The Rise of Bigger Vehicles and Deadly Truck Pedestrian Accidents

New Research from the New York Times Reveals How Larger Vehicles Put More Pedestrians & Cyclists at Risk

In America, bigger is often considered better. This mentality gets applied everywhere, from fast food meal deals to television screens, houses, and more. Even vehicle manufacturers release larger models every year to outdo their competitors, but at what cost? A new study by the New York Times suggests the price is thousands of lives.

The Reality of Big Trucks and SUVs

Since 2009, the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents every year has risen by roughly 75%. The New York Times determined that vehicle size is a key factor in these accidents, estimating that approximately 10% of pedestrians would not have died if vehicles had stayed the same size over the last 25 years.

What’s Causing More Pedestrians to Die in Vehicle Accidents?

Taller Hoods

One critical issue discovered by the Times was an ever-growing hood height. The taller a hood is, the higher the risk. For example, a truck with a 4-foot hood height will hit a pedestrian in the chest instead of their legs and make it more likely that the pedestrian will be knocked down and even run over.

Numerically, the Times estimates that the risk of a pedestrian fatality increases by 2.8% for every one-inch increase in hood height. The newspaper also reports that the average man, standing about 5 feet 9 inches tall, is likely to be knocked to the ground by approximately 39% of today’s vehicles. But in 2002, that number would be about 10% less.

Thicker A-Pillars

The year 2009 also brought forward an initiative from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to increase roof strength after a series of fatal rollover accidents. To meet this new requirement, vehicle manufacturers installed thicker A-pillars, which are located on either side of the windshield and connect the hood to the roof.

Former longtime Ford engineering manager James Forbes told the Times that as A-pillars increased in width, driver visibility decreased. Even though this made drivers safer in the event of a rollover, it made it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists.

Larger Blind Zones

Every vehicle has a blind zone, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that vehicles with larger blind zones were at a higher risk of colliding with a pedestrian when turning left.

The Times compared four of the most frequently sold pickups today to the 1990s or early 2000s models, including the Chevy Silverado, the Ford F-150, the Toyota Tacoma, and the GMC Sierra.

The Silverado’s blind zones are almost twice as big as they used to be, while the Tacoma and the Sierra both have blind zones that are roughly 60% larger. The F-150’s blind zone also grew by approximately 25%.

Manufacturing Costs Are the Same

Even though the cost of manufacturing larger vehicles isn’t much more than the cost of making smaller ones, consumers are willing to pay a significantly higher price for them. For example, a brand new Ford F-450, which has a hood height of about 5 feet, costs between $75,000 and $117,000. A new Toyota Camry sedan, on the other hand, costs the consumer around $30,000.

There are also fewer passenger cars available from automakers. The Times points out that Ford went from selling over 1 million of these vehicles per year in 2017 to less than 100,000 by 2022.

Read the New York Times article: The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s

2025 Massachusetts Crash Data

In 2025 in Massachusetts, there were 2964 recorded crashes that involved a pedestrian or cyclist colliding with a truck, SUV, or passenger vehicle. Here’s the breakdown:

Source: MassDOT

This data highlights the disparity between accident severity and the involvement of passenger cars versus trucks and SUVs. Even though passenger cars account for the majority of collisions resulting in injury, they are involved in significantly fewer fatal crashes. Overall, trucks and SUVs represent a substantially larger share of deadly pedestrian and cyclist collisions in Massachusetts.

Practical Safety Tips for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Cyclists

For Drivers

Many pedestrian and cyclist accidents can be avoided when drivers take a little extra care, especially if they’re in a larger vehicle. When you drive, try to:

• Slow down near intersections and crosswalks
• Check around your vehicle for pedestrians and cyclists before turning or changing lanes
• Give bike riders and pedestrians plenty of room
• Avoid distractions while driving
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol

For Pedestrians

Accident injuries are often more severe for pedestrians, since they have no protection from the force of a car or truck. When walking, make sure you:

• Maintain good visibility to vehicle drivers
• Avoid walking at night when possible
• Pay close attention to traffic around you
• Avoid wearing headphones that impact your ability to hear
• Use sidewalks and marked pedestrian paths
• Use crosswalks and intersections

For Bicycle and eBike Riders

Cyclists and eBike riders face many of the same risks as pedestrians but may encounter additional dangers because they travel alongside moving traffic. To make yourself more visible and predictable to drivers:

• Use designated bike lanes when available
• Use lights and reflective equipment when riding at night
• Watch for vehicles turning across your path at intersections
• Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet to help reduce the risk of serious head injury

Helpful Resources

Bicycle vs. Truck Accidents

eBike and Scooter Accidents

eBike Accidents 101

Catastrophic Bicycle Accident Injuries & Claims

Causes of eBike Accidents

eBike Accident Liability

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries & What To Do At The Scene (Podcast)

What Are My Rights as a Cyclist in Massachusetts?

6 Bicycle Safety Habits for Avoiding Accidents

How to Avoid eBike Accidents

The Importance of Bicycle Helmets (Podcast)

Defensive Biking & Avoiding Bicycle Accidents

When Do You Need a Massachusetts Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Were You or a Loved One Involved in a Bicycle, eBike, or Pedestrian Accident?

If you or a family member were hurt in an accident involving a large vehicle while you were walking or biking, Mazow | McCullough, PC can help you hold the right people accountable. Contact us to discuss your legal options and next steps by calling (978) 862-7195 or toll-free at (855) 546-2117.