Why Crash Test Ratings Matter When Purchasing a Vehicle
As a personal injury attorney at Herrman & Herrman in South Texas, a large part of my job involves helping individuals and families who have suffered injuries after serious motor vehicle accidents. Many of these cases involve devastating crashes that leave victims dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term physical and emotional challenges.
When investigating these collisions, I often see firsthand the tremendous damage that occurs during an accident. Some crashes are caused by distracted drivers texting behind the wheel, while others involve speeding, intoxicated driving, or reckless behavior. Unfortunately, even the safest drivers can find themselves involved in a collision because of another person’s negligence.
While no vehicle can completely prevent injuries in every accident, the type of vehicle you drive can make a major difference in how well you and your passengers are protected during a crash. For that reason, crash test ratings are one of the most important factors consumers should consider before purchasing a vehicle.
Modern Vehicles Are Safer Than Ever Before
Vehicle safety technology has advanced dramatically over the years. Compared to older vehicles, today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs are specifically engineered to better protect occupants during a collision.
Modern vehicles are designed with advanced safety systems and structural reinforcements intended to absorb and redirect crash energy away from passengers. Features such as:
- Crumple zones
- Side-impact protection
- Reinforced safety cages
- Airbag systems
- Electronic stability control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warnings
- Blind spot monitoring
all contribute to making vehicles safer than previous generations.
In years past, many vehicles were built with rigid frames that transferred much of the force of an accident directly to the occupants inside. Today’s vehicles are intentionally designed to crumple in strategic areas to reduce the impact felt by drivers and passengers.
Although these improvements have saved countless lives, not all vehicles perform equally during crash testing. Some models consistently provide better protection than others, which is why consumers should carefully review safety ratings before making a purchase decision.
Why Crash Test Ratings Should Influence Your Buying Decision
Many people shopping for a vehicle focus primarily on appearance, fuel economy, price, or luxury features. While those considerations are certainly important, safety should never be overlooked.
As attorneys handling injury cases, we frequently see situations where vehicle safety features helped reduce the severity of injuries after a collision. Conversely, we also see crashes where poor vehicle performance may have contributed to more serious outcomes.
Crash test ratings provide valuable insight into how a vehicle is likely to perform during real-world accident scenarios. These ratings help consumers understand:
- How well the vehicle protects occupants in frontal crashes
- How it performs in side-impact collisions
- The likelihood of rollover accidents
- Roof strength during rollovers
- Seat and head restraint effectiveness
- The effectiveness of crash prevention technology
A vehicle with excellent crash ratings may significantly reduce the risk of catastrophic injury or death in a serious accident.
Organizations That Test Vehicle Safety
There are two primary organizations responsible for evaluating vehicle safety in the United States. Both are widely respected and trusted by consumers, safety experts, and the automotive industry.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, commonly referred to as the NHTSA, is a federal government agency responsible for promoting roadway safety and reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
The NHTSA conducts extensive crash testing on vehicles and evaluates their ability to protect occupants during collisions. Their testing includes:
- Frontal crash tests
- Side barrier crash tests
- Side pole crash tests
- Rollover resistance evaluations
The organization uses a straightforward star-based rating system that is easy for consumers to understand.
Understanding the NHTSA Star Ratings
The NHTSA awards vehicles between one and five stars based on crash performance:
- One Star: Lowest safety performance
- Two Stars: Below average protection
- Three Stars: Average safety performance
- Four Stars: Above average protection
- Five Stars: Highest level of crash protection
Vehicles receiving five-star ratings are considered among the safest vehicles on the road within their category.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
The second major organization is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS. Unlike the NHTSA, the IIHS is an independent, nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry.
The IIHS is known for conducting extremely rigorous crash tests that often go beyond federal minimum standards. Their testing procedures evaluate how vehicles perform in a variety of realistic crash scenarios, including some of the most dangerous types of impacts seen on the roadway.
These tests may include:
- Moderate overlap front crashes
- Small overlap front crashes
- Side-impact crashes
- Roof strength tests
- Head restraint evaluations
- Pedestrian crash prevention testing
Understanding the IIHS Rating System
The IIHS uses descriptive labels rather than stars to rate vehicle performance. The four ratings are:
- Poor
- Marginal
- Acceptable
- Good
Vehicles that consistently perform well across multiple categories may receive special recognition from the IIHS.
Top Safety Pick Award
Vehicles that demonstrate strong crashworthiness and effective crash prevention systems may earn the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” designation. This award recognizes vehicles that perform above average in their class and offer strong occupant protection.
Top Safety Pick+ Award
The highest distinction offered by the IIHS is the “Top Safety Pick+” award. Vehicles receiving this designation have demonstrated exceptional performance across numerous safety categories and often include advanced crash avoidance technologies.
For many consumers, this designation provides additional confidence when choosing between vehicle models.
Safety Technology Continues to Improve
Automakers continue investing heavily in safety innovations designed to reduce accidents and protect occupants. Many modern vehicles now include advanced driver assistance systems that can help prevent collisions before they happen.
Some newer technologies include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
- Driver attention monitoring
- Surround-view cameras
While these technologies are incredibly helpful, they are not substitutes for safe driving habits. Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and aggressive behavior continue to contribute to thousands of preventable accidents every year.
The Reality of Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents
Unfortunately, no amount of safety technology can eliminate all risks associated with driving. As personal injury attorneys, we regularly work with clients whose lives have been changed by serious collisions caused by another driver’s negligence.
In many cases, injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal injuries
- Long-term disability
Choosing a vehicle with strong crash test ratings cannot guarantee protection in every accident, but it can significantly improve the chances of surviving a crash and reducing the severity of injuries.
Final Thoughts on Vehicle Safety Ratings
Purchasing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial decisions many families make, and safety should always be part of that decision-making process. Crash test ratings provide valuable information that can help consumers make informed choices and better protect themselves and their loved ones on the road.
Before purchasing your next vehicle, take the time to research safety ratings through trusted organizations like the NHTSA and IIHS. A few extra minutes of research today could make a life-changing difference tomorrow.
While no vehicle can completely prevent accidents caused by distracted, reckless, or impaired drivers, choosing a vehicle with excellent crash protection may help reduce injuries and save lives when collisions occur.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.
