Drivers of larger vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs are more likely to strike those walking on the road and cause pedestrian accidents compared to drivers of other vehicles, a new study says. According to NBC New York, research released by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety suggests that the rising popularity of larger vehicles is a factor in surging pedestrian deaths on U.S. roadways. The study also questioned whether the wider pillars holding up roofs of these larger vehicles make it more difficult for their drivers to spot people walking near its corners.
While the study mentions prior research involving blind spots caused by the “A-
Over the same period, SUV and pickup truck sales have also skyrocketed. In 2009, SUVs, pickup trucks and vans accounted for 47% of all U.S. new vehicle sales. Last year, light trucks represented more than three-quarters of new vehicle sales. The IIHS study also found that larger vehicles were more likely than cars to be involved in collisions where pedestrians were standing, walking or running near the edge of the street and away from intersections.
Statistics from North Carolina from 2010 through 2018 in particular showed that pickups were 42% more likely to strike pedestrians than cars while making left turns. SUVs were 23% more likely to hit people than cars. Outside of intersections, pickups were 80% more likely than cars to strike a pedestrian along the road while SUVs were 61% more likely and minivans were 45% more likely to hit people than cars, the IIHS study stated.
Since trucks, SUVs and vans typically have thicker and wider A-Pillars to prevent collapse in rollover crashes, this tends to create blind spots in these vehicles. Consumer reports found last year that higher hoods also tend to obstruct driver views of pedestrians crossing in front of vehicles. IIHS engineers say automakers can use stronger metals to make A-pillars smaller and increase visibility.
They also say the industry can look at adding automatic emergency braking systems that detect pedestrians to vehicles. Most automakers have vowed to make automatic emergency braking standard equipment on all of their new models by September 2022. In addition, federal safety regulators are proposing to make these systems mandatory on all new vehicles.
Injured victims of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Pedestrian accident victims and their families should remember that they can seek compensation for injuries or losses in collisions even if the victim was not walking in a marked crosswalk and even if the driver involved in collision was not charged. Our law firm recovered the full one million dollar insurance policy for a girl who was not in the crosswalk when a motor vehicle hit her.
For over 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/suvs-pickups-more-likely-hit-walkers-than-cars-new-study-finds/3603236/