The results of a recent car accident study show that fatal car crashes occur most frequently in small vehicles, and larger sized vehicles do not incur fatalities as often. Crash data from the federal government was analyzed between 2012 and 2015. The vehicles most frequently associated with driver fatalities included the Kia Rio and Hyundai Optima.
The study, conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reviewed data over the course of four years for 208 different car models. To keep results consistent, researchers only considered cars that had a minimum of 100,000 registered models during the study period. Certain car models, such as the Tesla S were omitted for this reason.
The results from the study showed that minicars were most related to driver fatalities during accidents. During the 2012 to 2015 study period, 104 Hyundai Accent drivers were fatally injured in car accidents. Kia Rio came in second for fatalities. Smaller cars are more likely to become crushed or overturned during accidents, causing the fatality rate to skyrocket.
Motor Vehicle Companies Respond
When approached for comment, Hyundai stated that their cars met or exceeded all U.S. government Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. They also said the Accent was given a 4-star overall rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and that it performed well in numerous safety tests. Kia representatives did not comment on the Rio.
Not surprisingly, most luxury cars fared well in the report, with BMW 535, Audi A6, and Lexus CT 200h resulting in zero fatalities over the course of four years. Eleven other mid-range car models also performed well. Among them were the Mercedes Benz M-Class, Jeep Cherokee, and Mazda CX-9. The results prove that size does matter.
The IIHS study also reviewed the number of driver fatalities from 2012 to 2015 for U.S. car accidents based on the same data. The results showed that 2,822 drivers were fatally injured in car accidents, a 58 percent increase from the last IIHS study in 2011. Researchers suspect the increase may be due to more Americans driving now than in 2011 due to lower gas prices, a better economy, and various other factors. The data also was collected near summer, when the number of car accident fatalities increases.
Because accidents are so commonplace, it is crucial that drivers know their rights. Victims of car accidents may be entitled to compensation for injury-related expenses or other non-economic damages, regardless of whether the crash was fatal. Additionally, drivers of small or defective vehicles may be eligible for wrongful death claims if the manufacturer is found responsible or if there was a vehicle recall. It is best to contact a lawyer to find out what legal recourse is available to help with each unique crash situation.
South Jersey Car Accident Lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. Secure Maximum Compensation for Families of Those Involved in Fatal Accidents
At Folkman Law, we know that no amount of money can fix the damage that a fatal car crash can have on your life. However, compensation is necessary to help you rebuild and recover from medical bills and missed work. Our highly skilled team has won some of the highest personal injury verdicts in New Jersey. We have convenient office locations in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Philadelphia to serve the tri-state area. Call a knowledgeable South Jersey car accident Lawyer today at 856-354-9444 or contact us online to discuss your options.
