Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Reports Crash Test Results | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the Kia Sedona and Subaru Impreza were the best performers in this spring’s test of minivans and small cars. The Sedona is the first minivan to earn the Top Safety Pick award and the Impreza is only the second small car to earn the award.

While other minivans perform well in front and side crash tests, the Sedona is the first to achieve a satisfactory level of rear crash protection, reports Institute president Adrian Lund. Lund praised Kia for designing the seat and head restraints for protection in “the most common kinds of commuter traffic crashes.” The most common form of injury from rear impact crashes is whiplash, which costs insurance agencies about $8.5 billion a year for about 2 million claims.

The Institute also tested a hybrid car for the first time, the Toyota Prius. The Prius performed well in front crash testing. However, when it came to side crash testing, the presence of the optional side air bags made a world of difference. Without the airbags, the dummy’s head struck the car with a force that was likely to cause serious skull fracture and brain injuries. With the optional airbags, all injury measures were low. Optional side airbags also proved critical in the side impact crashes of the Dodge Grand Caravan, which had similar results.

About the Author

Patrick M. Regan, Esq.

Patrick Regan is a board certified personal injury lawyer and a founding partner at Regan Zambri Long. His practice is devoted to helping those who suffered catastrophic injuries in car accidents, truck accidents, Metro accidents, and medical malpractice. Over his nearly 40-year career, Patrick has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in the history of Washington, DC on behalf of injured victims. Patrick is licensed to practice law in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. He received his B.A. at Hamilton College and his J.D. at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.