Contemplating a new car? IIHS names 71 safest

Amid a series of safety issues and recalls this year, there is good news for drivers: more vehicles meet stricter safety standards in 2015.

It’s been a rough year for the auto-safety world, with recalls from GM followed by recalls from airbag manufacturer Takata affecting vehicles from seven major automakers. Last week, Takata’s president, Stephan Stocker, stepped down from his position.  He will remain with the company as a board member; Chairman Shigehisa Takada will take his place. Both Takada and Stocker, as well as other Takata executives, will reportedly take 50% pay cuts in the coming months.

While Takata has refused to expand the recall on its airbags nationwide, automakers including Honda, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, and BMW have issued a nationwide recall on their vehicles containing Takata airbags.

But, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers drivers hope as they announced last week that their list of vehicles earning the  two top safety ratings (Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+) is nearly twice as long as last year’s – and that’s with tougher criteria. A new test, the “small overlap” test, was added this year. The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with an object such as a tree or a utility pole. Because small overlap crashes are common in real life, the IIHS wanted to put pressure on automakers to make their vehicles more crashworthy in this respect. The Honda CR-V and the Toyota Prius are two 2015 models that have been modified for improved safety and have earned the top ratings this year.

Other safety features such as automatic brake technology and warning systems were important factors in determining the Top Safety Picks. In 2015, safety technology is not just about helping you to survive a crash – it is also aimed at  helping you to avoid an accident altogether.

If you are involved in a car accident, the vehicle you’re riding in can make a big difference when it comes to the severity of your injuries and your chances of survival.  Do you know the safety rating on your vehicle? To see how YOUR car measures up, click here.

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, or have been injured in a vehicle that has been recalled, contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys at 855-866-5529 for a free consultation.