SUVs Kill More Pedestrians Than Other Cars: Study

Sport utility vehicles are often considered to be safer for drivers and passengers, simply because the sheer size of these cars provides an extra layer of protection for anyone inside. But SUVs pose a monster threat to pedestrians, according to a new study.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says late-model SUVs are the most likely to cause fatal injuries to pedestrians in the event of an accident. That comes as the overall number of pedestrian fatalities is on the rise, according to the IIHS.

“The proportion of SUVs in the U.S. fleet has grown dramatically, so it’s discouraging that they still seem to be more deadly to pedestrians than cars are,” IIHS Statistician Sam Monfort, lead author of the study, said in a statement announcing the findings.”

The researchers looked at nearly 80 crashes across Michigan, crashes that involved vehicles traveling at various speeds. 

About 30 percent of crashes involving SUVs traveling between 20 and 39 miles per hour resulted in fatalities, more than the 23 percent rate for car crashes in the same speed range. All three of the SUV accidents the team reviewed at speeds of more than 40 miles per hour resulted in a pedestrian fatality, as opposed to 54 percent for car collisions in the same speed range. 

The researchers noted that SUV manufacturers have made a number of design changes in recent years to make them more car-like and less menacing to pedestrians, including by lowering bumpers. The moves are meant to reduce the risk that a pedestrian is thrown forward in the event of a collision.

Although the number of people killed in car crashes each year has reduced dramatically, according to IIHS, pedestrian fatalities are on the rise. Vehicle crashes in which a pedestrian was killed jumped by 53 percent of the last decade, the organization said.

“Our findings provide more evidence that manufacturers need to make design changes to help combat the increase in pedestrian fatalities now that more of the vehicles on the road are SUVs,” IIHS Senior Research Engineer Becky Mueller said as part of the announcement.

How a California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help You

In addition to design issues, SUVs and other vehicles often come loaded with latent defects that can be difficult to spot and put drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk of a crash. 

In California, the state’s lemon law is designed to reduce the threat of those defects by requiring carmakers to perform certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. A manufacturer that is unable or unwilling to make those repairs is obligated to buy the car back or replace it.

If you are a car owner haggling with your car’s manufacturer over defects and repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across California. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve and we have a strong track record of successful results.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.