Many factors go into the severity of the injuries you will face if you are in a car crash. The speed and type of crash are two that come to mind right away. The road conditions, such as a presence of black ice, can also contribute to an accident.
The types of vehicles involved in the crash is another factor that can impact the outcome. It is no secret that some cars are safer than others. You don’t have to look far to find safety ratings for vehicles you are considering to purchase.
Top Safety Pick ratings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety publishes a list of the top rated vehicles for each year. Because of a change in criteria for the Top Safety Pick rating, only 15 vehicles for the year model 2018 qualify for this coveted rating.
In the past, only the driver’s side was tested for impact markers. For the 2018 year model testing, passenger side was also included in these safety tests. This is important because you want to ensure that all occupants of a vehicle will be safe if there is a crash.
The Top Safety Pick rating is the top of the line. The Top Safety Pick rating is second and is considered a safe option. Manufacturers must set the bar high and continue to strive to be better each year because these standards will keep increasing annually.
A look at the results by brand
When considering Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick rankings, Toyota stood out as the safest brand. It had 10 models that were awarded either of these ratings. Hyundai came in next with nine vehicles rated. Interestingly, all Subaru models earned one of the safety awards except the BRZ sports coupe.
Top of the list vehicles
Only 15 vehicles earned the Top Safety Pick rating, while 47 were rated as Top Safety Pick. The 15 with the highest rating were:
- Toyota Campry
- Subaru WRX
- Subaru Outback
- Subaru Legacy
- Subaru Impreza
- Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan
- Kia Soul
- Lincoln Continental
- Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Genesis G90
- Genesis G80
- Kia Forte Sedan
- BMW 5 Series
While driving a safe vehicle can help to protect you, it isn’t possible to prevent all crashes. Other drivers might end up causing an accident or road conditions might be the cause. Seeking medical care and considering your options for compensation are necessary if you are involved in an accident.