As far back as 2011, it has been recognized that women are more likely than men are to suffer serious injuries in a car crash. New York residents should know that a study from the University of Virginia has analyzed this phenomenon and found out one reason for it: namely, a lack of safety data and safety measures that take women into account.
Crash safety tests use male crash dummies for the most part, and though a female crash dummy was introduced in 2003, its dimensions are not necessarily those of the average woman. It weighs 110 pounds and is five feet tall. It does not reflect physiological and anatomical differences, such as differences in muscle strength, pelvis shape and fat distribution.
Another issue, which had been pointed out in previous studies, lies in seatbelt designs. Most seatbelts cannot provide women with maximum protection because of women’s relatively short stature, their seating posture and other factors.
The University of Virginia study found that women have a 73% higher risk for serious injuries or death following a car crash. It remains for automakers, then, to better understand how seatbelts interact with women’s bodies and skeletal structures and apply this to real-life scenarios.
Of course, one cannot blame a motor vehicle crash on the automakers if they did not necessarily build a defective vehicle. Crash victims who wish to seek compensation may file a claim against the other driver for his or her negligent actions. If the victim was partially to blame, this will not bar recovery; it will only lower the amount they are eligible for.
The first thing victims might wish to do is schedule a case evaluation. With a lawyer, they may negotiate for a reasonable settlement and, if one cannot be achieved, prepare for litigation.