Crash test ratings play a major role in preventing fatal car accidents and ensuring passenger safety, especially in a state like Wisconsin. Every year, thousands of crashes and injuries occur on the state’s roadways. In 2022 alone, Wisconsin recorded 595 fatalities due to vehicle accidents. Thanks to vehicle technology, crash test ratings are helpful safety tools for consumers.
Organizations such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) do crash tests to check the safety of vehicles. These ratings allow consumers to compare how vehicles perform in crash tests, such as frontal, side, and rollover impacts, to help them make safer choices.
However, despite this technology, the dark reality is that manufacturers often overlook the real-world implications. For example, a vehicle with a high crash test rating may not perform as well on Wisconsin roads. During an accident, these features may or may not prove effective. Therefore, if you were in an accident, talk to an attorney from Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC.
Understanding crash test ratings
Crash test ratings are conducted to evaluate the vehicle’s ability to protect the passengers inside in the event of an accident. They are also done to understand the vehicle’s overall ability to avoid crashes. Crash test ratings play a significant role in influencing the consumer’s decision when it comes to buying a new car.
In the United States, two organizations conduct these crash test ratings, which are:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): They are a government agency that uses a 5-star rating system to categorize vehicles based on their performance.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): They are a non-profit organization that uses a different grading system consisting of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor—to rate vehicle safety.
Types of crash tests
There are mainly four types of crash tests, including the following:
- Frontal crash tests: Tests head-on collisions and the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants during frontal-end collisions.
- Side-impact crash tests: Tests a vehicle’s resilience to collisions from the side, commonly known as T-bone accidents.
- Rollover tests: Such tests check the vehicle’s likelihood to overturn during sudden maneuvers.
- Rear-impact tests: These are less frequently conducted but measure the vehicle’s ability to protect its passengers from behind during collisions.
How high-rated vehicles offer better protection
Vehicles that receive high ratings during crash tests demonstrate stronger integrity, which directly means that they will protect occupants better during collisions. A vehicle with strong structural integrity is designed to limit deformation in key areas during a crash, allowing it to absorb impact forces more effectively.
Additionally, modern high-rated vehicles come with various safety features that a lot of consumers look for when buying a car. These include:
- Airbags: Airbags reduce the risk of injury by activating in crash situations.
- Seatbelts: Advanced seatbelt systems, including pretensioners that tighten during impact, make sure passengers remain restrained during accidents.
- Crumple zones: These are designed to absorb impact during collisions and deform upon impact. This helps lessen the severity of the injury.
Influence of crash test ratings on vehicle design
Crash test ratings influence how manufacturers design their vehicles and prioritize safety. For instance, if the tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) give poor ratings for a vehicle, the manufacturers are likely to make changes to improve safety.
Furthermore, manufacturers are pressured to create vehicles that are safe to increase their sales. They enhance vehicle safety by incorporating advanced technologies designed to prevent accidents. These include automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, both of which are now common in many top-rated vehicles.
Protect yourself today!
Being injured in a car accident on Wisconsin roads is not an uncommon occurrence. However, if you were injured due to a manufacturer’s negligence, you deserve justice. Hire an attorney today!
