Picture this: it’s a beautiful summer day, and you’re headed to the lake with friends. Someone suggests riding in the back of the pickup truck to enjoy the breeze and scenery. But before you hop in, you might wonder – is this actually legal in Missouri? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
Understanding Missouri’s law about riding in the truck bed is crucial for your safety and legal protection. Whether you’re planning a family outing, helping with farm work, or attending a special event, knowing when it’s legal to ride in a truck bed can prevent serious injuries and legal complications.
Missouri’s Law for Riding in the Bed of a Truck
Missouri has specific regulations governing who can ride in truck beds and under what circumstances. According to Missouri Revised Statute 304.665, the state prohibits certain individuals from riding in the unenclosed bed of trucks under specific conditions.
The law states that no person under 18 years of age may ride in the unenclosed bed of a truck when it’s operated on highways that are part of the state or federal highway system, or within city limits. This applies to trucks with a licensed gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds.
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However, Missouri’s law is more permissive than many other states regarding adults. While some states completely prohibit truck bed riding, Missouri allows adults (18 and older) to ride in truck beds, even on highways and within city limits.
Seven Legal Exceptions in Missouri
Missouri law provides several important exceptions where minors can legally ride in truck beds:
1. Employment Duties: Employees can ride in truck beds when necessary to perform their job duties.
2. Agricultural Activities: People engaged in farming operations may ride in truck beds when necessary for agricultural work.
3. Parades and Exhibitions: Riding in truck beds is permitted during authorized parades, caravans, or exhibitions.
4. Safety Equipment: When the truck has installed safety devices to prevent passengers from falling out or when passengers are adequately secured to avoid falling or jumping.
5. Special Events: The law allows truck bed riding for specific social activities of definable duration when there’s insufficient seating elsewhere. This could include activities like hayrides or community festivals.
6. Recreational Assistance: People may ride in truck beds when helping others engaged in recreational activities or ensuring their safety.
7. Family Vehicle Exception: If the truck is the only family-owned, licensed, and insured vehicle, and there’s insufficient room in the cab for all passengers (limited to first-degree relatives).
Specific Precautions for Truck Bed Riding in Missouri
Even when legal, riding in a truck bed carries significant risks. If you must ride in a truck bed, consider these essential safety precautions:
- Ensure the tailgate is securely latched and functioning properly
- Sit on the floor of the truck bed rather than standing or sitting on the sides
- Avoid loose clothing that could catch on objects or create additional hazards
- Never ride in a truck bed during inclement weather conditions
- Communicate with the driver about planned stops, turns and speed changes
- Consider wearing protective gear, especially helmets
- Avoid carrying loose objects that could become projectiles during sudden stops
Remember that pickup truck beds offer no protection in crashes and lack safety features like seat belts, airbags or energy-absorbing structures found in passenger compartments.
Common Injuries from Truck Bed Accidents
Unfortunately, truck bed riding frequently results in serious injuries. Emergency rooms across Missouri regularly treat patients injured while riding in pickup truck beds. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls or ejections
- Fractures and broken bones from impacts with the truck bed or road
- Road rash and severe abrasions
- Spinal cord injuries that can result in paralysis
- Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma
- Lacerations from sharp objects in the truck bed
These injuries often occur during sudden stops, sharp turns or collisions when passengers are thrown from the vehicle or against hard surfaces within the truck bed.
Personal Injury vs. Auto Injury Classification
When someone is injured while riding in a truck bed, the legal classification depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Generally, truck bed injuries fall under auto accident cases since they involve motor vehicles and typically occur during vehicle operation.
However, the distinction can be important for insurance purposes and legal proceedings. Auto injury cases often involve:
- Vehicle insurance claims
- Motor vehicle accident investigations
- Traffic law violations
- Comparative negligence between drivers
The classification affects how insurance companies handle claims and which legal standards apply to your case.
Filing a Personal Injury Suit After a Truck Bed Accident
Yes, individuals injured while riding in truck beds can often file personal injury lawsuits against negligent parties. Potential defendants might include:
The Driver: If the driver operated the vehicle negligently, such as speeding, making sudden movements, or driving under the influence
Vehicle Owner: When the owner knew or should have known about vehicle defects or allowed an incompetent driver to operate their truck
Third Parties: Other drivers whose negligent actions contributed to the accident
Manufacturers: In cases involving defective truck components or safety equipment failures
Success in these cases often depends on proving negligence – that someone failed to exercise reasonable care and that failure directly caused your injuries. Given Missouri’s comparative fault laws, even if you bear some responsibility for your injuries, you may still recover compensation if others were at fault.
Just as we discussed in our article about farming accidents, agricultural workers face unique risks, and the same principles apply to truck bed injuries – seeking immediate medical attention and legal consultation is crucial for protecting your rights.
Protecting Your Family’s Safety
Understanding truck bed riding laws is especially important for families. While Missouri’s car seat laws provide clear guidance for protecting young children in vehicles, truck bed safety requires additional consideration.
Parents should carefully evaluate whether truck bed riding is worth the risks, even when legal. Consider safer alternatives like ensuring adequate seating in the vehicle cab or using a different vehicle altogether.
What to Do After a Truck Bed Injury
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding in a truck bed:
- Seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries.
- Document the scene and gather witness information if possible.
- Report the incident to law enforcement when appropriate.
- Contact an experienced auto accident attorney to discuss your legal options.
- Avoid discussing fault or making statements to insurance companies without legal representation.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve
Truck bed injuries can result in devastating consequences that affect your health, finances and quality of life. Whether your injury occurred during legal truck bed riding or due to someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
At Eng & Woods, we understand the complexities of auto accident cases, including those involving truck bed injuries. Contact our experienced attorneys, who have helped Missouri residents secure fair compensation for their injuries since 1953.Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or navigate the legal system alone. Contact our auto accident team today for a consultation about your truck bed injury case. We’re here to fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
