Cab Over Engine Truck Accidents: The Hidden Dangers of Defective Designs
When most people think about truck accidents, they imagine large tractor-trailers on highways. But there’s another type of truck that poses serious risks to drivers and passengers in everyday work environments: the cab over engine (COE) truck.
At McCartney Stucky LLC, we represent victims of COE truck accidents who have suffered catastrophic injuries because of defective truck designs and a lack of crash protection.
What Is a Cab Over Engine Truck?
Also known as “low cab forward” trucks, COE trucks are commonly used in delivery, construction, landscaping, and other industries. Unlike conventional trucks, the driver sits directly above the engine and the front axle.
Most COE trucks have no crumple zone.
A crumple zone is a safety feature that absorbs crash energy before it reaches occupants. Without it, drivers and passengers in a COE truck are dangerously exposed in a frontal crash.
The Problem with COE Truck Crashworthiness
Crashworthiness refers to how well a vehicle protects occupants in a collision. Unfortunately, cab over engine trucks are simply not crashworthy in many situations.
Victims of COE frontal crashes often suffer catastrophic injuries, including:
- Severe leg crush injuries
- Traumatic amputations
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
These injuries are not just tragic—they are preventable. Manufacturers like Isuzu, Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Chevrolet (GM) have failed to equip many COE trucks with basic safety features such as:
- Crumple zones or crash energy absorption systems
- Reinforced subfloors and doors
- Collision mitigation systems (FUPDs, grill guards, knee airbags)
How McCartney Stucky LLC Can Help
At McCartney Stucky LLC, we fight for workers and families harmed by defective COE truck designs. Too often, injured drivers accept workers’ compensation or file insurance claims without realizing they may also have a product liability case.
Our attorneys pursue justice for clients who have suffered:
- Catastrophic injuries
- Lower leg crush injuries
- Amputations and disabilities
- Wrongful death claims
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a cab over engine truck accident, you may have a product liability case against the truck manufacturer.