Traffic Fatalities Are More Likely To Involve Small Vehicles

Many people say that they feel safer in large vehicles like SUVs. There may be something to that feeling of added security you get when you are ensconced in all of that metal.

A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found in a study of traffic deaths between 2012 and 2015 that small and mini cars had the highest level of driver fatalities. Two mini cars, the Kia Rio sedan and the Hyundai Accent sedan, had the highest fatality rates of all the cars studied.

The higher death rates were attributed to the fact that, in general, small vehicles simply don’t provide drivers and passengers with as much protection as larger ones do. Only two large vehicles came in among the ten most dangerous vehicles — the Nissan Titan Crew Cab and the Dodge Challenger.

Of course, some small and mini cars have features that make them safer than others on the market. However, the IIHS’s lead researcher in the study says that smaller vehicles have always, on the whole, been more dangerous than larger ones. He said, “I don’t see any benefit from a safety standpoint to having a smaller car.”

Many people don’t buy small vehicles because they’re safer. They buy them because they tend to be less expensive, use less gas, are easy to maneuver in and out of tight spots and sometimes just look really cool.

Regardless of what size vehicle you purchase, it’s essential to do your homework regarding safety ratings and features. No matter how safe your car, however, another driver on the road who is negligent or reckless driver can cause a serious crash. If that happens, an experienced California personal injury attorney can advise you of your legal options for seeking compensation for medical care and other damages.

Source: CBS News, “Mini and small cars have highest traffic deaths rates, IIHS report says,” May 25, 2017