Kentucky and the US are the home of the Big Pickup Truck, as the top three selling vehicles annually are Ford, Ram, and Chevrolet full-size pickup trucks. For every action, there is an opposite reaction, as seen by the popularity of Japanese kei (or keitora) trucks. Macho, muscular bulk is not their thing. They are tiny and increasingly popular trucks.
Given full-size pickups’ size, they are pretty safe vehicles for their occupants (unless they’re hit by something larger). In a collision, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of smaller vehicles who are struck are probably in bigger trouble.
Kei Trucks are the Anti-Pickup
Kei trucks are everything full-size trucks are not, as you can see. This is a Ford F-150 pickup. This is a Honda kei Acty truck. Full-size trucks can haul a lot, burn a lot of gas, and cost a lot of money. Kei trucks are far cheaper, smaller (though their beds can be the same as a pickup), and are much more fuel efficient. They’re also not as safe during an accident.
There is little protection for kei truck occupants if there’s a front-end collision. Traditional pickup trucks have a front crumple zone that can absorb much of a crash’s energy instead of transferring it to the passenger compartment and passengers. Kei trucks have no front crumple zone. The passengers are the ones who crumple because they’re where the action is.
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Kei Trucks are Increasingly Popular
Kei trucks’ popularity has taken off, according to the Wall St. Journal. Owners claim they do almost everything bigger pickups can do. They’re also cute and make some other drivers jealous. The Journal reports that kei trucks are flying off sales lots, whether because buyers like the novelty, they’re so small but useful, or both.
In 2020, more than 1,000 shipping containers with kei trucks entered the US from Japan. Three years later, the number of containers increased to more than 4,000, and this year’s imports will probably surpass that number.
Tim Odom owns a dealership in Huffman, Texas. He says kei truck sales “have exploded” since he began importing them from Japan about five years ago. Odom says his customers include outdoor enthusiasts who think American trucks are too big.
Kei Trucks are Legal in Kentucky, With Some Restrictions
Size matters regarding vehicles and whether they’re legal to drive on streets. Some states ban their use. Kentucky is like many others that allow limited use, including:
- They can be driven on private property, off-road, and local streets and roads if their speed limit is 35 mph or lower. This precludes their use on highways
- If pulled over, you must be able to prove ownership with a title or bill of sale
- A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required to confirm the truck’s identity and that it complies with the state’s regulations
- The truck must have rearview mirrors, and functional turn signals, brake lights, and headlights
- You must have at least the state-required level of liability insurance
More dangerous vehicles are allowed on Georgia’s public streets, according to Steven Lefkoff, an attorney in the state challenging their kei truck ban. Motorcycles and classic cars like a Ford Model T have less protection than a kei truck but are street-legal in that state. Kei vehicles being legally driven on their public roads are at least 25 years old, so federal safety and emissions standards don’t apply.
Kei truck fans are also taking the legislative and governmental route to legalization. They successfully changed regulators’ minds in Texas and Massachusetts so they can be registered. However, a Georgia bill allowing kei trucks on the state’s streets stalled in the legislature.
What are My Rights If I’m Involved in an Accident When Driving My Kei Truck?
If you’re following Kentucky’s legal requirements and driving where and how you should, the basis of your compensation claim for injuries would be based on the facts of the situation, just like you were driving a traditional car or truck.
Part of Kentucky law is comparative negligence, including your choice of vehicles. The insurance company may want to reduce your compensation claim because you suffered injuries you would’ve avoided, or they wouldn’t be as severe if you were driving a traditional pickup truck. They may claim you negligently chose a less safe vehicle, which should be reflected in your recovery.
Comparative negligence can also come into play if you’re driving a kei truck illegally, whether the road’s speed limit is higher than 35 miles per hour, or your lack of rearview mirrors played a role in the crash. Given your illegal acts, the other driver’s insurance company could claim you ran the risk of injuries, and you should be responsible for your poor choices. You could also have difficulty filing a claim with your insurance carrier since most policies exclude coverage if you use your vehicle illegally.
Speak To a Kentucky Accident Lawyer Today
Have questions about your legal rights to compensation after an accident in a kei truck or other vehicle? If so, contact The Fleck Firm at (270) 446-7000 and schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your accident, how Kentucky law may apply, and your best options. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one, too.
