Women 1.6 Times More Likely to Be Injured in Accidents, Study Finds

Women face a significantly higher risk of injury in traffic accidents compared to men, even when sharing the same vehicle. Research conducted by the Vehicle Safety Institute at Graz University of Technology in Austria revealed that women are 1.6 times more likely to be injured.

The study, which analyzed approximately 2,000 real-world traffic accidents in Austria between 2012 and 2024, used computer simulations to reconstruct individual crashes. This allowed researchers to compare the physical effects of collisions on men and women.

Analysis showed that women sustained disproportionately more injuries to specific body parts, including the chest, spine, arms, and legs. The findings also indicated that older women were particularly vulnerable to severe harm. In low-speed accidents, the probability of serious injury or death for women was more than double that for men.

Dr. Corina Klug, who led the research, stated that the results highlight a concerning disparity in how vehicle impacts affect women's bodies. The study utilized virtual human models, reflecting various seating positions, to assess the forces exerted on individuals during a crash.

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The analysis showed that women sustained disproportionately more injuries, particularly in the chest, spine, arms, and legs.