Carmakers have come a long way in recent years when it comes to protecting drivers and passengers. Today’s new vehicles not only come equipped with airbags; they have technology such as electronic stability control and forward collision warning with emergency braking.
But according to an NBC News report, these features provide more protection for people in the front seat than for those riding in the back. NBC reports on a new study that finds people in the front seats are more likely to survive a car accident than those seated behind them.
The study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that adults and children in the back seat suffered fatal injuries in crashes even when they wore their seatbelts.
Automakers should consider finding better ways to protect backseat passengers, researchers concluded. IIHS President David Harkey told NBC that front seats have become the safer place to be in a car due to the technological advances. “We hope a new evaluation will spur similar progress in the back seat,” he said.
Here are some takeaways of the IIHS study:
- Airbags save lives but are designed to protect front-seat occupants.
- Seatbelts can actually cause injuries for backseat passengers because they lack some of the safety functions designed for the front seat occupants.
- The most common type of injury to back seat passengers was to the chest.
It’s still recommended that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat. They should use age-appropriate car seats or booster seats. While airbags can protect adults in the front seat, these devices can kill children.
What to do if injured in a crash?
A car accident can change everything. If you or a loved one was injured while riding in the back seat – or a loved one died in a wreck – you will need a knowledgeable attorney who can protect your rights. That’s because the insurance company for the at-fault driver might try to convince you to settle the case for less than it’s worth. Or they might try to downplay your injuries. They might suggest that fighting for more compensation is not worth the hassle. But we know the reality. An injury or the loss of a loved one can affect you for the rest of your life. You may suffer a loss of income, or be unable to enjoy activities the way you did before the accident.
An experienced East Texas car accident lawyer at Weinstein Law can help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.