I wasn't really trying to be cute. SUVs, and cars in general, can contribute to both major and minor crashes. Major if they hit you directly, minor if they run you off into a ditch or otherwise cause you to fall without directly impacting you. If there were no cars at all on the roads, I'd probably ride out in the center of the lane all the time and reduce my risk of all types of falls. And major or minor, I still feel at least somewhat protected with the helmet. I've gone over the handlebars (and tacoed my front wheel in the process) avoiding another rider who pulled up short, and taken a direct hit to the helmet. I ended up with a cracked rib, nothing more. I don't know whether the helmet saved me from a more serious injury or not, nor do I really care. It's better than having nothing on my head.