Driving safely is one of the best ways you can protect yourself on the road. You certainly can’t control how other drivers operate, though. If you are in an accident caused by the actions of another driver, you can work with a lawyer to seek compensation for any damages.
To minimize potential medical damages or loss of life should an accident occur, many people opt to purchase vehicles with high safety ratings. Here’s a look at some of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top picks for 2016.
Among large family cars, the Toyota Avalon seems to fair the best, especially if you opt for the front crash prevention. It’s the only large car that makes the IIHS list.
You’ll have more options in economy, midsize and luxury cars. Some include the Mini Cooper with the hardtop, two doors and optional front crash prevention. You might also choose the Acura ILX, 2-door Civic, Elantra, or any of a number of Subaru models. Again, optioning for front crash prevention increases safety on almost all these vehicles.
Among minivans, the safest picks seem to be the Honda Odyssey and Chevy Pacifica. Smaller SUVS offer over a dozen IIHS picks, including Honda’s CRV, Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-5 and the Nissan Rough. If you’re a pickup person, you might consider the Ford F150 Crew Cab or extended cab options.
In all, the IIHS has about 50 models to choose from on its list of top safety picks for 2016. Remember that even the safest vehicles can crash and you can still be injured in them, so wear a seat belt and always drive carefully.
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “2016 Top Safety Picks,” accessed Nov. 25, 2016