Buying a new car is a significant investment. Not only do you want a good financing deal, but ensuring the vehicle is safe is also an essential factor. Many features contribute to making a vehicle safe. Fortunately, you can start with a list of the safest cars of 2023.
Manufacturers have improved standards and processes to develop reliable cars that have changed road safety concerns. While safety reduces the chance that you will be involved in a car accident, it is not a guarantee because of negligent drivers.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the PM Law Firm can help you. Contact us today or call (281) 968-9529 to discuss your case.
Important Safety Features
Car safety features can help minimize the chances of you being in a serious crash. Some features can also help lessen the physical impact if you become a victim of a collision.
Therefore, spend time researching the available features of different models. Below are four safety features to look for on the cars you are considering.
Airbags
Since 1999, driver-side and passenger airbags have been mandatory in all vehicles. However, some manufacturers offer up to six airbags. These include front knee, center and panoramic roof airbags.
Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) releases statistics that show how airbags save lives. As a critical safety feature, they have reduced the number of injuries and fatalities.
Anti-Lock Brakes
An unexpected abrupt stop by the car in front of you or a pedestrian stepping in front of your vehicle typically causes a knee-jerk reaction. When this happens, the wheels stop rotating and your vehicle begins sliding. Anti-lock brakes are another vital feature that can prevent these reactions.
They are engineered to sense the wheel locking up and will automatically apply the brakes. With this safety feature, you maintain control of your vehicle.
Backup Camera
Also referred to as a rearview camera, the backup camera activates when you put your car in reverse. Mandatory since 2018, newer vehicles have backup cameras with parallel guidelines so you can see the width of your vehicle.
This important backup safety feature helps you pull into or out of a spot in the parking lot. Additionally, you can use the camera to see behind your vehicle before making a mistake and hitting pedestrians or objects.
Seat Belts
Although some drivers consider seat belts uncomfortable and cumbersome to deal with, Texas law requires everyone to buckle up. Failing to do so can result in a hefty $200 fine. Even more important, not wearing a seat belt increases the risk of being hurt or killed in a crash.
As one of the most effective and simplest ways to maintain safety on the road, seat belts can spread the force of a collision across your shoulders and hips. Furthermore, statistics from the NHTSA show hundreds of thousands of lives were saved by seat belts.
Considerations for Choosing the Safest Car
Generally, a car is considered safe once it passes a battery of tests with a positive safety record. When researching the best one to buy, read reviews about crash test ratings and reliability.
Researching options may feel daunting. However, every moment you spend reading reviews from trustworthy sources is paramount to buying the safest car. Some resources to consider are NHTSA, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports.
Other considerations for choosing a safe care include:
• Car size. Buying a smaller car might make it easier to maneuver and offer better fuel economy. However, an accident in a small car is more susceptible to damage. The laws of physics favor larger and heavier cars for safety concerns. The front and rear ends are designed to absorb the force of a collision. Consider these extra safety benefits when choosing your next car.
• Safety recalls. Find out if there is a manufacturer recall on a particular car or equipment. Get proof from the dealer that any safety defects were repaired. Injuries from an accident in a recalled vehicle can affect your rights to a liability claim if you do not get the defects fixed after a manufacturer’s notice.
• Structural design. A safe car will have a good structural design to the safety cage, or occupant compartment. Unless front and rear end crush zones are strong enough to prevent damage, the occupant compartment will collapse during a crash and increase your risk of injury.
Safe Driving Practices
Technological improvements continue to aid in reducing the number of accidents. Yet, human error leads to most car accidents. Therefore, practicing safe driving behaviors can reduce your risk of being the victim of a crash.
Whether you are a novice or have been driving for decades, following some basic rules is a good idea. Add these safe driving tips to help ensure you and your passengers return home unharmed.
• Be extra cautious in bad weather – Icy roads, heavy rain or fog create hazardous driving conditions.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles – Following too closely may not give you enough time to react if the vehicle in from of you makes a sudden stop.
