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SUVS hit more pedestrians than cars

On Behalf of | Jul 20, 2022 | Personal Injury

Pedestrians in Illinois and Indiana face more dangers from SUVs and pickups than they do from cars. A new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has confirmed that pedestrian deaths have risen by 59% since 2009. Many of these deaths can be linked to rising sales of SUVs. More of them are on the road than at any other time.

SUVs have blind spots that endanger pedestrians

One of the most frequently cited causes of auto accidents that endanger pedestrians are the so-called blind spots some SUV’s suffer from. Many SUVs have wider pillars that are designed to hold up their roofs. Some experts claim that these pillars make it harder for SUV drivers to see people who are walking near the corners of their vehicle. As a result, accidents occur.

More studies will be needed in order to prove a definite link between these pillars and the rise in pedestrian deaths. However, the presence of these “A-pillars” located between the cabin and the windshield have been cited in a great many accidents involving SUV’s. 6,519 pedestrians were killed in 2020 as the result of a collision with a moving vehicle.

Injuries due to SUVs and pickups have increased

There are several factors to note in the rise of pedestrian deaths and resultant wrongful death lawsuits. One of them is the fact that the popularity of SUVs and light trucks is greater than ever. Since 2009, nearly half of all new vehicles sold have been SUVs.

The front end of an SUV is taller than that of a car. This means that they can strike a pedestrian much higher on their bodies. The result is an injury that is far more likely to be fatal than a car that hits a person’s legs.