All of us already know that motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians are very dangerous. In 2016, 169 Pennsylvania residents died in motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians. With a state population of nearly 13 million, this means that out of every 100,000 residents, 1.32 of them lost their lives in traffic accidents.
That figure might seem too small to affect you or your family, but the truth is that you can never predict what will happen when you are walking or riding a bicycle in traffic.
What you might not realize is that the type of passenger vehicles involved in these accidents may make a difference in whether the pedestrian lives or dies. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) points to the beloved sport utility vehicle (SUV) as a leading factor in pedestrian deaths and injuries for the following reasons.
- They typically have flat front ends
- They have a much higher horsepower than many other automobiles
- They are larger and ride higher than other passenger vehicles
Because they ride up off the ground, SUVs tend to strike victims in more serious locations (back, chest or abdominal areas). Their increased horsepower means they strike their victims with a greater amount of force than smaller vehicles. Their flat front ends may mean more contact between autos and victims in motor vehicle accidents.
In an ideal world, we could walk and bike without fearing death or severe injury. However, the world is far from ideal when it comes to pedestrian accidents. If you have not yet suffered pedestrian injuries, please practice care while walking. For those already facing catastrophic pedestrian injuries, we urge you to continue reading our website to find a legal remedy that meets your needs.
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