If you were involved in a car crash in California and suffered serious injuries, then you may have the opportunity to seek compensation. Perhaps you were driving a newer vehicle and wondering why it did not reduce the risk for injury. A study published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention has found out something that may answer the question.
Women more likely to be injured in newer cars
Researchers at the Center for Applied Biomechanics analyzed car crashes that occurred between 1998 and 2015 and resulted in injury. This data was taken from the National Automotive Sampling System’s Crashworthiness Data System. Researchers found that while newer vehicles built in the last decade are safer, seat belt-wearing female occupants are more likely to be injured in them than seat belt-wearing male occupants.
After controlling for factors like the severity of the collision, the vehicle’s model year and the occupant’s age, body mass index and height, researchers calculated that women run a 73% higher risk for injury. The risk was especially high in the case of injuries to the lower extremities.
Other shortcomings of newer vehicles
Newer vehicles have certainly lowered the incidence of skull fractures, cervical spine injuries and injuries to the abdomen. However, they are not as effective at preventing rib and sternum fractures. Occupants over 65 tend to suffer chest trauma even in these newer vehicles, but this is partly due to their rib cage becoming weaker with age.
In all, the study analyzed nearly 23,000 frontal collisions involving belted occupants aged 13 and above. Researchers say that further studies must be undertaken to understand the biomechanical factors that lead women to be more vulnerable in crashes.
Handling a claim with a lawyer
If you incurred serious injuries, you may want to pursue a personal injury case. This will mean, among other things, gathering evidence of the other party’s negligence and negotiating for a settlement with the auto insurance companies, so you may wish to have legal assistance. An auto accident lawyer may handle the complexities while you focus on physically recovering.
