No one wants to have a car accident, but they still happen to many of us. Car manufacturers are constantly creating new models of cars that adhere to changing safety standards. Even with these efforts, people suffer injuries and even lose their lives in car crashes every day.
If you’re considering buying a new car for yourself or someone you care about, a new study claims to reveal what models of cars are the most dangerous. This is particularly important with younger and inexperienced drivers here in Kentucky, who may not know how to avoid a car accident.
What was in the study?
The researchers found 14 vehicles with the highest fatal car crash rates. Each car is from a model year ranging between 2013 and 2017 and has double the chance of being in a fatal car accident than the average car. The crash also had to happen in the years from 2012-2017 to make the list. The average fatal crash rate for all vehicles, not just ones on this list, is 2.6 fatalities per billion vehicle miles. Certain vehicles were not included in the numbers, such as heavy-duty trucks and vans.
What did the cars have in common?
The cars that made the list have several things that tie them together. The first group in the list of 14 were all small passenger vehicles. Researchers point out that smaller cars cannot protect passengers the same way that larger vehicles can due to simple laws of physics. The car at the top of the list is a Mitsubishi Mirage, considered a subcompact vehicle. Its fatal accident rate is 10.2 cars per billion vehicle miles.
The other category that made the list was sport coupes. It stands to reason that these cars have more fatal crashes because many people drive them in an unsafe manner, using excessive speed and aggressive driving behavior. The Chevy Corvette was the second on the overall list with a rate of 9.8 cars per billion vehicle miles.
Which cars made the list?
The cars that have the highest rates of fatal accidents are as follows:
- Mitsubishi Mirage: 10.2 cars per billion vehicle miles (bvm)
- Chevrolet Corvette: 9.8 cars/bvm
- Honda Fit: 7.7 cars/bvm
- KiaForte: 7.4 cars/bvm
- Chevrolet Spark: 7.2 cars/bvm
- Subaru BRZ: 6.9 cars/bvm
- Nissan 370Z: 6.2 cars/bvm
- Nissan Versa: 6.1 cars/bvm
- KiaRio: 5.9 cars/bvm
- Dodge Challenger: 5.8 cars/bvm
- Chevrolet Camaro: 5.5 cars/bvm
- KiaSoul: 5.3 cars/bvm
- Hyundai VelosterTurbo: 5.2 cars/bvm
- Nissan VersaNote: 5.2 cars/bvm
Conclusion
Even if you do not drive one of these vehicles, if you or someone you love has a car accident, it can change your entire life. You will likely face unexpected medical expenses and may have to change jobs or leave work altogether to tend to injuries that require life-long treatment. It is important that you understand all of your available legal options and rights after going through such a horrific event.