Mark Roman | October 7, 2014 | Car Accidents

Over the past decade, European and Asian car manufacturers implemented new design protocols for pedestrian safety. While some factors, such as visibility, are designed to prevent vehicle-pedestrian accidents, new cars come with features to minimize pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision. Some design features, for example, create space underneath the hood of the car to prevent accident victims from coming into contact with the car’s engine. Common design features include:

  • Hood Elevation
    The elevation ratio between the front of the car and the base of the hood is important. Raising the base of the hood creates more space between the engine of the vehicle and the vehicle exterior. This also raises the windshield of the car.
  • Wheel Size
    Even wheel size is determined by pedestrian safety standards. Before the new regulations, tire openings were smaller. To compensate for other modifications in the vehicle body, designers began fitting proportionately sized tires into the new openings.
  • Seating Position
    Hood elevation forces the windshield back, forcing vehicle designers to raise the dashboard, cowl and seating as well. This is an important feature because it increases visibility, especially for the driver, which can prevent accidents with pedestrians.

Can vehicle design really improve pedestrian safety?

According to research, vehicle design has proven to significantly influence pedestrian safety during an accident. Over one million people are killed in pedestrian accidents every year. While pedestrian-vehicle accidents will always carry a higher potential for injury and death, certain elements of the vehicle design can actually decrease the impact of an accident. In fact, some manufacturers have regulations to protect the victim’s limbs, head, and more.

What to do After a Car Accident

If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a serious car accident, speak with a Clearwater personal injury attorney from Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers today. We believe that victims of serious car accidents have the right to pursue financial compensation for their injuries.

Contact the Clearwater Car Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Clearwater. We have five convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.

We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442