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Women are at increased risk of experiencing serious injury in a car accident
Car accidents are an unfortunate reality of modern life, posing a significant risk to drivers and passengers. However, new studies have confirmed that women are more susceptible to injuries and fatalities in car accidents than men. This is consistent across multiple datasets, and it’s also what our car accident lawyers here in Philidelphia have seen firsthand with the clients we’ve represented. There are some natural risk factors but MyPhillyLawyer believes many of these risks are a result of injustices that have left women out of the science of car accident safety.
Women are more likely than men to be injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. Multiple studies bear this out. Why is this the case? Why are women more at risk?
What are Some Biological Risk Factors for Women in Car Accidents?
Even when women follow all safety protocols, like using seatbelts and engaging passenger airbags, they are still at greater risk in automobile accidents than men. In fact, female drivers and front-right passengers are 17 percent more likely to die in car accidents than men. And seatbelt-wearing women in any position in a car are 73 percent more likely to be injured than seatbelt-wearing men.
One of the reasons women tend to suffer more serious injuries in car accidents relates to biological differences between men and women. Multiple studies of both ordinary people and athletes have shown that women generally have less muscle mass and bone density compared to men, making them more vulnerable to severe injuries during collisions.
While differences in muscle mass vary widely based on the population sample, studies that contain large sets of men and women who range from inactive individuals to athletes find men, on average, have around 38 percent greater muscle mass than women.
Some studies have revealed up to 3000 differently expressed genes in male and female skeletal muscle. Men and women not only have different muscle mass, but they also have different percentages of the types of skeletal muscle, like slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscles, and research has revealed differences in the muscle fiber itself.
Other research, such as a report published by Frontiers in Public Health, shows that female bodies react differently to blood loss, putting them at a higher risk of shock than men.
Furthermore, female bodies are structured differently, particularly in terms of pelvic anatomy, which can lead to different injury patterns during crashes. The structural design of seat belts and airbags, which are calibrated mainly based on average male figures, can sometimes be less effective for women.
Vehicle Safety Measures Have Been Designed by Men, For Men and That Needs to Change
Another pivotal aspect contributing to the increased risk for women is the design and testing of vehicle safety features. Most crash test dummies used in safety tests are modeled on the average male body. This oversight leads to a lack of comprehensive safety data for women, ultimately resulting in protection measures that do not account for female-specific anatomy and posture in typical driving scenarios.
The automotive industry has largely overlooked a crucial factor in car safety engineering: the proper representation of women in crash tests. Various studies have pointed out that women are less likely to receive high levels of protection from seat belts and airbags due to these differences. For example, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that even when women wear seat belts, they're still 73 percent more likely to suffer a serious personal injury in a car crash than men in the same kind of crash.
This glaring oversight becomes evident when examining the crash test dummies commonly used in evaluations, which are predominantly modeled on the average male physique. The repercussions of this gender bias are significant, as the design and implementation of safety features in vehicles do not account for the anatomical and physiological differences of half the driving population. The result is a higher risk of injury and fatality for women involved in car accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the risks to a woman of injuries in a car crash compared to a male driver or right-front passenger of the same age to be:
22.1 percent higher risk
Chest Injuries
26.4 percent higher risk
Neck Injuries
44.7 percent higher risk
Arm Injuries
58.2 percent higher risk
Injuries to the Abdomen
38.5 percent higher risk
Leg Injuries
79.7 percent higher risk
Crash Test Dummies Didn’t Reflect the Average Woman Until 2023
Believe it or not the original crash test dummies weren’t dummies at all, they were living, breathing, men. When test dummies replace live testers, they were made to represent the average 171 pound male just under 6 feet tall. Those figures are now obsolete.
Aside from no longer representing the average male, the test dummy also fails to replicate the unique features of the female body, such as differences in muscle mass distribution, bone density, as we discussed above, and even the positioning of internal organs. As a consequence, safety features designed based on these male-centric tests do not offer the same level of protection for women, leaving them more vulnerable on the road.
Despite the pressing nature of this issue, progress has been slow. Efforts to introduce female crash test dummies have been hampered by a range of challenges, from regulatory inertia to the industry's reluctance to overhaul established testing protocols. However, some advances have been made.
As of 2023, a female crash test dummy finally exists, but it isn’t yet required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Driving Patterns of Men vs Women
Behavioral factors also come into play when considering why women may be more susceptible to severe injuries in car accidents. Women and men often exhibit different driving behaviors and times of travel. Women are more likely to be involved in accidents during daytime hours and in urban settings, where traffic is more dense, and the chances of collisions are higher.
Moreover, studies suggest that men are generally more prone to taking risks, such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol, which could, paradoxically, contribute to lower injury rates for women as they tend to be more cautious. However, when accidents do occur involving women, the situations often result in more severe consequences due to the conditions under which they happen.
