Teen drivers who have just received their driver’s licenses usually cannot wait to get on the road. Because teenage drivers are typically less experienced and more impulsive than other drivers, it is important that they operate motor vehicles equipped with the latest safety features that can minimize the possibility of an accident.
Still, regardless of how cautious a driver you are, an accident can still happen. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by another driver’s negligence, attorney Stewart J. Guss may be able to help you obtain compensation for your injuries and damages.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s used car picks
Driving a safe car can minimize the harmful effects of a motor vehicle accident. Yet, perhaps because of teen drivers’ tendency to wreck cars, most parents choose to purchase used vehicles for their children. Understanding this, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published a list of the safest used cars for teenage drivers. Currently, the best choice among large cars—based upon both safety and price—is the Volvo S80 (2007 or newer).
The best midsize car is the Dodge Avenger (model years 2011–2014). The best small SUV is the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2011 or newer), and the best midsize SUV is the Volvo XC90 (2005 or newer).
Safety criteria
When you are purchasing a vehicle for a young driver, you should always take the following into account:
- Total horsepower – Newly licensed teenage drivers will likely try to test the horsepower of a powerful engine, and doing so can result in a serious accident. The best bet is to stick with the base engine.
- Vehicle size – When buying a vehicle for a teen driver, you are better off purchasing larger and heavier vehicles, because these vehicles are generally safer.
- Electronic stability control – This feature has cut the single-vehicle fatal crash risk almost in half and has been a required feature for new vehicles since 2012. This feature assists drivers with maintaining control of their vehicles on curves and wet roads.
- Vehicle safety ratings – When purchasing a vehicle for a young driver, make sure that the vehicle has the best safety ratings possible.
Contact a Houston car accident attorney today
Purchasing a safe vehicle for your teen driver is the first step to preventing a motor vehicle collision. Sometimes, however, no matter how safe your vehicle is—and no matter how many precautions you take—motor vehicle accidents will still happen when other drivers behave in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another negligent driver, you should contact attorney Stewart J. Guss today for your free consultation by calling 800-898-4877 or sending an email through our online contact form.
