Driving on California’s highways and city streets means navigating the road with large semi-trucks. If you’ve ever paid attention to their size versus a passenger vehicle, you may wonder whether it’s safer to be in a semi or a car during an accident.

Today’s cars are equipped with cutting-edge safety technologies such as advanced airbags and automatic emergency braking (AEB), making them appear to be the safer choice.

Semi-trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, are fortified with features like reinforced cabs and air brake systems that primarily protect their drivers in collisions. However, the sheer mass and build of these trucks can lead to more severe consequences for passenger cars in the event of an accident.