How does the type of vehicle that you drive have an impact on your safety and the people you care about? Studies about vehicle safety have shown that the quality and construction of the vehicle you drive can have a significant impact on your safety. A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) examined the death rates for vehicles manufactured in 2011 compared to older vehicles. Overall, they determined that newer cars offer enhanced protections and increase safety for motorists. However, injuries still occur in Providence car accidents.
What Did The Study Show?
In a three-year span, the average death rate fell from 48 fatalities per million vehicles registered in 2008 vehicles to 28 fatalities per million registrations in 2011 vehicles – a reduction of more than 41 percent. The IIHS study shows that safety improvements in vehicles are the main reason for the drop in fatalities. In addition, vehicles with improved structures and modern safety features saved about 7,700 lives in 2012. Generally, bigger cars proved safer than smaller ones and four-wheel drives also made a big difference when it came to safety. However, there are also unsafe models out there. So, while some vehicles are performing better because of safety improvements such as side curtain airbags and electronic stability control, the improvements are not benefitting all drivers.
What Were The Most Unsafe Cars?
According to the IIHS report, the 2011 Kia Rio had the highest rate of death with 149 fatalities expected per million registrations. The Nissan Versa sedan had 130 fatalities and the Hyundai Accent came in third with 120. These three makes and models were apparently the worst performing vehicles examined in the study. On the other hand, the safest cars were the Audi A4 4WD, the Honda Odyssey, the Kia Sorento 2WD, Lexus RX350 4WD, Mercedes Benz GL-Class 4WD, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Sequoia and Volvo XC90.
Why Should We Drive Safe Vehicles?
Providence car accidents can have devastating results and driving a safe vehicle can be one layer of protection. Car accidents in Providence often cause injuries to drivers and their occupants that can result in high medical expenses, losing income and other losses.
Despite vehicles getting safer, we also broke the record in 2014 for the largest number of vehicles recalled. During this year, automakers issued more than 550 recalls for more than 52 million vehicles. Among them, GM recalled millions of vehicles for ignition problems. In addition, millions of vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags were recalled. This shows that the newest vehicles are not necessarily the safest and drivers can still get injured in Providence car accidents.
Speak With A Providence Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured a car accident, contact one of d’Oliveira & Associates experienced Providence car accident lawyers located at 390 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you win your case. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us today at 401-831-8600 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out our contact form online.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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