Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
Thirteen SUVs were recently put through front-end crash tests by an insurance industry group and only two of those SUVs received approval ratings. Numerous of the popular models performed poorly in the tests. The only vehicle to get the top rating of “good” was the 2014 Subaru Forester. Mitsubishi’s 2013 Outlander Sport received an “acceptable” rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated three of the top-selling models, the Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Escape as either “marginal” or “poor.”
Sales of small and mid-size SUVs are drastically increasing each year. These vehicles are desired for their good gas mileage and extra passenger and cargo space. Between 2005 and last year, sales of small and mid-size SUVs grew fifty percent. The IIHS ratings are looked at by many buyers before purchasing a vehicle. The group states that its ratings are meant to encourage automakers to make safer automobiles. The ratings here were issued after the “small overlap” crash test “that covers only 25 percent of a vehicle’s front end.” The IIHS tests are actually more stringent than the U.S. government’s “full-width front crash test.” The IIHS test takes into account the crashes that affect only one-quarter of the front end, which account for nearly a quarter of the crashes that cause fatal injuries to passengers riding in the front seat.
The top-selling SUV this year, the Ford Escape, received a “poor” rating. Ford released a statement claiming that the Escape is safe because it comes equipped with advanced safety features and a structure designed to handle the impact of a crash. Other SUVs that received “poor” ratings were the Buick Encore, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Jeep Patriot. Most of the vehicles involved in the test were designed before the IIHS created the “small overlap” test and most companies have stated that their vehicles meet or exceed all government safety regulations.
Only 2 of 13 small SUVs do well in crash tests, www.palmbeachpost.com May 16, 2013
Consumers should have access to any and all information concerning the safety of a vehicle before purchasing it. The tests that have been developed by the IIHS have gone above and beyond government testing and regulations, and allow consumers to obtain additional important information about popular automobiles. The Fort Lauderdale consumer advocates at the Friedland | Carmona have years of experience as automobile accident lawyers, helping clients recover compensation when something has gone wrong in a vehicle. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, call the Coral Gables personal injury attorneys at (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation. The law places strict time limits on these types of claims, so do not hesitate!
The Miami product liability lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls and construction site injuries.