Car accidents claim the lives of more than 42,000 people each year in the United States, with another 2.3 million injured, or one injury every 12 seconds. While road safety remains a pressing concern for all drivers, a new analysis by DeMayo Law finds that women face disproportionate risks of serious injury and death due to outdated crash test standards that fail to account for body diversity.
The Gender Gap in Crash Safety
According to NHTSA data, men account for 30,669 of 42,514 crash fatalities, but the risk profile for women is far worse when injuries are considered:
- Women are three times more likely than men to sustain moderate injuries such as broken bones.
- Women are twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries.
- A seatbelt-wearing woman is 73% more likely than a man to be seriously injured in a frontal crash, and 17% more likely to die.
“These statistics reveal a systemic failure in auto safety testing that puts women at a clear disadvantage,” said a spokesperson for DeMayo Law Offices. “Crash test technology has not kept pace with science or with the real-world demographics of drivers.”
Crash Test Dummies: Designed for Men, Ignoring Women
Since the 1970s, crash test dummies have been central to automotive safety testing. However, the dummies were historically based on male body sizes and proportions:
- The “standard male dummy” is 5’9” and 171 pounds — hardly representative of the diversity of male body types today.
- A “female dummy” was not introduced until 2003, and is rarely used — appearing in only two of eight crash test scenarios.
- Even this “female dummy” is just a scaled-down male model, standing 4’11” and weighing 108 pounds — not representative of the national average female driver.
Meanwhile, real-world body sizes have changed dramatically:
- Since 1960, the average male weight has increased from 166 pounds to 191 pounds.
- The average female weight has increased from 140 pounds to 164 pounds.
- Obese drivers face a 54–61% higher injury risk compared to median-weight drivers.
Other groups — including pregnant individuals, elderly drivers, disabled drivers, and those who are taller than average — remain completely overlooked in current crash test protocols.
Top 10 Injuries Women Suffer More Often Than Men
DeMayo’s analysis highlights the most common injuries disproportionately affecting women in crashes:
- Whiplash – 83% more likely
- Leg fractures/ligament tears – 79.7%
- Arm fractures/nerve damage – 58.2%
- Neck injuries (discs, facet joints) – 44.7%
- Abdominal injuries (liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines) – 38.5%
- Chest injuries (ribs, sternum, lungs, heart) – 24.5%
- Head injuries (skull fractures, hematomas) – 22.1%
- Pelvic fractures/dysfunction – 18%
- Ankle injuries – 12%
- Spinal injuries – 5%
A Call for Change
There are encouraging signs that policymakers and automakers are beginning to address these issues:
- In 2024, Senator Deb Fischer (NE) introduced legislation mandating the use of updated female crash dummies in safety testing — a move that could save an estimated 1,300 lives annually.
- Automakers like Volvo, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz have begun incorporating virtual female crash models.
- Sweden’s National Road and Transport Research Institute has developed a more accurate female crash dummy, but adoption remains limited.
Currently, Toyota is the only best-selling car brand to incorporate a female crash test dummy in its safety testing, and only in virtual form.
Protecting Yourself Now
Until testing and regulations evolve, DeMayo Law Offices recommends that female drivers take proactive safety measures:
- Choose vehicles with top safety ratings and advanced crash protection features.
- Adjust headrests and seats properly to reduce whiplash risk.
- Avoid sitting too close to the dashboard and airbags.
- Maintain good driving posture.
- Always wear a seatbelt.
“Safety standards must evolve to protect all drivers, not just the average-sized man,” said the DeMayo spokesperson. “Women, taller individuals, elderly drivers, and those with different body types deserve equal protection in vehicles. Updating crash test technology is no longer optional; it’s a matter of life and death.”
About the Study
The analysis reviewed crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and supporting research from global automotive safety organizations. It focused on gender disparities in injury outcomes, limitations of current crash test technology, and the need for inclusive testing that reflects real-world drivers.
