Some makes and models of cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs are known to have a higher risk of serious injury or death in a crash.
According to Illinois’ National Safety Council, the United States faced its 3rd straight year with over 40,000 deaths in fatal motor vehicle accidents last year. Another 4.5 million victims survived the crash, having suffered serious bodily injuries.
Attempts to address this crisis and find ways to make roadways safer for everyone include targeting drivers (fighting things like distracted driving, for instance) as well as promoting automation in motor vehicles (including driverless cars). For more, read:
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Proving Distraction Caused Crashes May Be Easier in Illinois With Textalyzer;
- Employer Liability for Distracted Driving Accidents in Indiana or Illinois;
- Three New Car Automation Technologies Promoted by NHTSA – Will Your New Car Have Them?
Another question has been asked regarding the motor vehicles themselves: are there certain makes and models that are simply more dangerous to drive, with a higher risk of death in a crash, than others? Sadly, the answer is yes. Some models sold here in Illinois and Indiana have a greater likelihood of fatality. And no, the car maker has no legal duty to forewarn the buyer about this risk as part of the purchase.
Illinois Roads Riskier for a Fatal Crash Compared With Indiana
Last December, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) together with the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) released their latest studies of data obtained from various insurance companies as well as the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) maintained by the Department of Transportation.
The report gave an overview of the number of deadly motor vehicle accidents at a national level (34,247 fatal crashes) as well as the fatality rates for each individual state.
Illinois roads proved deadlier than Indiana last year, with 1005 fatal accidents compared to the Hoosier State’s 836. The rate of deaths per 100,000 in Illinois tallied at 8.6, with Indiana at 13.7.
Within these crash statistics come further details regarding the type of motor vehicles involved in these fatal accidents.
Types of Motor Vehicles in Fatal Accidents in Indiana and Illinois
The IIHS study also reveals which types of motor vehicles were most commonly involved in a deadly accident in each state. For instance, Ohio had the highest number of fatalities where occupants in a car perished in the crash while North Dakota had the most SUV and pickup truck fatalities. From the report:
- In Indiana and Illinois, almost half of all motor vehicle deaths involved cars (Illinois, 42%; Indiana, 41%).
- Pickup trucks and SUVs occurred slightly more often in Indiana than Illinois (Indiana, 26%; Illinois, 23%).
- Large truck fatalities were twice as likely in Indiana as in Illinois (2% vs 1%).
- Bicyclists face double the risk of a fatal crash in Illinois than Indiana (2% vs 1%).
Deadly Makes and Models of Motor Vehicles
Other studies warn of particular makes and models of motor vehicles that have proven more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident. See, “Fatal Attraction: These are the Deadliest Cars on the Road,” written by Jim Gorzelany and published by Forbes on May 14, 2019. Forbes points to the research done by iSeeCars.com, again based upon data from the Department of Transportation’s FARS database.
From iSeeCars, a review of vehicles over a four year period (2013-2017) revealed that fourteen (14) specific models are “…at least two times as likely as the average vehicle to be involved in a fatal accident.”
The 14 Models with the Most Frequent Fatalities
This research shows that these fourteen models are TWICE AS LIKELY to be in a deadly crash as any other model on the roads today:
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Honda Fit
- Kia Forte
- Chevrolet Spark
- Subaru BRZ
- Nissan 370Z
- Nissan Versa
- Kia Rio
- Dodge Challenger
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Kia Soul
- Hyundai Veloster Turbo
- Nissan Versa Note.
Many of these models are smaller vehicles, of course. The “subcompact” cars are lighter than other motor vehicles, which contributes to their risk of bodily injury to their occupants upon impact. They are also smaller overall than other vehicles on the road, as for example the heavier sport utility vehicle (SUV).
This list reveals another recognized risk: the sports car, sleek and built for speed. These models are made and marketed for their ability to drive at higher speeds with efficiency, but speeding is a known factor in deadly crashes. See, e.g., “Speeding Causes Almost Half of All Fatal Car Crashes in Illinois (Around 25% in Indiana).”
It’s no surprise that the top two vehicles on this Most Dangerous List are a subcompact (the Mitsubishi Mirage) and a sports car (the Chevrolet Corvette).
Safest Cars on the Road Today
There are other vehicles that have been considered for their absence in fatal accident statistics, of course. Just as some makes and models are more likely to be in a deadly crash, others have been found to be much less likely to be in a fatal motor vehicle accident.
Last week, U.S. News & World Report published its own compilation of the “25 Safest Cars of 2019,” written by Cherise Threewitt. They range from the 2019 Toyota Prius (coming in at number 25) to the 2019 Kia Optima, heralded as the safest car on the roads today, closely followed by the Toyota Camry.
Go here to scroll through the USN slideshow of its 25 Safest Cars findings.
Fatal Car Crashes in Illinois or Indiana
After a serious or fatal motor vehicle accident, the accident victim and his or her loved ones may have legal redress against the parties who are legally responsible for what has occurred. Legal liability may be shared by more than one person (or company).
Investigation by those advocating for the accident victim will delve into the circumstances surrounding the event (weather conditions; road hazards; time of day) as well as contributing factors for the driver (distractions; driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) and the vehicles themselves.
Defective product and designer defects may play a part in cases seeking justice in the aftermath of a deadly crash here in Indiana or Illinois, and the specific model of vehicle involved in the crash can be a factor.
We face a higher risk of a deadly crash here in Indiana and Illinois than in past years. Please be careful out there!