• Stay current with maintenance – Extend the life of your car and improve safety concerns by being up-to-date with regular maintenance.
• Avoid distractions – Texas law makes texting while driving illegal across the state. Besides cell phone usage, other distractions to avoid include applying makeup, eating and interacting with passengers.
• Do not drink and drive – Alcohol impairment can easily lead to car accidents. If you drink, call a cab, rideshare or ask a sober friend to drive you home. Neither one is as inconvenient as the devastating consequences of driving under the influence.
• Follow traffic rules – Not only do you avoid breaking the law, but you can create a safe driving environment for everyone on the road.
Top Safest Cars of 2023
Many cars on the market provide safety features. Various resources provide lists of the safest cars for you to transport loved ones. Typically, the ranking is compiled from safety data and crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS.
Other features may include driver assistance to determine the best ranking. The following list is not exhaustive but is representative of the safest cars and SUVs to consider based on your preferences and needs. Using this as a guide may ease concerns about your next vehicle choice.
Acura Integra
The Acura Integra is a compact sedan that has earned a ranking in top safety picks with a superior rating in all of the mitigation and crash avoidance tests conducted by IIHS.
This car comes with standard LED headlights that earned an acceptable rating for suboptimal visibility when driving on certain test track curves. However, the Integra received a marginal score in the seat belt reminders category because of an inadequate volume for the warning chime.
Honda Accord
IIHS gives the Honda Accord high marks for the crash mitigation and avoidance tests. Additionally, the Accord earned superior and advanced scores from daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian tests respectively.
The Accord is equipped with child seat anchors with easy-to-find latch positions that earned a good+ rating. All trim levels of this vehicle improved headlight ratings from previous years going from acceptable to good.
Hyundai Kona
Compared to other SUVs in the same category, the Hyundai Kona is an inexpensive subcompact SUV. However, it has received high scores from IIHS in all crash tests. NHTS has also given the Kona top rankings in every category with the exception of rollover. Of the possible five-star ranking, the Kona received four stars.
Lincoln Nautilus
Comfort and convenience for both driver and passenger are focal points for the Lincoln Nautilus. According to NHTSA, an overall five-star safety rating is important for those who choose to buy this SUV.
Crash testing for frontal and side-impact earned five stars with NHTSA, while rollover safety earned four stars. IIHS gave the Nautilus the highest score for all crash tests conducted by the organization.
Mercedes-Benz C-class
If the Mercedes-Benz C-class is your new vehicle of choice, consider adding the Driver Assistance package. This addition helped the C-class earn superior safety rankings in all mitigations and avoidance crash tests.
Alternately, the standard system earned an acceptable rating for the daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian test category. For the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test, the C-class earned a basic rating. Good was the score for standard LED headlights.
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is known for its robust safety features and all-wheel drive system. This vehicle comes with the EyeSight Driver Assist technology that includes lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The low and high-beam LED projector headlights are an added safety measure.
Considering these safety factors, it is understandable that the Outback passed all crash tests conducted by IIHS. As a result, it earned the Top Safety Pick+ award. Furthermore, the Outback also passed crash tests for avoidance and mitigation.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y received very good safety scores by having top rankings in every IIHS crash testing category. With its Top Safety Pick+ award, the Model Y scored superior for crash prevention with pedestrians and other vehicles.
Some safety features that make this vehicle stand out include advanced driver assistance, automatic lane-keeping and electric propulsion.
Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
The Camry Hybrid XLE has adaptive headlights that contribute to its Top Safety Pick+ ranking versus acceptable rankings for headlights on other Camry models. Updated additions of side airbags and side sill structure also contributed to high rankings for 2023 models.
In addition, the XLE scored high with IIHS for its child seat anchors due to the easily accessible latch anchor points.
Get Help with Your Personal Injury Case
Driving or riding in one of the safest cars does not guarantee you will not be in an accident. You cannot account for the behavior of other drivers, but you can have an established legal team on your side.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the PM Law Firm will provide passionate and competent legal counsel. Contact us today to discuss your case with an attorney.