Study: Fatal crash rate is highest among subcompacts, sports cars

A study from the automotive research firm iSeeCars.com has shown that among 2013 to 2017 vehicle models, the deadliest cars are subcompacts and sports cars. Drivers in Kentucky should know that the study was based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and includes a list of 14 vehicles from those model years with the highest rate of fatal auto accidents.

While the average fatal crash rate for all vehicles was 2.6 cars per billion vehicle miles, that of subcompacts and sports cars was 4.5 and 4.6, respectively. The individual cars on the list had even more startling fatal crash rates. At the top were the Mitsubishi Mirage with a rate of 10.2, Chevrolet Corvette with 9.8, Honda Fit with 7.7 and Kia Forte with 7.4. Even the vehicles at the bottom of the list, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and Nissan Versa Note, both had a rate of 5.2.

Many of the subcompacts had high NHTSA safety ratings yet performed poorly during certain crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For instance, the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa Note both received a “poor” rating in the IIHS’s driver-side small overlap test. Subcompacts and sports cars tend to have few active safety features beyond rear-view cameras, and this lack of features may partially be to blame for the high fatal crash rates.

If their injuries were severe, victims of motor vehicle accidents may be able to file a third-party insurance claim. Kentucky is a no-fault state, so victims may want to discuss the matter with an attorney before proceeding with a claim. If victims die, their family may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to be compensated for pre-death medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, loss of support and more. Whatever the situation, an attorney may work to negotiate for a reasonable settlement.