ARE SUVS SAFER THAN OTHER VEHICLES?

Is your SUV safe for you and your family? Our Sacramento injury attorneys know it is a top priority for many parents to choose vehicles that provide the best protection or their families.  Many families choose SUVs because they receive good crash ratings and provide plenty of room for growing families. However, before choosing an SUV for your family, you need to review the information provided by the IIHS and Consumer Reports regarding two key areas of concern for SUV owners.

Major Safety Flaw in SUVs For Passengers

If you are shopping for a new vehicle, you may be interested in a recent test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS conducts many safety tests to provide consumers and auto manufacturers with valuable information regarding the safety of various vehicles. In a recent IIHS safety test, SUVs did not do as well as some other vehicles.

According to the IIHS, all but one of the seven SUVs tested in the “small overlap” test rated at poor to acceptable levels. Only the 2016 Hyundai Tucson received a good rating for the small overlap test on the passenger side.

The small overlap test involves running the vehicle into a barrier to 40 mph so that the vehicle collides with the barrier at an isolated area on the front end. This simulates the SUV running into a street sign, tree, or another object. Up until the most recent test, the small overlap test was only performed on the driver’s side. The most recent test was designed to see how an impact on the passenger side would injure the passenger. Unfortunately, passengers in six of the seven vehicles did not fare well in the small overlap test.

Are Rollovers a Problem for SUVs?

In most cases, an SUV fares better in a car wreck because of its size and weight. However, there is a higher risk for rollovers in an SUV due to the size and weight of the vehicle. Rounding a corner, hitting road debris, some accidents, running onto the shoulder of the road, and turning sharply can cause the SUV to roll over because it is top heavy. Rollover accidents are not common, but they can be deadly, according to Consumer Reports. Rollover crashes account for only three percent of all crashes but 30 percent of the fatalities in crashes.

To reduce your risk of injury or death from a rollover accident:

• Keep tires properly inflated — check the manufacturer’s recommendations for tire inflation
• Always wear seatbelts and secure children in car seats or booster seats appropriate for their age, height, and weight
• Avoid excessive speeds
• Don’t load heavy objects on top of vehicle
• Be cautious when traveling on roads without barriers and low shoulders

Call A Sacramento Injury Attorney for More Information

If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you have rights. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact our Sacramento injury attorney for a free consultation and case evaluation.

You can reach the Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by chatting with a representative on our website. Our Sacramento injury attorney cares about your safety. We encourage you to research vehicles for safety ratings and take all precautions to keep you and your family save while traveling our roads.