Small Cars Fare Worse Than Large Cars in Accidents

There are plenty of reasons why Mississippi drivers may want to purchase a small car. Small cars are generally less expensive, have better fuel economy and are easier to maneuver and park. However, the downside is that small cars fare worse than larger vehicles in certain types of crashes.

When experts evaluate a car’s crashworthiness, size is an important factor. For example, smaller vehicles have smaller front ends, which means they can sustain more damage in frontal collisions than larger vehicles. Small cars also weigh less, which means they will fare poorly in a head-on collision with a heavier vehicle. Therefore, occupants of small vehicles have a greater risk of being injured than those in larger ones.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, smaller vehicles have roughly double the fatality rates of larger vehicles. This is despite major advances in safety technology. In 2009, the organization conducted crash tests that smashed small cars into midsize cars and found that the smaller vehicles sustained more damaged every time. However, the study found that small cars fared better when crashed into immobile objects. The organization also found that certain small cars do better in crashes than others.

Each year, thousands of Americans are injured in car crashes. Some accident victims may find it difficult to recover damages unless they file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the crash. A successful lawsuit could lead to a financial settlement that covers medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering and other accident-related damages. Injured victims could learn more about their legal rights by discussing their case with an attorney.

Source: Esurance, "Car Size and Crash Safety", Sept. 14, 2017