SUV Attorneys Lexington SC
Our Lexington SUV Accident Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm are familiar with litigating South Carolina personal injury cases. They can often help victims recover substantially more compensation than they could retain on their own, so it is highly advisable for anyone injured in an accident to discuss their options with one of our Lexington SUV Accident Lawyers.
SUVs are hefty vehicles with high centers of gravity. Due to their size, SUVs often have large blind spots, preventing drivers from seeing people and other cars. The large vehicles often block the line of vision of other drivers and pedestrians. Their high center of gravity creates a significant risk of flipping over when swerving to avoid potential wrecks.
Strom Law Firm
is here to assist you if you have been injured in an SUV accident.
What Are the Different Types of SUVs?
SUV is an acronym that means “sport utility vehicle.” It is a very broadly used term with no commonly agreed-upon definition. Definitions range from a requirement of off-road capabilities to a vehicle built on a truck chassis. While SUVs were very dangerous when they first arrived on the market, technological and design advances have added many safety features to make them safer for drivers.
There are three main categories of SUVs:
- Compact: These are the smallest SUVs. They sit lower to the ground and have higher fuel efficiency.
- Mid-size: Exactly as the name indicates. SUVs of this size fall between the sizes, fuel efficiency, and power of full-size and compact.
- Full-size: Usually containing larger, high-horsepower engines and lots of seats. A full-size SUV, for example, is a Tahoe or a Suburban. Full-size SUVs are more likely to roll over due to their size.
The Perils of SUVs
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officially connected the dots in their 2015 report, determining that SUVs were deadlier for pedestrians than cars. Pedestrians struck by SUVs are twice as likely or more to die when struck by an SUV or a pick-up truck than when struck by an ordinary car.
Size matters when it comes to these statistics. The fact that SUVs sit higher off the ground means that, when striking a pedestrian, it is far more likely to strike the person’s vital organs and head. The front of SUVs also tends to be flatter than cars, which creates a much blunter force when striking a pedestrian.
The study explains that while the majority of pedestrian fatalities are caused by light vehicles, a deeper look at the numbers shows that SUVs and Trucks are more likely to cause fatalities when striking pedestrians. While one-third of injuries to pedestrians are caused by SUVs and pick-ups, closer to 40 percent of pedestrian deaths are caused by such vehicles. The study further indicates that children and seniors are the most at risk for such fates.
Additional perils of driving SUVs include:
- Higher horsepower and false security. These two factors are related because many SUV drivers feel too safe and have too much power. Their false sense of security leads them to drive their SUV at speeds that are unsafe, not only for pedestrians and other cars but also for themselves. Teenagers are often the culprits of such behavior, but adults are known to drive this way, too.
- Top-heavy: SUVs’ structure makes them far more likely to roll over when sudden movement shifts are required.
- High clearance: As terrible as it sounds, the higher clearance of SUVs sometimes leads to a tragic and disturbing event. Cyclists and pedestrians can be pulled under the vehicle after being struck and sometimes dragged along the road. Such an incident leads to severe injuries.
- Blind spots: SUVs’ size and height create increasingly large blind spots. Sometimes, SUV drivers, let alone pedestrians, cannot see cars right next to them, resulting in accidents.
How Do You Avoid Accidents in SUVs?
The risks associated with SUVs will never be entirely avoided nor eradicated, but through experience and technological upgrades, progress has been made in recent decades. Keep these tips in mind while driving an SUV or shopping for one:
- The later the model, usually the safer. Automakers have been forced to address the safety concerns of older SUVs by adding features that enhance safety. Such safety features include backup cameras, parking assist, stabilizing technology, etc. Such features have helped make SUVs safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Even with all of these safety features, accidents still happen. Technological safety advances will continue with every new SUV model, but it is unlikely such advances will completely rid the world of SUV accidents. The driver of each vehicle must operate the vehicle as safely as possible and not use these safety features as a crutch.
- Drive an SUV like you understand its size and power. SUVs should not be driven like coupes and sedans. They need to be driven with care. Sharp turns that might not be any problem for a low-riding car can cause an SUV to roll over, causing injuries.
- Practice extreme caution in keeping an eye out for other vehicles and pedestrians. Do not use the above-described safety features as a crutch. Use your senses to keep an eye out for other cars and pedestrians. The size of an SUV can cause massive blind spots, leading to accidents with unseen cars and pedestrians. Ensure your rearview and side view mirrors are positioned to minimize blind spots, and always check behind and beside you for any motorists or pedestrians.
- Slow down. Again, do not drive your SUV like a coupe or sedan. These vehicles were not intended to be race cars; they are working vehicles that should be driven with caution. Speed kills, which is increasingly true when considering SUV accidents. When possible, avoid sudden turns and swerves.
- Keep your tires in good condition. A flat tire can cause your SUV to flip. Reduce this risk by ensuring that your tires are in good condition at all times and replacing them when necessary.
- Full-size and mid-size SUVs are heavy and take longer to stop. Do not tailgate the car in front of you. If that car is forced to slam on brakes, you cannot stop in time. You could cause significant damage.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Proposes SUV Safety Measures
The NHTSA has proposed requiring automakers to equip certain vehicles with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems. According to the NHTSA, it “estimates ESC will reduce single-vehicle crashes of passenger cars by 34% and single-vehicle crashes of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) by 59%, with a much greater reduction of rollover crashes. NHTSA estimates ESC would save 5,300 to 9,600 lives and prevent 156,000 to 238,000 injuries in all types of crashes annually once all light vehicles on the road are equipped with ESC.”
Contact a Lexington SUV Accident Lawyer Today
Suppose you have been injured by an SUV wreck or accident. In that case, you contact an attorney today to determine if you are entitled to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Our experienced Lexington SUV Accident Lawyer will provide legal assistance. Call Strom Law Firm today at 803-252-4800 or contact a Lexington SUV accident lawyer online.
