The design of today’s SUV is quite a bit different than it was 20 years ago. That said, the most recent SUV models actually seem to be more likely to be involved in fatal pedestrian accidents than SUVs from previous decades. That is according to a study from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Keep reading to get the fact about these fatal accidents and what experts believe is the cause. If you are injured as a pedestrian, or have lost a pedestrian in an accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707.
Fatal Vehicle Accidents Are on the Decline – But Not Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
In 2018, there were 36,560 people killed in vehicle accidents in the United States. Compare this to the 50,000+ people killed in 1980 and it easy to see that this number has been on the decline. However, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents is actually on the rise. Why? We will take a look to see if we can find the answer to that question.
What the Researchers Looked at and What They Found
The researchers looked at nearly 80 accidents from three different urban areas in Michigan. They discovered that there was a higher risk to pedestrians from SUVs than any other type of vehicle. However, it is important to keep in mind that this is a small sample size. A larger study looking at more geographic regions and a higher number of accidents will need to be done to confirm what the study found.
The Specifics of the Statistics
The study found that SUVs caused more serious injuries to pedestrians than cars did when impact occurred at more than 19 miles per hour. With vehicles going speeds of 20 – 39 miles per hour, 30% of SUV accidents resulted in the death of a pedestrian with just 23% of other vehicles causing death in accidents at the same speed.
When the vehicles were traveling 40 miles per hour or faster, 100% of the accidents involving SUVs resulted in the death of the pedestrian, while 54% of accidents with cars. When the accident occurred at less than 20 miles per hour, there was little difference in the number of pedestrians – neither generally involved death and minor injuries were generally sustained.
Why is This Information So Important?
From 2009 to 2019, pedestrian fatalities increased by 53%. During those same years, the share of SUVs of all vehicles went from 21% to 29%. Today, fatal pedestrian accidents make up one-fifth of all traffic fatalities. The percentage has not been that high since the early ‘80s.
As to the reason why – a lot is unknown and a larger study is necessary. Those in the know suspect that many of the designs changes SUV manufacturers made to protect occupants of cars actually made their vehicles more dangerous to pedestrians. If you are injured in this type of accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
