Fatal Crashes Most Frequent Among Subcompacts Sports Cars

The automotive research firm iSeeCars.com has come out with a study on vehicles with a 2013-2017 model year and how frequently they get into fatal accidents. Drivers in Kentucky should know that subcompact cars and sports cars, in particular, can be deadly. Whereas the average fatal crash rate came to 2.6 cars per billion vehicle miles, the rate was 4.5 for subcompacts and 4.6 for sports cars.

There were specifically 14 vehicles with a fatal crash rate that was double that of the average, and both subcompacts and sports cars had six entries in that list. The subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage came in first with a rate of 10.2 cars per billion vehicle miles, followed by the Chevrolet Corvette (9.8) and the Honda Fit (7.7). The list was rounded out by the Kia Soul (5.3) and the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and Nissan Versa Note (both 5.2).

Some explanations for this trend are possible, such as the fact that subcompacts and sports cars tend not to come with many active safety features. There are exceptions, though, like the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro (numbers 10 and 11). Many of the listed vehicles received a four- or five-star safety rating from NHTSA. The Kia Soul was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Yet many vehicles failed certain crash tests from the IIHS.

When drivers incur serious car accident injuries because another driver was negligent and because their own vehicle did not protect them as well as they thought, they may be able to file a third-party insurance claim. Not everyone can since Kentucky is a no-fault state, so victims may want to consult an attorney. The attorney may assist with every step of the filing process, including the gathering of evidence against the defendant and the negotiation of a fair settlement.