Several Ways in Which Modern Cars Are Less Safe
Not all modern cars are actually safe. If you were hurt in a crash, the Delaware injury lawyers of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman want to help. Call us in Seaford, Newark, or Wilmington today.
New vehicle manufacturers always promote the latest and greatest features for their vehicles. While these features may be exciting, they can also be dangerous or even fatal. Many new cars and vehicles fail to prioritize the safety of the driver, the passengers, and the occupants of other vehicles. Even when car designers add more safety features, there can be unintended consequences that make the vehicles less safe than before the features were added.
A recent report from Cnet illustrated a few of the notable dangers. According to the report, some of the auto accident risk factors in the new modern vehicle that can lead to more car accidents or more serious injuries include:
- The increased weight of the car. While a heavier car may provide more safety when you’re struck by another vehicle, there is a flip side. Heavier cars generally cause more damage when they strike other vehicles because of the basic rules of physics. As cars add sturdier components, air bags, and other safety features, they add more weight to the vehicle. Cnet reported that 2018 Honda Accords weigh about 3,400 pounds compared to the 1976 models which weighed about 1,900 pounds.
- More power. As cars get heaver, they need more power to operate. The 2018 Honda Accord has a power to weight ratio that is one and half times that of the 1976 model. More power means more speed. More speed means more accidents and more severe crashes.
- Dark windows. Tinted windows may keep the sun out and keep other people from peering in. The downside is that darker windows make it harder to see including difficulty seeing pedestrians, bike riders and other cars. Pulling out of a driveway into traffic is riskier with tinted windows. Tinting is especially dangerous if the front windows are tinted.
- Poorer visibility. Modern cars now come equipped with pillars, “high waists”, and cameras to help reduce the risk of rollovers, provide better dynamics, and the ability to record. The trade-off is that the features can make it more difficult to see.
- Driver distraction. Drivers who are focused on their smartphones, looking at their GPS system, watching videos, and eating and drinking while driving are a danger to other drivers because they’re not focused on the road and because drivers can’t quickly respond to emergencies. Making the use of electronics and the ability to eat and drink while driving more friendly can increase the risk of driver distraction. Driving was simpler for drivers when he/she was focused on just the traffic in front.
At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we’re ready to fight for you or for a loved one if the design of a vehicle was the cause of your injuries or a fatality. We have the skills and resources to show that car designs were defective. In product liability cases, it is not necessary to prove the manufacturer was negligent. If their design was defective and the defect was the cause of the accident, then accident victims have the right to file a product liability lawsuit. To speak with a strong Delaware car safety attorney, call us at 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form to request a free consultation. We meet clients in across Delaware from our offices in Wilmington, Newark, or Seaford.
Attorney Jeffrey S. Friedman joined Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 2001. He graduated from Widener University School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and in several Federal Circuit courts. He areas of concentration include auto accident and workers’ compensation cases. Read more about Attorney Friedman here.