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Car collisions frequently result in serious physical injuries. Unfortunately, the number of pedestrian deaths resulting from car accidents continues to rise; there was over a 50 percent increase in pedestrian deaths in automobile crashes in the past 10 years. In light of the growing number of injuries, new automobile safety ratings published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) include scores in the category of passenger and pedestrian safety.

Importance of Crash Avoidance Features

One important indicator of passenger and pedestrian safety is the presence of crash avoidance features, such as front crash, vehicle-to-vehicle, and vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention systems. Strict crash test criteria focus on the passenger-side small overlap crash test, which relates to damage caused by a collision between vehicles or with a standing object, such as a tree or telephone pole. To receive top safety scores, vehicles must receive a rating of good or better in this category.

Toughening Standards for Protecting Passengers

Other changes in the ratings standards include a greater emphasis on structural and design changes aimed at protecting passengers, as well as drivers. Automobile safety experts urge for greater improvement in driver-side and passenger-side small overlap tests to ensure maximum protection for all car occupants.

The new IIHS crashworthiness tests and stricter standards are supported by industry watchdog organization Consumer Reports, which uses IIHS crash test data in calculating its own safety scores. Other testing criteria played an important part in the crash tests, which examined headlight safety, nighttime visibility functioning, head restraint effectiveness, and roof strength reinforcements. Standard crash tests related to moderate overlap and side strength remained part of the IIHS testing protocol.

Safest Models

IIHS tested over 200 different car models on several standards in 2019. Of these tested vehicles, 64 received the Top Safety Pick and 23 received the Top Safety Pick Plus rating. In addition to these awards, almost 40 additional models were awarded good scores for crashworthiness. Mazda and Hyundai currently have the most models appearing on the awards list.

Risk of Physical Harm

Passengers and pedestrians can suffer catastrophic injuries requiring hospitalization and ongoing medical treatment as a result of motor vehicle collisions. Some of the most common physical injuries suffered by victims of motor vehicle collisions include broken bones, sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and damage to internal organs. These injuries may require lengthy hospital stays, months of rehabilitation, and a prolonged inability to work.

Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm, LLC Fight for Individuals Injured in Automobile Accidents

If you or a loved one suffered injury in a motor vehicle accident, the experienced Monmouth County car accident lawyers at the Falcon Law Firm, LLC are here to help. We work to obtain compensation for car accident victims. For a free consultation, call us at 732-454-3306 or contact us online. Located in Oakhurst, Parlin, and Aberdeen, New Jersey, as well as Doylestown, Pennsylvania, we represent clients throughout Asbury Park, Belmar, Deal, Ocean Township, Point Pleasant, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Sayreville, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey, as well as Bucks County, Pennsylvania.