Why Larger Vehicles Are More Dangerous to Pedestrians

by Ed Rebenack, Esq.

Why SUVs and Pickups Pose an Added Danger to Pedestrians

According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 55,000 pedestrians were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2020. This staggering number is only increasing as time goes on due in part to the growing popularity of SUVs and pickup trucks.

In this blog post, we will explore why these vehicles can be particularly dangerous to pedestrians in comparison to smaller vehicles. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident involving an SUV or pickup truck, it is important to contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer to pursue the compensation you need to begin moving forward.

Larger Vehicles Are More Likely to Hit Pedestrians

One of the reasons that SUVs and pickup trucks can be more dangerous to pedestrians is because they are more likely to hit them in the first place.

The total volume of these vehicles means that they are more likely to hit a pedestrian when compared to smaller cars like sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. This is especially true in urban areas where pedestrians are more likely to be sharing a congested road with larger vehicles.

This heightened risk is partially because pedestrians are less able to dodge a larger vehicle at the last second. The greater weight and force of these vehicles can also make it more difficult for the driver to stop in time if a pedestrian is in the way.

In addition, the overall design of these vehicles can also make it more difficult for the driver to see pedestrians, which increases the risk of an accident. For instance, many SUVs and pickup trucks have large blind spots, which can make it difficult for the drivers to see a pedestrian in their paths.

As an example, the A-pillars supporting both sides of the roof of the vehicle may obstruct the driver’s view of crossing pedestrians. Anything from the size to the location of these pillars could contribute to a pedestrian accident.

Additionally, these vehicles often have a higher ground clearance than smaller cars. This can make it difficult for the driver to see a pedestrian who is crossing in front of them, especially if the pedestrian is shorter or uses a wheelchair.

Other design elements that may play a role in pedestrian accidents resulting from poor visibility include the long front ends and high ride heights of larger vehicles. All of these factors contribute to the increased likelihood that a larger vehicle will hit a pedestrian.

Pickups and SUVs May Cause More Serious Injuries to Pedestrians

Another reason that SUVs and pickup trucks can be more dangerous to pedestrians is that they are more likely to cause serious injuries. While virtually any type of vehicle can be involved in a pedestrian accident, the outcome for the pedestrian varies greatly depending on the type of vehicle that hit them.

The size and weight of SUVs and pickup trucks mean that they can do a lot of damage to a pedestrian if they are hit due to the sheer force that the pedestrian’s body takes when hit by one of these vehicles. In addition, the height of these vehicles means that the pedestrian is more likely to be hit in the head or upper body, which can lead to more serious injuries. These severe injuries can often lead to long-term health problems or even death.

In contrast, a pedestrian who is hit by a smaller vehicle like a sedan is more likely to be hit below the waist and with less overall force, which can cause serious injuries but is much less likely to result in death or long-term disability.

This is not to say that a pedestrian hit by a smaller vehicle will never suffer severe injuries, but the odds are significantly lower. And while no motor vehicle accident is ever “minor,” the severity of the injuries that a pedestrian suffers can greatly increase when hit by an SUV or pickup truck.

The Type of Turn Plays a Role in the Likelihood of Pedestrian Accidents

One final factor to consider is the type of turn that a motorist makes in an SUV or pickup truck. These larger vehicles often have a wider turning radius, which can make it more difficult for the driver to see pedestrians who may be in the way. In addition, the longer length of these vehicles can also make it more difficult to judge the distance and speed of oncoming traffic, which increases the risk of an accident that could involve a pedestrian.

This is especially true when making a left-hand turn since the driver may have to swing wide into oncoming traffic in order to make the turn. Because the driver is preoccupied with the high-stress situation of looking out for direct oncoming traffic, pedestrians who are crossing the street on the driver’s left-hand side can be at risk of being hit by the vehicle.

An IIHS study revealed some eye-opening insights about this phenomenon. By looking at federal statistics about the types of vehicles involved in pedestrian deaths along with whether they were making a turn at an intersection, the group found that SUVs were twice as likely as smaller cars to cause pedestrian deaths when making a left turn.

The same study revealed that pickup trucks were a staggering four times as likely as cars to be involved in these left-turn deaths. When it comes to right-turn deaths, SUVs were 63% more likely to cause pedestrian deaths than smaller cars, and pickup trucks were 89% more likely to be involved than small vehicles.

The study also looked at information from North Carolina accident statistics. This information backed up the federal data by showing that pedestrians are more likely to be hit by pickup trucks and SUVs than cars that are making left turns. However, the data showed no significant difference between these vehicle types when making right-hand turns.

What You Need to Know If You’ve Been Injured by an SUV or Pickup

What does this all mean when a pedestrian files a personal injury claim against an SUV or pickup truck driver?

For one, it means that the pedestrian will likely have a stronger case if the accident happened when the motorist was making a left turn.

It also means that the pedestrian’s injuries are more likely to be serious if they were hit by an SUV or pickup truck rather than a smaller car. This is important because more serious injuries often result in higher medical bills, more time missed from work, and more pain and suffering.

All of this can add up to a much larger settlement or verdict in a personal injury case, so it is important to contact an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you or someone you know has been hit by an SUV or pickup truck while walking, don’t hesitate to contact the motor vehicle accident lawyers at RAM Law today for a free case review. With offices in Freehold, New Brunswick, and Somerville, our attorneys have extensive experience handling these types of cases throughout New Jersey and can help you explore your legal options. Call (732) 394-1549 to get started.