Hybrid Cars May Offer Increased Safety Protection in Crashes
Hybrid cars offer an up to 25 percent lower risk of death or serious injury in a crash compared to their conventional counterparts, according to a recent study performed by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), a division of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The study compared insurance claims filed after accidents in both hybrid vehicles from 2003 to 2010 and similar conventional models from 2002 to 2010. By comparing similar accidents and the insurance claims filed after them, researchers concluded that hybrid vehicles are more likely to protect occupants in an accident than conventional vehicles are, reducing their risks of serious injury.
The finding is not surprising, according to researchers. Those who study car safety have long known that heavier vehicles tend to fare better in accidents, because they are harder to crush or push off the road or into another vehicle. Hybrids are generally heavier than similar conventional cars; this offers more protection in a crash even if the cars and the crash type are otherwise similar. However, the IIHS still encourages drivers and passengers to wear seat belts at all times and to make sure children are properly secured in child seats or booster seats appropriate for the child’s height and weight.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, our experienced Manhattan car accident injury attorneys are dedicated to fighting on behalf of those who are injured or lose family members in car accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. To learn more about how we can help after a crash, call us at (212) 222-4336 for a free and confidential consultation.
