The fact is, not every vehicle offers the same protection and durability as others. In fact, some of these vehicles, like bicycles and motorcycles, offer very little protection in the event of an accident. Still others, like large big rigs and buses, may have more protection in terms of weight and durability but are more difficult to maneuver on crowded roads. Moreover, certain big rig trucks carry harmful substances that make them even more unsafe when an accident occurs.
All of these factors add up to the overall safety of the vehicles themselves. Not only that, but state and federal agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) perform testing on vehicles to give them a safety rating so car buyers know the relative safety features and overall ranking of the vehicle they’re buying.
That said, these ratings don’t account for every vehicle that you may use on the road, so understanding the differences between these vehicles and why some of them are more dangerous than others can be important if you’re involved in an accident.
California Car Accident Victims Can Count On Maison Law
No matter what the circumstances are, a car accident in California is an extremely unfortunate occurrence. But worse than that, these unfortunate accidents can often cause injuries and severe damage to victims that can last for the rest of their lives. At Maison Law, our team of dedicated California car accident lawyers has built a reputation for standing with these victims and working for them to get them the financial and emotional support they need in their time of need.
We are proud to offer free consultations to California car accident victims. Contact us here to set up yours today.
Vehicle Safety: How Is It Rated?
There are several organizations that rate the safety of vehicles, but the two most well-known are the:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
These organizations conduct crash tests on vehicles to determine their overall safety and durability. These tests cover a wide range of different scenarios and environments, but the overall goal is to provide the consumer with an idea of how the car performs in the event of an accident.
NHTSA
The NHTSA rates vehicles on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars indicating the highest level of safety. The rating is based on the performance of a vehicle in a series of crash tests, including:
- Front-impact
- Side impact
- Rollovers
The agency then scores these vehicles and issues the rating and also provides a database for buyers to search the particular make, model, and year of the vehicle they’re thinking of buying.
IIHS
The IIHS conducts a similar set of tests, but it uses a different rating system. It rates vehicles as either:
- Good
- Acceptable
- Marginal
- Poor
These ratings are based on their performance in a series of different crash tests, annd the organization also issues a separate rating for the effectiveness of a vehicle’s headlights.
In addition to crash test ratings, other factors that can influence a vehicle’s safety rating include:
- The availability of advanced safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.
- The vehicle’s overall design and construction.
Understanding how a vehicle is rated in terms of safety is great for normal car buyers, but there are many different types of vehicles that you will encounter on the road that don’t always have safety as a top priority.
What Are the Least Safe Vehicles?
While the NHTSA and IIHS can give you a good idea of how safe a normal car is, the reality is that no vehicle is completely safe, in and of itself. The various factors that go into a car accident, like speed, construction of the vehicle, speed, and the size of the other vehicle all play into how serious an accident can be.
Still, there are some distinguishing characteristics in terms of vehicle safety that make some less safe than others. With that in mind, here are some of the least safe vehicles you may encounter:
- Big rigs – Semi-trucks, also known as big rigs, are some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. This is due to the fact that they are so much larger than the other vehicles they share the road with. Not only that, but they have more difficulty manuevering in the event of an accident or bad weather, and also may be transporting flammable substances or harmful chemicals that can add to injuries in an accident.
- Motorcycles – Motorcycles offer an unrivaled driving experience, especially in California. But motorcycles also move at much higher speeds than normal cars, and are much more difficult to operate because of their smaller and more narrow makeup. All of this is a recipe for an accident, not to mention the lack of safety that comes from other drivers simply not seeing people on motorcycles.
- Sports cars – Sports cars are designed for a certain type of driver, usually one that is not concerned with safety. These luxury vehicles are designed with speed and maneurability in mind, and while they are subject to the same safety ratings as other vehicles, their minimalist design and racecar-like components make them very unsafe in the event of an accident.
- Compact cars – Reducing the size of a vehicle does allow for some benefits, but overall, it takes away much of the protection that a normal sized car offers. Because of the compact design, you are more at risk of things like broken bones, joint dislocations, and compression injuries in a car acccident driving a compact car.
- Buses – Buses may seem like a safe vehicle, but that’s not always the case. While the size and design of a bus makes it safe in terms of a collision, the design also makes it more prone to rollovers in bad weather or improperly maintained roads. Also, because they are more difficult to operate and control, passengers inside the bus are also at risk for injury.
Again, because no vehicle is ever completely safe, making sure that you take the proper precautions while driving is very important to your overall health after an accident. You may not be able to prevent a car accident from happening, but taking the right approach to safety can decrease the risk of serious injury.
Work With Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers
Above all, your health is the most important priority after being in a car accident. However, no matter what type of car you were driving, being in an accident that is caused by someone else provides the legal opportunity to recover support and benefits from the at-fault driver. At Maison Law, we know how important these benefits can be to your recovery and will work tirelessly to make sure you receive what you’re owed.
We take a client-specific approach to every case, and would be happy to discuss your options during a free, initial consultation. To scheudle yours, contact us today.
