Car accidents, which kill approximately 43,000 people every year, is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the US, according to the Department of Transportation. Because of the magnitude of the problem, the federal agency has conducted several studies about highway collisions and categorized these into six.
• Rear-end impact
This happens when a driver hits another car in front, smashing its rear. Usually, this occurs when a vehicle suddenly stops and the car behind is unable to immediately press the break.
According to researchers, the force of rear-end is half the speed of the car. For example, a sedan traveling at a speed of 30mph that rear-ends another vehicle will be like crashing into a wall at 15mph.
• Side collision
This happens when one side of the car is hit by another vehicle. Researchers said that this accident is very common in intersections and parking areas.
• Run off-road collision
This single-vehicle accident occurs when a driver losses control of the car and leaves the roadway, thus resulting to a rollover or hitting a fixed object.
• Rollover
SUVs have been found to rollover (turning on its side or roof) four times more than low-roofed cars due its higher center of gravity.
• Head-on collision
This happens when the two vehicles’ front collided with each other. Several studies suggested that this is one of the most fatal car accidents because the relative velocity of cars traveling in opposite directions is high.
• Back-up collision
This happens when a driver fails to see that there is an object or person behind the vehicle. While cars have rear view mirrors, drivers may find it hard to detect smaller objects behind them. Big trucks have bigger “blind spots”, making these more prone to back-up accident.
Back-up collision is also called “Bye-bye” accident because most of the victims were young children who followed their parents from the car to wave goodbye.
With the seriousness of car accidents, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has conducted a comprehensive crashworthiness test to determine the safest cars in the market.
This is the list of the safest car models in 2009:
(Large cars)
• Acura RL
• Audi A6
• Cadillac CTS
• Ford Taurus
• 2009-10 models
• Hyundai Genesis
• 4-door models built after 11/08
• Lincoln MKS
• Mercury Sable
• Toyota Avalon
• Volvo S80
(Midsize cars)
• Acura TL
• Acura TSX
• Audi A3
• Audi A4
• BMW 3 series 4-door models
• Ford Fusion 2009-10 models with ESC
• Honda Accord 4-door models
• Lincoln MKZ 2010 models
• Mercedes C class
• Mercury Milan 2009-10 models with ESC
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy
• Volkswagen CC
• Volkswagen Jetta
• Volkswagen Passat
• Volvo C30
(Small cars)
• Ford Focus 2-door models with optional ESC
• Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional ESC
• Honda Insight 2010 models with optional ESC
• Kia Soul 2010 models
• Mitsubishi Lancer with optional ESC
• Scion xB
• Subaru Impreza
• Toyota Corolla 2009-10 models with ESC
• Toyota Prius 2010 models
• Volkswagen Rabbit 4-door models
(Mini car)
• Honda Fit with optional ESC
(Large SUVs)
• Audi Q7
• Buick Enclave
• Chevrolet Traverse
• GMC Acadia
• Mercedes R class built after 9/08
• Saturn Outlook
(Midsize SUVs)
• Acura MDX
• Acura RDX
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3
• BMW X5
• Ford Edge
• Ford Flex
• Ford Taurus X
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz
• Infiniti EX35
• Lexus RX 2010 models
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class 2009-10 models
• Nissan Murano
• Saturn VUE
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Venza
• Volvo XC90
(Small SUVs)
• Ford Escape
• Honda CR-V
• Honda Element
• Mazda Tribute
• Mercury Mariner
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Tiguan
Our skilled
personal injury attorneys specialize in
vehicle accidents involving highway collision. For consultation, visit our website and avail of our free case evaluation.
