Every trip in a motor vehicle comes with a degree of risk. Factors including a driver’s skill and road conditions influence the overall likelihood of a crash occurring. Statistics also show a potential correlation between the size of a vehicle and the likelihood of a crash having major consequences.
There is little question that consumer trends have favored bigger vehicles in recent years. People from all different backgrounds and demographics may prefer to purchase larger vehicles including SUVs, pickup trucks and crossover vehicles. Despite larger vehicles dominating the roads, their occupants may be less likely to die than those in smaller vehicles according to recent Virginia collision statistics.
What does crash data show?
One of the many reasons that people favor bigger vehicles is that they view them as inherently safer. Crash statistics do seem to affirm that belief. According to an analysis of 2022 crash data, people in small vehicles accounted for more traffic deaths than those in pickup trucks or SUVs.
There were 383 fatalities involving those in smaller passenger vehicles in Virginia in 2022, which accounted for 38% of all reported traffic fatalities. Occupants of pickup trucks and SUVs accounted for 27% of reported traffic deaths with 276 fatalities.
Unfortunately, the people who drive or ride in smaller vehicles are at increased risk because of the transportation decisions made by other people. When there is a discrepancy in vehicle sizes during a crash, the people in the smaller vehicle are usually at substantially greater risk of injury and death.
Those who drive smaller vehicles may need to be more proactive about safety, as they have more to lose in the event of a major motor vehicle collision. The unfortunate reality is that bigger vehicles may give people a false sense of security that might lead to them becoming unnecessarily aggressive or complacent in traffic, which may ultimately lead to greater risk for everyone. They may fail to indicate turns, follow too closely and speed without concern about the safety consequences of their choices.
People affected by motor vehicle collisions can hold those at fault accountable. Filing insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits can be a way to recover injury expenses and property damage losses when another party causes a crash.
