Despite newer cars being considered much safer than older options, a new study reveals that women wearing seat belts are much more likely to be injured in motor vehicle accidents than men are, including in the most common type of motor vehicle collision type, frontal-impact collisions.
About the Study
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia’s Center for Applied Biomechanics. It analyzed frontal-impact collisions for accidents involving occupants who were wearing seat belts who were ages 13 and older. This included an in-depth analysis of approximately 23,000 frontal-impact collisions, which involved more than 31,000 occupants. In these accidents, there were approximately an equal number of men and women.
The data from these collisions derived from crash and injury data that the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System compiled for the years between 1998 to 2015, which included a sample of police-reported collisions. The study was released in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.
Study Findings
The study found that women wearing a seat belt were at a 73% increased risk of being seriously injured in frontal-impact collisions in comparison to men who were wearing seat belts when certain variables like collision severity, age, stature, and vehicle model year were controlled. The study found that there was a higher discrepancy in injuries based on gender when the collision caused injuries to the lower extremities. Additionally, injured victims age 66 and older were susceptible especially to thoracic injury.
Newer automobiles have shown a decreased of overall injury, including for skull fractures, abdominal injuries and cervical spine injuries. Additionally, injuries to the hip, thigh, knee and ankle are reduced in newer vehicles.
Need for Further Research
The locations of the body that have realized a decrease in injuries provide insights into how innovations in vehicle technology have provided greater protections to vehicle occupants. Additionally, they provide information about the types of injuries and risk factors that need to be further researched. For example, new vehicle models have not been associated with a decreased risk of serious rib fractures or sternum fractures. One of the main researchers for the study stated that a better understanding of the fundamental biomechanical factors that contributed to an increased risk of injury for women is necessary to make a meaningful impact on reducing this risk.
Legal Help for Accident Victims
If you are a woman who was injured in a motor vehicle collision or were otherwise harmed in a car accident, it is important to discuss your legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury lawyer. He or she can review the circumstances surrounding your accident and the parties responsible for the damages you have sustained. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers for help with your case.
