MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. According to recent research, larger vehicles may be safer than smaller ones. Forbes recently published the results of a study compiled by the Highway Data Loss Institute suggesting that recoveries and claims for damages decrease as vehicle sizes increase. This seems to suggest that individuals may be safer in large vehicles over smaller ones. And, based on the data, large pickup trucks had the lowest claim numbers over other vehicles. According to the data, four-door small cars have the highest rate of passenger and driver injuries, with rates of injuries going down, the larger the vehicle.
Yet, does this mean that drivers should go out and trade in their gas-saving compact car for an SUV or pickup truck? Or, is the truth more complicated? While highway deaths are increasing, this is due to a range of factors. More cars on the road, mean more accidents might occur. According to Consumer Reports crash test ratings don’t always tell the whole truth about a car’s safety or relative risk. For instance, larger vehicles like SUVs have a higher center of gravity, which means they may be more likely to roll over. Yet, when it comes to head-on collisions, larger vehicles tend to fare better. For example, in a head-on collision between a car and an SUV, the person in the car is 7.6 more likely to die as a result of the crash.
Yet, when the smaller car had better crash test ratings, the driver was more likely to live, but still not as likely to survive as the driver of the larger vehicle. The law of physics dictate simply that the smaller vehicle will take more of the brunt of the accident.
Rollover death risk must also be considered, however. And, in many cases where individuals died in vehicle rollovers, the occupants were not wearing a seat belt. So, simple decisions, like wearing a seat belt, not speeding, not texting and driving, and following the laws of the road can ultimately make a huge impact on whether you get into an accident in the first place, and what the outcome is, if an accident does occur.
The reality is that no vehicle is explicitly “unsafe” unless it has been recalled. Many vehicles have a range of safety features to protect you in an accident. The best measures a person can take involves personal responsibility behind the wheel. This means not drinking and driving and using best practices while driving.
Unfortunately, many accidents occur due to driver error or negligence. When this happens, innocent people often suffer life-altering injuries. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino, is a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota who may be able to protect your rights if you or a loved one has been hurt in a car crash. Our firm understands that many car accidents occur because of the poor decisions individuals make behind the wheel. Car accident victims may suffer from long recovery periods, may face high medical bills, and may even have to miss time from work. If this describes your situation, we may be able to help you. Visit www.martinmontilino.com to learn more.