Curious to know what determines the true cost of an accident?
Believe it or not… the vehicles involved matter more than most people realize. Especially when it comes to auto accident scene investigation and your Dallas auto accident attorney cost assessment.
Cars. Trucks. Motorcycles. They all play a big role.
Here’s what you’ll uncover:
- Why Vehicle Type Matters In An Accident
- How Different Vehicles Affect Injury Risk & Insurance Claims
- Motorcycles Cost The Most Per Mile Driven
- Large Trucks Cause The Largest Financial Damage
- And how you can protect yourself.
Why Vehicle Type Matters In An Accident
Have you ever watched rubber cars slam into cars in commercials?
Sadly, accidents aren’t always textbook collisions between two equally sized vehicles.
A sedan crashing into another sedan looks nothing like a motorcycle tearing under a semi truck.
Size, weight, passenger capacity and safety features all play a significant role in vehicle collisions. Which vehicles are involved affects:
Injuries
- Larger/heavier vehicles better protect their occupants
- However… those vehicles cause more damage to others
- Crush injuries, traumatic amputations and PTSD from truck accidents are very real costs
- Insurance claims and fault depend heavily on vehicle type
Property Damage
- Not all cars are created equal when it comes to repair bills
- Luxury vehicle drivers often see higher damages
- RV, truck and motorcycle collisions require specialized repair estimates
How Different Vehicles Affect Injury Risk & Insurance Claims
The majority of registered vehicles in the United States are passenger vehicles.
Sedans, SUVs, vans and pickup trucks account for approximately 92% of all vehicles on the road according to IIHS.org.
Furthermore, they represent the majority of vehicles involved in accidents each year. Crashes between cars, trucks and SUVs account for roughly 60% of traffic fatalities.
But some passenger vehicles pose greater risks than others.
SUVs and Pickup Trucks
- Increased weight puts others at risk in accidents
- Higher likelihood of serious injury / fatalities to other parties
- Tends to drive up injury-related costs and claim amounts
Smaller Passenger Vehicles
- Cars with lesser safety ratings leave occupants vulnerable
- Lower-positioned bumper puts occupants of taller vehicles at risk
- Legal responsibility often falls on smaller vehicle driver
When reviewing a police accident report or conducting an accident scene investigation, take note of the vehicles involved. If someone was driving a sedan and got hit by an SUV, higher injury and repair costs are likely.
Likewise… if the SUV driver was at fault, plenty of insurance coverage and a good lawyer will be needed.
Exact cost differences are coming up.
Motorcycles Cost The Most Per Mile Driven
Did you know motorcycles only make up 3% of registered vehicles in the United States?
And they cause almost 15% of all traffic fatalities.
For every mile driven, motorcycle riders are involved in deadly accidents at a rate nearly 28 times higher than passenger vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spreads that risk out over cost like this:
- Motorcyclist dies in crash: $9.3 Million
- Passenger car driver dies: $3.8 Million
Why?
Because motorcycles offer zero structural protection.
Airbags? No.
Seatbelt? Not built into the vehicle.
Steel frame to absorb impact? Forget about it.
It’s the rider vs the road.
That means higher risks and higher costs for motorcycle accidents.
- Medical Expenses. Head trauma, spinal cord injuries, lung damage. Motorcycle accidents tend to throw every costly injury at riders.
- Loss of Income. Serious injuries require time off of work. Sometimes never allowing a rider to return.
- Legal Fees. Motorcycle accidents almost always come with legal action. Who’s at fault? Were they negligent? Disputes need attorneys.
Rolling the dice and getting lucky with a minor fender bender is possible. But one serious motorcycle crash can be financially devastating. Statistically speaking, that bad crash is coming.
Large Trucks Cause The Largest Financial Damage
If motorcycles cost the most per mile driven… large truck accidents are far and away the most expensive type of crash.
5,472 people lost their lives in accidents involving large trucks in 2023.
Here’s the alarming part… 70% of those killed were NOT the truck driver. They were passengers in other vehicles.
That extra weight and height does not spare people when a truck crashes.
Everything from property damage to cargo costs to injury severity spikes with large trucks.
- Large trucks involve more parties. Other motorists, cargo companies, trucking firms and more need representation.
- They hold much higher insurance limits. Which means bigger injury settlements.
- Truck accidents cause severe injuries to occupants of other vehicles. Broken bones, trauma and costly lawsuits.
- Criminal charges and liability often come into play. Accidents need to be re-investigated.
Accidents with big rigs aren’t just expensive… they can change lives forever for those in other vehicles. That’s why they settle for millions.
How SUVs And Crossovers Fit In
The low sides and the high sides of the road have been covered.
Large trucks and motorcycles take the cake in their respective categories.
But for sheer volume, popularity and statistical significance… it’s important to talk about SUVs.
These durable fixtures account for nearly one-third of all passenger vehicles in America.
Most SUV owners don’t think about the harm they can cause in a crash.
Parking lot accidents are common… and they don’t paint SUV drivers in the best light.
Because they sit higher off the ground, the first point of impact is often another driver’s chest or head.
Lower-profile cars don’t have crumple zones designed to absorb that level of damage. Just injured passengers.
Again… more costly injuries = more costly claims.
Lowering Your Risk After Reading This
Now that the impact of vehicle type on injury risk and insurance claims is clear… the next step is protection.
The reality is there’s only so much that can be done.
Drive a motorcycle? Accept the fact that life could change, costing tens of thousands if not more. Purchase plenty of insurance and always wear a helmet.
Ride in a large truck? Make sure loads are secure and defensive driving is a priority. These accidents happen quickly and crush passenger vehicles.
But for car drivers…
Take the proper precautions. Know the vehicle’s safety ratings. Don’t drive distracted or impaired. And study up on state driving laws.
Nobody can control who they share the road with but everyone can control how they drive around them.
That’s A Wrap
Accidents come in all shapes and sizes. And depending on the vehicles involved, costs can reach well into the six figures.
Did you know being hit by a truck could cost upwards of $3 Million? Or a motorcycle crash that breaks a leg? That could mean $1 Million in medical bills.
The moral of the story: Drive safe, know the limits and always wear a seatbelt.
Drive any vehicle responsibly, and no matter what the ride is, the risk of costly accidents will go way down.
