THE VEHICLE YOUR TEEN DRIVES MATTERS
For many parents, the idea of letting their children drive is a nerve-racking one. You can teach them all the best practices they need to keep themselves safe from distracted or reckless driving: do not text and drive; do not drive when you are tired; giving them tips on how to drive in inclement weather. Teen drivers are more susceptible to accidents due to their inexperience or panic in dangerous situations, and education on safe driving practices is a critical tool in minimizing many risks associated with driving. But what about other factors that can lead to an accident? To avoid accidents caused by manufacturing errors and vehicle defects, it is important to select vehicles that have a track record of safety.
ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MANUFACTURING ERRORS AND VEHICLE DEFECTS
Vehicles are complex machines with many parts. Any one of those parts malfunctioning can result in a crash or, in the case of a defective safety feature, a failure to protect occupants in the event of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers guidance on what kind of defects are considered safety-related.
Examples of defects considered safety-related:
- Steering components that break suddenly
- Fuel system component issues, particularly if they leak in the event of a crash
- Sticky or fragile accelerators
- Wheels that crack or break
- Engine cooling fan blades that break unexpectedly
- Windshield wiper assemblies that fail to operate properly
- Seats and/or seat backs that fail unexpectedly during normal use
- Wiring system problems that result in a fire or loss of lighting
- Car ramps or jacks that may collapse
- Air bags that deploy under conditions for which they are not intended to deploy
- Defective car seats and booster seats
SAFEST CARS FOR TEENS
The following vehicles were rated by the Insurance Institute for Hightway Safety (IIHS on various factors, including: the structural integrity of original models, electronic stability control, reliability scores, dry braking distances, and manufacturer updates.
SAFEST USED CARS FOR TEENS
- Small Cars: Ford C-Max Hybrid, Mazda 3, Chevrolet Volt, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Honda Insight, Subaru Crosstrek
- Midsized Cars: Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda 6, Toyota Prius v, Lincoln MKZ, Volvo S60, Audi A6
- Large Cars: Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Genesis
- Small SUVs: Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, Volvo XC60
- Midsized SUVs: Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Chevrolet, GMC Terrain, Lexus NX, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander
- Minivans: Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey
For additional information regarding specific vehicle features and pricing, please visit the full list on IIHS.
SAFEST NEW CARS FOR TEENS
The following vehicles are winners of the IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ Award:
- Small Cars: Mazda 3, Honda Insight
- Midsized Cars: Subaru Legacy, Kia K5, Subaru Outback, Lexus IS
- Small SUVs: Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Ford Bronco Sport, Buick Encore GX, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Lexus UX
- Midsized SUVs: Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Palisade, Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander
- Minivans: Honda Odyssey
For additional information regarding specific vehicle features and pricing, please visit the full list on IIHS.
HAVE YOU BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT AS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING ERROR OR VEHICLE DEFECT?
At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook we have the legal knowledge and extensive experience to navigate your case successfully. Our resources include a network of experts in various fields who help us get the answers you need and achieve the results you deserve. We have successfully handled numerous automobile defect cases involving catastrophic injuries and death. Selecting the safest possible vehicle will help minimize the chance that you will be a victim of a defective vehicle.
Contact us today for a free consultation.