There are reasons that SUVs are very popular. They have plenty of room to carry a large family or a person with a lot of gear. They are attractive. They are comfortable. They often come with many features. Unfortunately, there are some serious downsides: Including how dangerous they can be when involved in a pedestrian accident.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian, or you have lost a loved one who has been in a fatal SUV accident, then we urge you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. In the meantime, you can keep reading to find out what makes SUVs so much more dangerous in pedestrian accidents in particular.
Drivers Feel Safer Due to an SUVs Height but This Can Cause Pedestrian Accidents
There are many reasons people choose SUVs, but many owners say that they feel safer because their vehicles sit higher off the ground. Unfortunately, this very fact makes it three times more likely that a person hit by an SUV will die compared to a person hit by a car. This is because when an SUV hits a person, the brunt of the impact is in the center of the victim’s body – right where their vital organs are.
It is also common that an SUV will hit a person right in the legs, which pushes them over top of the vehicle and can triple the impact. A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has shown that pedestrian accidents are more common on a per capita basis than pedestrian accidents with cars, and that these SUV accidents are more likely to be fatal.
SUVs Are Often More Distracting to Drivers
The height of an SUV isn’t the only factor that can result in more accidents. The fact is that while most of the most modern vehicles today have infotainment systems that can be distracting, SUVs are often even worse. They may have several consoles in the front that have pictures, screens, and menus to distract. Many SUVs also have TVs or video games in the backseat, which can make distracting noises.
Finally, the fact that SUVs hold more people than cars do means that it is more likely that a person driving an SUV will have people in it that are distracting them. Children are the most distracting of all, and it is common for parents to own SUVS.
You May Be Owed Damages if You Were Affected by an SUV Accident
If you were injured in an accident in which you were a pedestrian and an SUV hit you, then you may be owed damages from the at-fault party. If you lost a loved one in a fatal SUV accident then you may be owed compensation. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 now to learn more about your options and to request a free legal consultation.
