Hybrids May Protect Occupants in Crashes, But May Also Increase Pedestrian Accident Risk

By Grant Law Office on February 23, 2012

Hybrid cars seem to offer slightly better protection from death or serious injuries in vehicle crashes, according to a recent study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). However, they are also involved in slightly more pedestrian accidents. Researchers believe the particular qualities of hybrids – additional weight and less noise, respectively – are responsible for these results.

Hybrids offered a 25 percent reduction in serious injury risk in motor vehicle crashes when compared to similar vehicles that only had conventional internal combustion engines, according to a recent study. Researchers believe this added protection comes from the fact that hybrids, which carry a battery system in addition to a standard gas engine, are slightly heavier than conventional vehicles of the same size, making them less likely to be pushed into other cars or objects.

However, in the same time period, hybrids were also involved in 20 percent more pedestrian accidents than standard vehicles, according to the HLDI study. Here, researchers believe the hybrid’s electric motor, which is far quieter than a standard gas engine, is to blame. Pedestrians who can’t hear a hybrid coming are more likely to step in front of it, and the driver may not be able to stop or swerve in time to avoid a crash.

At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our experienced Georgia pedestrian accident attorneys have the legal resources and courtroom experience to represent injured people and their families in all pedestrian accident cases. To learn more, call our office today at (404) 995-3955 for a free consultation.