Any pedestrian collision has the potential to cause major injuries. Even a bicycle striking a pedestrian could knock someone down, break their bones or cause a brain injury. Motor vehicles colliding with pedestrians can cause catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
Certain factors, including the speed of the vehicle, influence the likelihood of a crash and the severity of the injuries sustained by the pedestrian. Another key factor that may influence the degree of risk in a pedestrian crash has to do with the size of the vehicle.
Bigger vehicles have become much more common on the roads in recent years. While they may keep the people inside of them safer, they create more risk for pedestrians nearby. The height of a vehicle’s bumper can have a direct influence on the likelihood of a pedestrian crash proving fatal.
Taller vehicles are more dangerous
The trend toward choosing vans, SUVs, crossovers and pickup trucks over traditional sedans has resulted in the average vehicle size increasing significantly. Bigger vehicles tend to have taller bumpers.
There are several risk factors associated with a taller vehicle in a pedestrian crash scenario. First and foremost, taller vehicles create blind spots, especially if the pedestrian is a child. The second concern is the point of contact where the vehicle strikes the pedestrian.
Taller vehicles hit people higher on the body and are more likely to knock them to the ground. Statistically, this makes them more dangerous. Taller vehicles with a more vertical front end have a strong association with fatal pedestrian collisions.
Researchers found that cars over average height have a 60% chance of causing moderate injuries and a 30% chance of causing serious injuries at 27 miles per hour (mph). At the same speed, a pickup that is 13 inches taller than the average car has a much higher chance of causing injury. At 27 mph, a truck has an 83% chance of causing moderate injuries. The pickup has a 62% likelihood of causing serious injuries, even at a relatively low speed.
Those seeking justice after a vehicle-pedestrian crash may need help evaluating their options, and that’s okay. Learning more about pedestrian crash risk factors can help those seeking compensation build an effective case against a negligent motorist who has caused them harm.