When a car hits a pedestrian in Massachusetts, the pedestrian tends to suffer from the brunt of the injuries. In fact, hundreds of pedestrians die in accidents each year that leave the drivers of the vehicles unharmed. While SUVs have experienced multiple safety enhancements in recent years, they’re still some of the deadliest vehicles for pedestrians. A new study has revealed that pedestrian deaths are steadily increasing, and SUVs are often the culprit.
What did the study reveal about pedestrian accidents?
It’s not surprising that so many pedestrian accidents are fatal. Unlike the driver in the vehicle, a pedestrian has no means of protecting themselves. But it is surprising that SUVs are so much deadlier than regular vehicles. While modern SUVs are lighter and more efficient than older models, they’re still just as deadly. This new study revealed that pedestrian fatalities increased by over 50% from 2009 to 2018.
To conduct the study, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studied 79 car accidents in Michigan. Researchers learned that 25% of pedestrian accidents involving cars were fatal. However, this number rose to 30% when an SUV was involved. Researchers also learned that 54% of car accidents were fatal if the car was driving at 40 miles per hour or greater. Shockingly, 100% of SUV accidents were fatal if the car was driving more than 40 miles per hour. This means that if you get hit by an SUV on the highway, the accident is almost guaranteed to be fatal.
How can pedestrians seek compensation after accidents?
Many drivers refuse to give pedestrians their share of the road. If they’re not paying attention, it can have serious consequences. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you prove the driver’s negligence in court so that you can seek compensation.
