Ahhh! Late summer, and the new car models are rolling into the lots. There’s not only the excitement of what is brand new in the car world, but also the chance to get a great deal on the current year models still left in dealer stock.
But what about safety?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been setting standards for safety for more than 30 years. The 5-Star Safety Ratings have been a big help in evaluating which vehicles are safest, and now the NHTSA has made things even easier with their new Overall Ratings. Five stars represent the highest or most safe rating, while one is the lowest.
Interestingly enough, one late model vehicle that was found last year to have a major safety problem by the NHTSA was the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This was the vehicle with which Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin suffered his fatal accident in June of 2016. Gear selector malfunctions had been reported by many as faulty, and indeed the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee had indeed been under recall by the NTHSA. Yelchin was crushed after his vehicle reportedly rolled down the driveway after the gear selector came out of “Park.”
Yelchin’s family is suing the carmaker for not addressing the gear selector issues in time.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute also publishes a list of Top Safety Picks by year. To qualify, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
Fans of smaller sporty cars might take note: the IIHSHLDI awards vehicles within size categories, and doesn’t mince words when it says that “larger, heavier vehicles generally afford more protection than smaller, lighter ones…” That can mean that even a small car that is a Top Safety Pick doesn’t necessarily offer more protection than a larger car that doesn’t win the award.
Some Top Safety Picks for 2016 and 2017 are listed below; click on any of the active links to read the full safety review for that vehicle and the exact version/options of the model tested:
- 2016 Acura ILX
- 2016 Chevrolet Sonic
- 2016 Honda Civic 2-door coupe
- 2016 Honda Civic 4-door sedan
- 2017 Hyundai Elantra
- 2016 Kia Soul
- 2016 Lexus CT 200h
- 2016 Mazda 3 4-door hatchback | 4-door sedan
- 2016 Nissan Sentra
- 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
- 2016 Subaru Impreza
- 2016 Subaru WRX
- 2016 Toyota Prius
- 2016 Volkswagen Golf
- 2016 Volkswagen GTI
- 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Limited
- 2016 Chrysler 200
- 2017 Ford Fusion
- 2016 Honda Accord 2-door coupe
- 2016 Honda Accord 4-door sedan
- 2016 Hyundai Sonata
- 2016 Kia Optima
- 2016 Mazda 6
- 2016 Nissan Altima
- 2016 Nissan Maxima
- 2016 Subaru Legacy
- 2016 Subaru Outback
- 2016 Toyota Camry
- 2016 Toyota Prius v
- 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2016 Volkswagen Passat
The IIHS also publishes a more sobering list: their selection of vehicles with the highest rates of driver deaths per million registered vehicles.
That list is available here: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/50/1/1
Safety is an important consideration when selecting a new car. No one wants to think that they will be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but if you are, it is better to be surrounded with a vehicle proven to be safer than some other choice you could have made. This is especially true on the busy roads of South Florida.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motor vehicle accident?
If so, the attorneys at Thomas and Pearl want to speak to you. Thomas and Pearl have the staff and resources to investigate accidents, research the vehicles involved and their safety records, gather eyewitness testimony, examine police reports, and recreate accident scenes.
Thomas and Pearl can also seek out expert medical opinions regarding your injuries to help justify proper compensation for you.
Before you speak with an insurance company that will attempt to settle your case in their best interest, call Thomas and Pearl. Your Thomas and Pearl attorney will be there to help you represent your best interests.
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Thomas & Pearl attorneys have the skills and training, plus the financial resources necessary to conduct a thorough accident and injury investigation. Ask about our experience as attorneys helping victims of motor vehicle accidents in Florida.
Ask about the more than $150M (MILLION) dollars in recent and past jury verdicts and settlements we have gained for our clients.
We’ll evaluate your case situation with you, develop a strategy to win or successfully negotiate the highest amount of compensation for you.
Experienced legal help can make the difference between a successful resolution and losing. And you pay nothing unless we get that successful resolution for you.
Contact Thomas & Pearl at any time.
Contact Thomas & Pearl Injury Attorneys. Fighting for Floridians. Call toll free 24/7 at 877-990-HELP (4357), or visit https://thomasandpearl.com/