Women Face Greater Risk of Injury in a Car Accident Than Men, IIHS Says

A new study has shown that women are much more likely to be injured in a wreck than men are. The study analyzed injuries to both sexes in front and side crashes reported by the police from 1998 through 2015. Silverman, McDonald & Friedman is proud to represent car accident injury victims throughout Delaware. Contact us in Seaford, Newark, or Wilmington to get started on your case.

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that women are more likely to suffer leg injuries than men. The study also shows that, although men are involved in more deadly crashes, for each crash, women are 20-28% more likely to die and 37-73% more likely to be seriously injured (after speed and other adjustments are considered).

Jessica Jermakian, the VP of vehicle research for IIHS and an author of the study, said that when similar types of crashes (similar cars and similar types of accidents) were studied, the discrepancies changed. She stated that “crashworthiness improvements have benefited men and women more or less equally.”

Ms. Jermakian also stated that women are more likely to drive smaller, lighter cars, which may make them more vulnerable in certain types of collisions, and are more likely to be in a car that is struck in a side-impact or front-into-reach collision.

• For front crashes, females were three times as likely to suffer a moderate injury (such as broken bone or concussion) and twice as likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury, collapsed lung, or other serious injury.
• For side crashes, women were 50% more likely to suffer a serious injury (and just as likely to suffer a moderate injury) – though “neither of those results was statistically significant.”

The researchers tried to determine whether the difference was due to physical differences by examining a subset of crashes on “comparable” front crashes that involved single-vehicle crashes and two-vehicle crashes where the cars were of comparable weight and size – or where it was clear that size and weight wouldn’t affect the outcome. In addition, only vehicles where the front airbag deployed were examined. There wasn’t enough data for a side crash comparison.

This second analysis found that females were twice as likely to suffer a moderate injury and a little more likely to suffer a serious injury. Another part of the study (that includes side crashes) revealed that “good ratings in the Institute’s moderate overlap front and side tests lowered the odds of most injuries more or less equally for both sexes.” The benefits when crashworthy vehicles were compared were better for women for most types of serious injuries. The benefits were also better for women in moderate injuries – except for leg injuries.

The study authors pose that vehicle choice is a factor in the different injury rates for women and men. The rate of SUV and minivan crashes was about the same for each sex. Women crashed in cars at a higher rate: 70% compared to 60%. The rate of pickup crashes was higher for men than women: 20% to 5%. Men “tended to crash in heavier vehicles, which offer more protection in collisions.”

Data analysis from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System revealed that men are more likely to be driving the vehicle that strikes the other vehicle, in front-to-rear and front-to-side crashes. In these types of crashes, the striker has a lower risk of injury than the driver in the car that is struck. Women were still at a greater risk of moderate-accident leg injuries and 70% more likely to suffer serious leg injuries (though more data is needed for this latter statistic).

Ms. Jermakian said there is also good news, though. “Strengthening the occupant compartment and improving seat belts and airbags have helped protect both men and women.”

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our seasoned Delaware car accident lawyers fight for everyone who is injured in a collision – women, men, children, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. We file wrongful death cases when a member of your family tragically dies. We’re experienced at showing how the crash occurred and who’s responsible. We demand full compensation for your pain and suffering and economic losses. For help when a car accident changes your life, call us at 302.888.2900 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case with a respected Wilmington, Newark, or Seaford attorney.

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