Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Recently the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the 2011 Saab 9-5, the 2011 Saab 9-4x and the 2011-12 Volkswagen CC all earned the top safety pick award.
Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers know that driving a safe vehicle will reduce the risk of serious injuries from car accidents in Miami and elsewhere in South Florida.
The 9-4X received high marks from IIHS for side, front and rollover evaluations. Seats/head restraints performed well in a separate rear impact test giving the 9-4x a good rating for safety in rear-end crashes. The Saab 9-5 and the Volkswagen CC scored excellent marks in roof strength when tested for rollover protection. As with the Saab 9-4x they also did well in their evaluations for rear, front and crash protection.
In order for a vehicle to earn the ‘Top Safety Pick’ award they must rate a ‘Good’ in four categories: frontal offset test, side impact test, roof strength test and rear crash protection/head restraint test
“To achieve two Top Safety Picks in three weeks is, of course, extremely gratifying,” says Per Lenhoff, Head of Safety Development at Saab Automobile. “Our main priority is always the protection of real people in real accidents, but the IIHS tests are a valuable guide for consumers and it is important for us to achieve good results.”
According to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times, if you are thinking about getting your teen a car, a mid-size sedan is the best choice, says Anne McCartt, senior vice president for research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Other features should include a four-cylinder engine, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and front-wheel-drive. The vehicle’s interior should have simple controls in easy reach of the driver and a hands-free calling system.
David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ auto test division recommends these vehicles for teens, all of which are 2011 top safety pick by the IIHS and under $20,000:
-VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
The 2011 Jetta has a crash response system that unlocks the doors, cuts the gas flow and switches on the hazard lights when it senses an accident. Even though it is an IIHS top safety pick due to lower scores in frontal impact and rollover tests it did not earn the highest five-star rating from the government.
-KIA OPTIMA
The 2011 Optima has two sets of side air bags: to cover the windows one comes down from the ceiling and to protect the lower body one comes out of the front seats. Bluetooth technology enables drivers to make hands-free phone calls.
-HYUNDAI SONATA
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has traction control for assistance on slick roadway surfaces and a brake assist system that applies the brakes if it senses an emergency braking situation.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach or the surrounding areas, contact the personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. Call for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
Three New, Safe Cars for Teen Drivers, by Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Sun-Times
SUVs Rated Safest in Car Accidents in West Palm and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 10, 2011
Recalled Vehicles That Remain Unfixed Increase Dangers of Palm Beach Car Accidents, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 25, 2011