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Two midsize SUVs receive poor front passenger safety scores

Due to family needs, many Missouri residents are driving larger vehicles, such as crossovers and SUVs. These vehicles can fit more people and allow passengers to haul more in one trip. While all crossovers and SUVs are thought to be safer than sedans, this is not always the case.

In testing the safety of eight different SUVs, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety destroyed the vehicles in order to raise awareness for the safety of front passengers. To determine just how safe the vehicles are, IIHS utilizes four ratings that range from good to poor. The test that was conducted was the passenger-side small overlap test, which is where the test vehicle’s front passenger side hits an immobile barrier. Essentially, the test mimics hitting a post or a tree at speeds of 40 miles per hour.

Six of the eight vehicles that were tested received either good or acceptable rating. The other two vehicles, the 2018 Ford Explorer and the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, received poor scores. IIHS noted that on the Explorer, measurements taken on the crash test dummy found that there was a high likelihood of right hip and left lower leg accident injuries. The Grand Cherokee had measurements indicating that head trauma could be likely as the dummy’s head hit the dashboard when the side curtain airbag did not deploy.

No matter how safe vehicles may be, those who are involved in car accidents are always at risk for suffering serious injuries. These injuries may include whiplash, broken bones or damage to internal organs. If it is determined that the other driver was responsible for the accident, a personal injury attorney may assist with filing a claim against the other driver and his or her insurance company. If an appropriate settlement cannot be reached, the attorney may litigate.