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New Study Finds SUVs Involved in More Fatal Pedestrian Crashes

September 5, 2018 | Category: Pedestrian Accidents | Share

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a new study in May 2018 which found that pedestrian fatalities increased between 2009 and 2016. The largest spike in single-vehicle fatal pedestrian crashes involved SUVs.

New Study Finds SUVs Involved in More Fatal Pedestrian Crashes - Spivey LawFor the second year in a row, pedestrian fatalities in the United States remained at a 25-year high. When comparing pedestrian accidents and the types of vehicles involved, the study author said, “The average annual increase in crashes involving SUVs was 3.1 percent higher than the increase in other vehicle types combined, and the difference was significant.”

The popularity of SUVs from 2009 to 2016 has increased 37 percent, according to U.S. vehicle registration data. Automobile Magazine says that trucks and SUVs now make up 67 percent of the U.S. auto market.

The insurance report says, “Although larger, heavier vehicles provide more protection for their occupants and, therefore, have lower driver death rates per registered vehicle than smaller cars, previous research has found that SUVs and other light trucks and vans were associated with increased risks of severely injuring or killing pedestrians in an impact when compared with cars.”

The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also blamed SUVs for the higher death rate concluding pedestrians are two to three times more likely to suffer a fatality when struck by an SUV than by a passenger car. Because the SUV’s front end is higher and blunter than a car’s, it is more likely to hit a pedestrian in the chest or head, causing lethal consequences.

How can SUV drivers prevent hitting pedestrians?

With a driver’s license comes responsibility. Florida drivers have a “duty of care” responsibility when driving. Should they not exercise this “duty of care,” it is considered negligence. Some of the most common factors which contribute to driver negligence are distracted driving, speeding, failing to yield the right of way at crosswalks, disobeying traffic signs or signals, failing to signal while turning, disregarding weather or traffic conditions, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Pedestrians are vulnerable and will be injured, or will die, if vehicle drivers are distracted when driving,” said Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. “Should you or a loved one be injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact our experienced team. We are available 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you.”

 

Fort Myers Pedestrian Accident Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.

 

 

 

 

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