Whether they spend more time driving or walking, New York residents should know that pedestrians are facing more and more risks and that the rise in SUVs may have a part to play in it. While deaths arising from motor vehicle accidents have been declining in recent years, the number of fatally injured pedestrians rose an alarming 53% between 2009 and 2018.
What one study found out
As part of a 2020 study, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analyzed 79 crashes that had taken place in three urban areas in Michigan. While the data has obvious limits, researchers discovered that SUVs, when traveling 20 mph or faster, caused more serious injuries to pedestrians than cars did.
Three out of 10 pedestrian accidents where the SUV traveled between 20 and 39 mph were fatal. At the same speed, cars accounted for 5 of 22 pedestrian deaths, and at 40 mph and higher, they killed a pedestrian in 7 out of 13 accidents. There were three SUV crashes at 40 mph and higher; all three ended with the pedestrian dying.
SUV design changes not helping
Manufacturers have started to design SUVs more like cars, but these only mitigate the injuries sustained by car occupants. Much depends on the profile of the front end as it should ideally be more sloping.
Seeking compensation for your injuries
Many pedestrian collisions are caused by the negligence of drivers. If that was the case with you, you may seek compensation from the driver’s insurance company. You would have to build up your claim, though, with evidence of the other side’s fault while at the same time clearing yourself of any wrongdoing. Negotiating a settlement can be hard work as well. You may want to speak with a lawyer about the process, then.