There are many online sources that rank cars for their safety. US News is one of the many resources where you can review the safest cars for 2021. Car & Driver and Motor Trend also compile lists of the safest cars.
The list of safest cars for 2021 as reported by US News is:
1. 2020 Toyota Camry
2. 2020 Honda Insight
3. 2020 Kia Optima
4. 2020 Subaru Impreza
5. 2020 Honda Accord
6. 2020 Mazda3
7. 2020 Hyundai Veloster
8. 2020 Mazda6
9. 2020 Nissan Maxima
10. 2020 Toyota Corolla
11. 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
12. 2020 Subaru Legacy
13. 2020 Volkswagen Passat
14. 2019 Kia Cadenza
15. 2020 Honda Civic
Note that the above list only includes passenger cars. SUVs and pickup trucks were not included in the above rankings.
Testing and Evaluating Vehicles for Safety
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) tracks crash and fatality statistics. They analyze the data based on the makes and models of the vehicles involved in fatal crashes.
The information gathered by the IIHS might indicate which vehicles are safer based on the vehicle’s fatal accident statistics. The numbers also indicate which vehicles are involved in the highest number of fatal car crashes each year.
Crash statistics are not the only data sets used to determine the safety of a passenger vehicle. Crash tests provide information that experts can use to determine the crashworthiness and safety of a vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts crash tests each year. The results are used to rate the safety of vehicles based on a 5-star program. You can check to see if your vehicle was included in the testing for 2021 on the NHTSA website.
Some of the areas that the NHTSA tests when evaluating a vehicle’s safety rating include, but are not limited to:
Frontal Crashes
The test determines the crash rating for a head-on collision with a fixed barrier or another vehicle. Among other things, the test evaluates potential injuries to an occupant’s chest, neck, legs, and head.
Side Pole Crashes
This test analyzes the crashworthiness of a vehicle when it collides with a fixed object from the side. The test looks at potential injuries to the chest, lower spine, pelvis, head, and abdomen.
Side Barrier Crashes
Side-impact accidents or T-bone crashes are common. This test analyzes how well the vehicle protects occupants in an intersection collision or other side-impact crash. It analyzes injuries to the abdomen, pelvis, chest, and head.
Rollover Resistance Test
Rollover accidents have a high rate of fatalities and catastrophic injuries. These tests determine how likely a vehicle will roll over during a collision or accident. SUVs, buses, trucks, and other top-heavy vehicles are more likely to tip over during a crash.
NOTE: More information about safety testing for vehicles is available on the NHTSA website.
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Driver Assistance Technologies and Vehicle Safety
The NHTSA also analyzes the various driver assistance features on vehicles to determine how these features can reduce the risk of a car accident in some situations. The NHTSA provides information about driver assistance technology on its website.
Drivers may want to consider the following safety features when purchasing a car:
- Lane Departure Warning
- Forward Collision Warning
- Adaptive Lighting
- Rearview Video System
- Rear Automatic Braking
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking
Another safety feature that is often overlooked is a vehicle’s airbags. Side airbags and curtain airbags are now available on many new car models. These airbags provide additional protection from injuries than standard airbags.
In 2019, there were over 6.7 million traffic accidents in the United States. Over 36,000 traffic fatalities occurred, and more than 2.7 million people were injured. It is crucial that we use all available safety information and technology to reduce the risk of fatal car accidents and severe injuries.
Steps to Take After a Houston Car Accident
If you are involved in a traffic accident, try not to panic. Call 911 to report the crash and request help. Do not discuss the details of the crash with anyone at the accident scene except law enforcement officers.
It is wise to see a doctor as soon as possible after a car wreck. Seeking prompt medical attention improves your chances of recovering fair compensation for a personal injury claim.
Seeking legal advice from a car accident lawyer can also be in your best interest. A lawyer advises you of your legal rights and helps you avoid making mistakes that could hurt your chance of receiving the money you deserve after another driver causes an accident.
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Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000.
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About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer.
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