Looking for a Safer Small Car? Go With a Compact Sedan, Says IIHS

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on February 20, 2012

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently rated several compact and sub-compact cars in its “top safety picks.” This rating, which is given to cars that get top marks in four different kinds of crashes, indicates vehicles that are prepared to protect your family if an accident occurs.

Top-ranked vehicles include compacts and subcompacts from major automakers like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Honda. The list also includes vehicles from lesser-known automakers like Kia, Mitsubishi, and Subaru. Compact cars are now holding their own in the safety category, despite the disadvantage their smaller and lighter weights usually have against bigger, heavier vehicles or objects, according to the IIHS. They’re also popular for their improved gas mileage, and now many people do not have to trade safety for efficiency.

If you’re going to pick a compact, you’re better off in almost all cases by choosing a four-door sedan over a two-door or hatchback model, according to the IIHS. Although many compacts come in both models and are ranked “top safety picks” in both, sedans generally performed slightly better in crash testing than hatchbacks did.

Vehicle safety can play a huge role in the types and degrees of car crash injuries suffered in a car accident. While you can help protect yourself and your loved ones by using seat belts and appropriate child safety seats, you cannot always prevent defective vehicle parts, design, or maintenance from causing or contributing to a crash or the injuries it causes.

At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced auto accident lawyers in Seattle are dedicated to helping injured crash survivors and their families seek the compensation they need so that they can focus on getting well. For a free consultation, call our office at (888) 228-3860 today.