Ever Wonder What The Most and Least Safe Cars Are?
For a lot of drivers, car safety is extremely important, and it’s easy to see why. Opting for a vehicle that emphasizes safety features can not only give you a sense of security but also help protect lives if an accident occurs. However, with the vast array of car brands and models available today, figuring out which ones offer the best safety can be quite challenging.
Accidents and Vehicle Safety Statistics
Recent data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that the likelihood of dying in a car crash has decreased by a third in the past three years, thanks to advancements in design and safety features in newer cars. This means that your chances of surviving a car accident could really depend on the type of vehicle you are in.
In 2012, there were 33,561 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents, but the IIHS suggests that advancements in vehicle design since 1985 have led to 7,700 fewer driver deaths that year. Analyzing the death rate statistics from 1985 to 2012 reveals that improvements in structural design, the introduction of various safety features, and the development of new vehicle types have played a crucial role in lowering the number of driver fatalities. Features such as airbags for drivers, passengers, and side impacts have significantly increased the chances of survival in crashes, and SUVs, which were once considered highly dangerous due to rollover risks, have become some of the safest vehicles available today thanks to their electronic stability systems.
In general, bigger vehicles tend to have a lower rate of driver fatalities. For instance, the Kia Rio, which is categorized as a “mini” car, has the highest driver death rate at 149 deaths per million registered vehicles. In contrast, the safest vehicles, which are all either mid-sized, large, very large, or SUVs, report fewer than 6 deaths per million registered. While it’s true that overall death rates have decreased, the size of the vehicle plays a significant role in determining how safe it is on the road.
How Safety Is Determined
Car safety is actually a lot more complicated than it appears at first glance. Safety organizations try hard to make it easier for consumers by providing awards and star ratings. However, even though we would really like to identify the safest vehicles, the data we have is not without its issues.
Crash tests, like the ones we see in safety labs, don’t really mimic actual accidents that happen on the road. For example, a frontal crash test involves a car being driven into a barrier, which is meant to represent a collision between two vehicles of comparable size and weight. However, these tests don’t provide any information about how a smaller SUV would hold up if it were hit by a much larger truck.
So What Models Are the Most and Least Safe?
Since 1989, the IIHS has been releasing statistics every three years about driver fatalities for different car models. This year marks a new approach for the agency, as they have started to include data on how frequently drivers of other vehicles involved in accidents also lose their lives.
The statistics for this year refer to the “fatalities that happened between 2018 and 2021 involving vehicles from the 2020 model year, along with older models that share similar designs and features.” In certain situations, the data also takes into account cars from the 2017 model year “as long as those vehicles haven’t undergone significant redesigns during that time.”
Least Safe. People driving the Mitsubishi Mirage have a higher chance of dying in a crash compared to those driving other vehicles. The Mirage is known as one of the cheapest new cars in the United States. It’s a small car, classified as a subcompact, and comes in both sedan and hatchback styles. Models in second and third place include the Dodge Challenger and Hyundai Accent.
Most Safe. Data revealed that there were no fatalities reported in four different vehicles. Currently, only the Nissan Pathfinder can be purchased for less than $40,000. Meanwhile, three other models share the top spot, which include the BMW X3, Lexus ES, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan.
IF YOU’RE INJURED IN A CAR, TRUCK, OR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT, CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN BRUNSON TODAY.
Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.
We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.
