When it comes to picking a vehicle for yourself or your family, safety is often one of the biggest concerns. Deciding between an SUV and a sedan isn’t always easy. SUVs typically offer more protection in crashes because of their size and sturdier frames. However, they are also more likely to be involved in serious accidents due to their higher risk of rolling over.
To make the right choice, it’s important to consider several factors, such as safety features, crash statistics, and fatality rates. However, this study by Therman Law is here to help you make the best choice for you and your family. Here’s what the data tells us and how you can use it to make an informed decision.
Understanding the Risk of Fatal Crashes
Car accidents are a major cause of death in the United States. In 2022, there were 42,514 deaths from motor vehicle crashes. In Illinois, car accidents were the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, resulting in 1,268 fatalities. Many of these deaths could have been prevented. One way to lower your risk is by choosing a safer vehicle.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), light trucks were the most frequently involved in fatal crashes. This group includes SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. Passenger vehicles like sedans, hatchbacks, and convertibles followed closely behind.
Looking deeper into the numbers, sedans accounted for 15,757 of the 20,049 fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles. SUVs, on the other hand, were involved in 14,117 of the 25,807 fatal crashes among light trucks. This suggests that while both types are commonly involved in serious accidents, sedans have a higher fatality rate among passenger vehicles.
In Illinois specifically, there were 1,853 vehicles involved in fatal accidents in 2022. Here’s the breakdown:
- 740 light trucks (39.9%)
- 648 passenger vehicles (35%)
- 217 large trucks (11.7%)
- 135 motorcycles (8.4%)
- 83 specialty/other vehicles (4.5%)
- 10 buses (0.5%)
Safety Considerations for Each Vehicle Type
Sedans, with their smaller size and lighter frames, don’t offer as much protection in a crash as SUVs. Occupants in sedans are at a greater risk for serious injury or death because there is less material to absorb the impact of a collision.
SUVs generally provide better protection in the event of a crash thanks to their size and height. However, that same height and weight also make them more likely to tip over, especially during sharp turns or high-speed maneuvers. Rollovers are a major concern when it comes to SUV safety.
In collisions between an SUV and a sedan, the size difference gives the SUV a clear advantage. When two vehicles involved in a crash differ in weight by around 1,000 pounds, the risk of death for the person in the smaller vehicle increases by nearly 50% compared to a crash between vehicles of equal weight.
Does Vehicle Color Play a Role?
Believe it or not, the color of your vehicle can impact your chances of being involved in a crash. Dark-colored cars—like black, gray, silver, blue, green, and red—are harder to see on the road. These vehicles have a 7% to 15% higher risk of being in an accident compared to lighter-colored vehicles such as white, yellow, orange, or gold.
Tips for Staying Safe on the Road
Regardless of the vehicle you drive, there are steps you can take to reduce your crash risk:
- Sedan drivers should keep a safe distance from larger vehicles, stay visible, and consider investing in advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking or lane departure warnings.
- SUV drivers should be extra cautious when turning to prevent rollovers and brake sooner to account for their vehicle’s longer stopping time.
What to Do After a Crash
If you’ve been involved in a crash, it’s important to get the legal support you need. Whether you’re driving a sedan or an SUV, knowing your rights and options is key to protecting yourself and your passengers.
Choosing the right vehicle is only one part of staying safe on the road. Staying alert, following traffic laws, and using proper safety tools can go a long way in preventing serious accidents.