Americans continue to buy larger and more expensive vehicles. According to Streetsblog, SUV sales outnumbered sedan sales by 2 to 1 in 2022, and the numbers continue to be lopsided. Even higher cost does not seem to put a dent in the popularity of SUVs.
But are these bigger vehicles safer for your family? Any collision can lead to major injuries, lost income, and pain. Nonetheless, some vehicles offer greater protection for their occupants than others. An Atlanta car accident lawyer at Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys looks at the critical facts below.
SUVs Offer More Protection Because They Are Larger
Generally, SUVs are more crashworthy than sedans. Essentially, this means they offer greater protection when they collide with another vehicle. Car manufacturers regularly test their vehicles for crash safety and publish the results. As Consumer Reports has noted, SUVs tend to do better than cars in front crashes.
SUVs tend to be much heavier than cars:
- Midsize SUVs weigh an average of 5,000 pounds, with full-size SUVs coming in around 6,000 pounds.
- Passenger sedans like the Toyota Corolla weigh less than 3,000 pounds on average, which is half as heavy.
Of course, not all SUVs are the same. Full-size SUVs are considerably larger than crossover SUVs:
- Average crossover SUV: 73.2 inches wide and 182.9 inches long
- Midsize SUVs: 77 inches wide and 194.9 inches long.
- Full-size SUVs: 80.4 inches wide and 210.1 inches long
Larger and heavier vehicles can absorb more force, which protects occupants. If an SUV crashes head on with a car, then the driver of the car is up to 7 times more likely to die, according to Consumer Reports. That is a major difference.
If you are worried about your family getting injured in a collision, then purchasing an SUV is a sensible choice, provided you can afford it.
Cars Are Easier to Maneuver
However, cars do have some advantages. Because they are smaller, they are often easier to maneuver, especially on the highway. A smaller sedan can zip in and out of traffic, which is critical to avoid collisions.
Imagine a car is barreling toward you because the driver is drunk or fell asleep. The driver of a sedan can more easily slip into an adjoining lane and avoid a crash. An SUV might be too big to take this kind of quick, defensive action.
Historically, SUVs Were More Prone to Rolling Over
Rollovers are serious car accidents which lead to significant head and neck injuries if a passenger is not buckled in. Rollovers happen whenever the center of gravity shifts suddenly, possibly because the vehicle tripped on something, like construction debris or soft gravel.
Because of their higher center of gravity, SUVs have been more prone to rolling over. However, technology has improved enormously over the past 20 years. In the 1990s, SUVs had a real problem with rollovers, so manufacturers introduced electronic stability control (ESC), which has been standard since 2012. ESC reduces the risk of a rollover, so SUVs are now comparable to sedans in terms of avoiding rollovers.
Study Safety Information Specific to the Vehicles You Want to Purchase
Consumers who are worried about safety should always research the crash test results for the models they are interested in buying. Purchasing a vehicle involves many considerations, including price and availability.
Another consideration is comfort. A driver who is uncomfortable could be more prone to speeding to get to their destination faster or taking aggressive action, like tailgating. Some drivers are more comfortable in a smaller car, while others enjoy riding high in a large SUV.
Regardless of the vehicle you buy, remember to have it regularly serviced. Periodic maintenance will ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. When parts are worn, the risk of a collision increases, and many people end up in the hospital with significant pain.
Contact Us if You Are Hurt in an Accident
Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys is a prominent Atlanta car accident law firm. We have negotiated many settlements for our clients. Our office is welcoming new clients who want financial compensation but need legal help with a claim.
If you are hurt, we need to figure out who is at fault for the crash. Often, another driver caused the wreck by making some mistake while in the driver’s seat:
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Driving while distracted, including texting and driving
- Aggressive or angry driving
- Failing to yield the right of way, e.g., merging when there is not enough room
- Speeding
- Passing another vehicle illegally
- Driving when tired or nodding off behind the wheel
We can demand compensation for your damages, including lost wages, car repairs, and medical bills. We have won millions for people injured in the full range of car accidents, from rollovers to rear-end collisions.
Your choice of vehicle should not matter when it comes to negotiating a settlement. An insurance agent will not offer a smaller settlement by claiming, “Well, you should have driven a larger vehicle.” You have the right to drive a car, if that’s what you want.
However, your maintenance schedule could matter. If you skipped maintenance and your car crashes as a result, you could receive no compensation. Failing to maintain a car is a type of contributory negligence which can impair your ability to receive compensation in a settlement or lawsuit.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Associates is ready to help anyone injured in a motor vehicle collision. Whether you were in an SUV, light pickup truck, or sedan, we can present a claim against a negligent motorist. Do not attempt to handle the paperwork on your own, since many victims become overwhelmed and are unable to negotiate with an insurance company.Let our experienced legal team go over the details of the collision and estimate the value of a fair settlement. We have decades of combined experience negotiating and litigating personal injury claims. Contact us today, (404) 529-3476, to schedule your free consultation with an Atlanta car accident lawyer.