials can absorb some of the forces caused by an accident, rather than magnify them. This differs from steel, which remains rigid and damaging during an accident.

Manufacturers produce the modern bumper to keep the safety of vehicle passengers a priority along with the safety of those around them. While modern bumpers have a reputation for being “cheap” because they aren’t made from metal, they are designed to become damaged during a collision so that the impact of it is absorbed as much as possible. So, the very thing they might receive criticism for is purposeful design.

Understanding the Dangers of a Steel Bumper in a Truck Accident

Steel bumpers are still being used on a number of 18-wheeler trucks as well as other commercial vehicles that are on the roads today. The majority of passenger vehicles currently use an energy-absorbing bumper that helps protect the car and the passengers in the event of an accident, but because some trucks are still using steel, this poses a dangerous threat to others on the road.

Steel bumpers can significantly increase the severity of the damages in an accident, likely resulting in the victims of the other vehicles incurring much worse injuries. This material is much less giving in the event of an accident, which means that the extent of damage will be far worse. As a passenger vehicle driver, it is important to realize the differences between the materials used to make your cars and that of the trucks on the road when you are involved in an accident, as this can play a large role in proving your claim.

In the event that you have been involved in a trucking accident, contact Arnold & Itkin for a trusted truck accident attorney who can fight on your behalf. It is obvious why the auto industry is continuing to utilize more accident-friendly materials such as plastics and other energy-absorbing materials. Because of this, our firm may be able to help you seek compensation for your accident and subsequent injuries.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Help Is Available!

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, then you need the assistance of an attorney. If you believe that the fatality or serious injury could have been avoided if the truck that you collided with had been manufactured better and was not equipped with a steel bumper, we’re ready to help you determine who was at fault.

Arnold & Itkin is here to help with your 18-wheeler accident case, no matter where you live in the United States. We've won billions of dollars for clients by being a fierce advocate for them. If we take on your case, our team will use our resources to investigate your accident and find answers from those who caused it. While we can never guarantee a specific result, we never settle for less than clients deserve and will take their case to a courtroom if necessary.

Call us today to find out what we can do at (888) 493-1629. Our truck accident lawyers are ready to help you with a free consultation.