Driving patterns of women and men
Women and men drive at different times and exhibit different behaviors. While men are more likely to be drivers, the role of women in accidents cannot be ignored. For example, men account for 62% of all driving but only cause 58% of all accidents.
Demographic-based driving statistics:
Men are 13% more likely to feel confident driving alone at night
men cause, on average, 6.1 million accidents annually
Women cause, on average, 4.4 million accidents annually
25% of drivers over 65 fear they will experience poor night vision
Women are More Likely to Be Passengers
More often than men, women occupy the role of passengers rather than drivers. This passenger status exposes them to different types of risks compared to drivers. For instance, passengers, especially those seated in the front seat, are susceptible to injuries from dashboard impacts or airbag deployment. Impacts that were likely not accounted for by female test dummies and, therefore, engineers designed safety features around men.
Moreover, the vehicle's structure often fails to provide the same level of protection in the passenger seat as it does for the driver, resulting in higher injury risks for women who are more likely to be passengers.
Pennsylvania Women are Equally at Risk of Greater Injury in a Car Accident
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) data shows there was over 110,000 car accidents in Pennsylvania in 2023 alone, resulting in 1,209 fatalities and 66,563 injuries. Digging deeper into these statistics shows that a disproportionate number of these fatalities involved female passengers.
Women Prefer Smaller Cars Which Also Contributes to Greater Risk of Injury in an Accident
Women’s vehicle preferences have significant implications for crash injury outcomes, largely due to differences in vehicle size and structural protection. Research shows that women are statistically more likely to drive smaller cars compared to men, who often choose larger vehicles such as SUVs and trucks. This disparity in vehicle choice is linked to increased injury risk for women in the event of a crash. Smaller vehicles, by their nature, have less mass and structural integrity, which can make them less effective at absorbing and dissipating crash forces. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) highlights that larger vehicles, including SUVs and trucks, generally provide better protection for their occupants in collisions. This is primarily because these vehicles have more mass and are designed to withstand higher forces, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries for their occupants.
The relationship between vehicle size and crash outcomes is well-documented. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that women driving smaller vehicles experience a higher risk of injury compared to men driving larger ones. This increased risk is attributed to the smaller vehicle’s reduced ability to absorb crash energy and its generally less robust structural design. According to the study, when a smaller car collides with a larger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller car are more likely to suffer severe injuries due to the size and mass disparity (American Journal of Public Health).
Gender differences in vehicle preferences further exacerbate this issue. A 2018 study in Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour analyzed the reasons behind women’s tendency to drive smaller vehicles. The study found that women often prioritize factors such as fuel efficiency and maneuverability, which are characteristics of smaller cars. While these features have practical benefits, they come with trade-offs in terms of crash safety. The study underscores the need for continued improvement in vehicle safety technologies to address these disparities and enhance protection for all drivers, regardless of vehicle size (Transportation Research Part F)
MyPhillyLawyer Supports Stronger Regulations and Requirements for Women to be Represented in Crash Test and Safety Engineering
Our auto accident lawyers at MyPhillyLawyer are not only focused on getting compensation for those injured in car accidents and their families; we also want to prevent injuries and advocate for safer roads. That’s why we believe it’s essential to mandate female crash test dummies be used in vehicle safety tests to better understand how accidents impact women and to design inclusive safety features accordingly. This should be required by federal law. It is incomprehensible that more than half of drivers on Pennsylvania’s highways and America’s roads are women but that they’re not represented in safety tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys have handled thousands of serious and fatal motor vehicle accident cases, including:
1. Are women really more likely to be injured in car accidents compared to men?
Yes, multiple studies have shown that women are more likely to be severely injured or killed in car accidents. This is due to several factors, including biological differences, vehicle safety design predominantly tailored for men, and the types of vehicles women are more likely to drive.
2. What can be done to improve car safety for women?
Improvements can be made by using female crash test dummies in vehicle safety tests, advocating for better car seat belt designs, and ensuring that airbag systems are calibrated to offer optimal protection for people of all body types.
3. How can psychological support benefit women after car accidents?
Women are more likely to suffer from PTSD after car accidents. Access to targeted psychological support can help women recover emotionally and regain their confidence in driving, thereby improving their overall quality of life following such traumatic events.
Our Record of Success: Verdicts & Settlements
These are just examples of the car accident and injury cases we successfully handle every year. Our Philadelphia law firm recovers millions of dollars annually for clients.
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Birth injury causing brain damage0MILLION
Brain injury from ATV accident0MILLION
Tractor Trailer collision resulting in death0MILLION
Shattered hip, high-impact car crash0MILLION
Car crash resulting in shattered hipFrom our clients
