Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
America’s most popular car isn’t doing so well in the latest crash safety tests.
The tests were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and discovered that Toyota Camry didn’t perform well in certain frontal crash tests. There were 18 models of vehicles, including the Ford Fusion, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, that were all put through this front-crash test. Vehicles traveled at 40 miles per hour upon impact when they slammed into an object with a small part on their front bumper. Only 11 of the tested vehicles got top marks, according to CNN Money. The Toyota Camry and the Prius did the worst — both receiving “poor” ratings. The cars were smashed after the collision and research shows that vehicle occupants wouldn’t have done so well in the accident.
“Toyota engineers have a lot of work to do to match the performance of their competitors,” said Adrian Lund, IIHS President.
Our Fort Myers car accident lawyers are asking drivers to do their research when choosing a new car. If you’re looking to purchase a new car with the New Year, you’re urged to check out safety ratings on SafeCar.gov. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set the standard for safety, helping consumers to find safer cars with its 5-Star Safety Ratings for over 30 years. Buying a safer car is a lot easier with the Overall Rating that makes comparing vehicles simpler. When considering which vehicle fits the needs of your family, make sure it meets the safety ratings you need, too!
In the latest crash safety testing from the IIHS, the Suzuki Kizashi and the Honda Accord received “good” ratings. The Accord oftentimes ranks second to the Camry — but not this year. Suzuki might not be an option for you though, as it recently announced that because of poor sales it will be putting out of the American auto market.
Most of the 18 vehicles that were tested merely received “acceptable” ratings. These vehicles include the Volkswagen Passat, the Mazda6, the Chrysler 200, the Dodge Avenger, the Subaru Outback and Legacy, the Nissan Maxima and the Altima and the Kia Optima. The Volkswagen Jetta, the Chevrolet Malibu and the Hyundai Sonata all got “marginal” ratings, which is the second-worst possible rating.
How do the safety ratings work?
-5 Stars: Ten percent or less of serious injury in the event of an accident.
-4 Stars: Eleven percent to a 20 percent chance of serious injury in the event of a collision.
-3 Stars: Twenty-one percent to 35 percent chance of serious injury in an accident.
-2 Stars: Thirty-six percent to 45 percent chance of serious injury in the event of an accident.
-1 Star: About a 50 percent chance of serious injury in a collision.
These tests check out the effectiveness of airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), seat belts, reminder systems, on-off switches and more. You want to make sure that you and your passengers are equipped with the safest car available. Do your research before choosing that new car and help to keep everyone in your family safe.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, call Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. 1-800-283-2900.
Additional Resources:
Toyota Camry gets slammed in new crash test, by Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN Money
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