Personal Injury Law Blog

Car accidents are a common occurrence on Chicago’s roads and often result in serious injuries, significant financial burdens, and emotional trauma. While advancements in automotive safety have improved over the years, certain vehicles are statistically more dangerous than others. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a high-risk car or a defective vehicle, you might have legal options. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help clients navigate claims for personal injuries and product liability, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.

Understanding the Risk of Cars with the Highest Fatal Accident Rates

Research shows that some vehicles pose a significantly higher risk to drivers and passengers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the fatal accident rate has risen to 2.8 per billion miles in recent years, with compact and subcompact cars recording the highest fatality rates.

Some of the vehicles with the most alarming statistics include:

• Hyundai Venue—fatal accident rate of 13.9 per billion miles, 4.9 times the overall average;
• Chevrolet Corvette—fatal accident rate of 13.6 per billion miles, 4.8 times the overall average;
• Mitsubishi Mirage—fatal accident rate of 13.6 per billion miles, 4.8 times the overall average;
• Porsche 911—fatal accident rate of 13.2 per billion miles, 4.6 times the overall average;
• Honda CR-V Hybrid—fatal accident rate of 13.2 per billion miles, 4.6 times the overall average;
• Tesla Model Y—fatal accident rate of 10.6 per billion miles, 3.7 times the overall average;
• Mitsubishi Mirage G4—fatal accident rate of 10.1 per billion miles, 3.6 times the overall average;
• Buick Encore GX—fatal accident rate of 9.8 per billion miles, 3.4 times the overall average;
• Kia Forte—fatal accident rate of 8.1 per billion miles, 2.9 times the overall average, and
• Buick Envision—fatal accident rate of 8.0 per billion miles, 2.8 times the overall average.

Compact and subcompact models like the Hyundai Venue and Mitsubishi Mirage have exceptionally high fatality rates. These vehicles lack the size and weight of full-size models, which are statistically safer, with a fatal accident rate of just 2.0 per billion miles.

Why Are Some Cars More Dangerous?

Several factors contribute to why certain cars have higher fatal accident rates:

• Size and weight. Smaller vehicles tend to fare worse in collisions due to their lower mass and limited ability to absorb impact.
• Crash-test performance. Poor crash-test ratings often indicate that a vehicle is less equipped to protect occupants in an accident.
• Driver demographics. Some vehicles are more popular among younger or less experienced drivers, which can increase accident rates.
• Speed and power. High-performance cars like the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 may encourage risky driving behaviors, leading to more severe accidents.
• Defective components. In some cases, a car’s design or manufacturing defects may directly contribute to its danger on the road.

Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle and highlight the importance of holding manufacturers accountable for design flaws that put drivers and passengers at risk.

Types of Claims You Can Pursue After a Chicago Accident

If you were injured in an accident involving a high-risk vehicle or believe a defect contributed to the crash, you may have grounds to file a legal claim.

Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims focus on recovering compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. In the context of a car accident, this might involve another driver’s reckless actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield. To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must prove that the other driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries. In Illinois, personal injury damages may include compensation for various losses. These can cover medical expenses such as hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation. They may also include reimbursement for lost wages and diminished earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work. Additionally, damages can account for pain and suffering, addressing both the physical injuries and emotional distress caused by the accident.

Product Liability Claims

Product liability claims arise when a vehicle’s defective design or manufacturing contributes to an accident or increases the severity of injuries. Examples include faulty airbags, defective brakes, or a car that fails to meet crash safety standards. To establish a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the vehicle or its part had a design, manufacturing, or marketing defect. Additionally, you must prove that this defect rendered the vehicle unreasonably dangerous and directly caused your injuries. Illinois law allows consumers to seek compensation from car manufacturers, parts suppliers, or dealerships that sell defective products.

Have You Been Injured in a Chicago Car Accident?

If you or someone you care about was recently hurt in a car accident, it is important to understand your rights and what you need to do to pursue a claim for compensation against the at-fault party. At the Chicago car accident law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we have been aggressively pursuing compensation on behalf of our clients and their families since 1987—almost 40 years! We know what it takes to secure fair compensation for what you’ve been through and will not rest until we’ve done everything possible to ensure that justice has been served. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation, give Briskman Briskman & Greenberg a call at 877-595-4878. You can also connect with one of our Chicago car accident lawyers by completing our secure online contact form.