The automotive research firm iSeeCars.com has analyzed the rate at which vehicles with a model year of 2013 to 2017 were in a fatal accident. What New Jersey residents should know is that subcompact cars and sports cars were among the deadliest of cars. In a list of 14 vehicles with the highest fatal crash rates, these two vehicle types occupied six slots each.
Overall, the fatal accident rate was 2.6 cars per billion vehicle miles. The rate was nearly double for subcompacts (4.5) and sports cars (4.6). Number one on the list was the subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage with a fatal crash rate of 10.2 cars per billion vehicle miles. The list continued with the Chevrolet Corvette (9.8) and Honda Fit (7.7). The Hyundai Veloster Turbo and Nissan Versa Note (both 5.2) ended the list.
Researchers discovered that many of the vehicles received a four- or five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but performed poorly during certain crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Mitsubishi Mirage, for example, received a “poor” score on the driver-side small overlap test.
Subcompacts and sports cars tend to have few safety features beyond rearview cameras. This, combined with the fact that sports cars are built for speed, may explain the high fatal crash rates.
In the event that motor vehicle collisions end in severe injuries but not death, victims may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. It all depends on the degree to which each party was at fault. Since New Jersey is a no-fault state, victims may want a lawyer to evaluate their case and determine if they can file a third-party insurance claim. If they can, they might want the lawyer to negotiate on their behalf for the settlement.