Trucks are one of the most popular vehicles in Alaska. In 2012, the Ford F-150 pickup was the most popular automobile in the state.
Trucks are useful not only for work but for everyday driving, especially in the parts of Alaska that see very harsh winters. They have all-wheel drive, a cargo bed for storage, and the capacity to haul trailers. Because they are heavier than cars, they are often safer in a crash.
If you’re one of the many Alaskans that own a pickup, you’ll want to pay attention to investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This U.S. governmental agency is responsible for carrying out safety programs, setting and enforcing safety standards for vehicles, conducting research to promote safe driving, and investigating defects.
Recently, the NHTSA announced that it is investigating whether certain Ram pickup trucks—older models—can be started without pushing in the clutch.
According to the Anchorage Daily News, the investigation will look into about 110,000 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups between 2004 and 2006.
The NHTSA has received several complaints. One of the complaints, sadly, reported that a child died as a result of the alleged defect. According to the complaint, a child was able to start the truck without engaging the clutch. The truck then rolled forward, hitting and killing another child. Another complaint said that a truck moved forward after the engine was cranked, striking a person working under the hood. Fortunately, this person was not hurt.
If the NHTSA finds a defect in the Ram pickup manufactured during these years, the agency may demand that Chrysler issue a recall of the affected cars.
The personal injury attorneys at Kelley & Canterbury LLC encourage you to be on the lookout for a recall of your vehicle—whether or not it is a Dodge Ram or pickup.
A defect can cause a car or truck accident—which could result in injuries to you or your loved ones. By paying attention to recalls and getting the problem fixed, you can avoid a potentially deadly accident.
It’s not your fault, however, if you couldn’t have known about a defect and it caused an accident. You can hold the manufacturer of your vehicle responsible if you were injured as a result of a defect-related accident. Call us today to learn your options.
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