Advocates Push for Inclusion of Advanced Dummies to Enhance Women's Safety in Automobiles

As one of the nation’s premier personal injury and mass tort law firms, we are capable of successfully handling all types of cases. If you or a loved one are injured due to the negligence of another, there is no better place to help advocate for your rights than Parker Waichman LLP.

Advocates Push for Inclusion of Advanced Dummies to Enhance Women's Safety in Automobiles

In an era where automotive safety has made significant strides, concerns persist regarding the disproportionate risk women face in car crashes. Research from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights this disparity, revealing that women are 73% more likely to sustain serious injuries in crashes compared to men. The outdated crash test dummies used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have long been criticized for failing to account for the physiological differences between men and women, leaving female drivers and passengers at greater risk.

Experts emphasize that the development and integration of modern female crash dummies into safety testing protocols could be a game-changer in mitigating this risk. Susan Cronn, a researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin, underscores the specific vulnerabilities faced by women in crashes, including lower extremity injuries, concussions, and neck injuries. Furthermore, the lack of adequate representation of female anatomy in crash test dummies contributes to the severity of injuries sustained by women, as demonstrated by real-life incidents such as Maria Weston Kuhn’s harrowing experience.

The road to implementing advanced female crash dummies, however, has been fraught with challenges. Despite efforts by manufacturers like Humanetics to produce more accurate and anatomically representative dummies, bureaucratic hurdles and delays have impeded their widespread adoption. While Humanetics has developed the THOR-5F dummy, equipped with features mirroring female anatomy and enhanced sensors to predict injuries, regulatory approval from NHTSA remains pending. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg acknowledges the need for further modifications to ensure durability and accuracy before widespread deployment.

In response to mounting pressure and recommendations from the GAO, NHTSA has committed to incorporating the THOR-5F dummy into regulations, albeit with delays pushing the implementation timeline to September 2024. This timeline underscores the urgency of the issue, as each delay prolongs the exposure of women to unnecessary risks on the road. As advocates like Maria Weston Kuhn emphasize, the need for action is urgent, driven by the widespread prevalence of injuries and fatalities among women in car crashes.

Free Consultation
Parker Waichman LLP
Are you inquiring about a new matter?
What type of accident did you have?
Please share a few details about your inquiry so we can connect you with the best person to assist you.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
4.8 from 549 Reviews

Client Reviews

Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.

Parker Waichman LLP helped my family with my father's 9/11 VCF Claim. My dad was in downtown Manhattan when 9/11 happened. Because of that he was diagnosed with COPD. Unfortunately, in early 2020 when COVID hit, he passed away. It was determined that his COPD from 9/11 was a contributing factor in his death. Working with Parker Waichman during such a difficult time was so helpful. Tina Morace was an absolute godsend in the process. Any questions I had, and there were many, were answered immediately. She always responded with a phone call and an email to follow so that I had everything in writing. I highly recommend their services to anyone who is in need.
Lisa Rooney
11 months ago
Thank you to all the help I received from your firm. A special thanks to Benita Rollis who was extremely helpful & understanding. I recommend this firm highly. Thx & God Bless 🇺🇸
prakash chetri
2 years ago
I have the highest level of confidence in Parker Waichman. They are one of the very brightest law firms I have ever known. Their recent very successful settlement of my case, is another indication of how skilled they are.
Myles Haught
8 years ago
Excellent and professional service!
Rodney Blount
2 months ago

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.