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"Though much safer than they were a few years ago, mini cars, as a group, do a comparatively poor job of protecting people in crashes, simply because they're smaller and lighter," says Adrian Lund, the president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

IIHS News of January 22, 2014 reported that in  small overlap front crash tests of  2013-2014 mini car models, only 1 mini car out of the 11 tested achieved an acceptable rating. This makes the tiny vehicles the worst performing group of any IIHS has evaluated to date.

According to IIHS the small overlap test, introduced in 2012, replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole.  25 percent of a vehicle's front end on the driver's side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph in the test.  IIHS says this test is more difficult than head-on crash  tests because most of the vehicle's front-end crush zone is bypassed. In this scenario, it is hard for the vehicle to manage the crash energy which can cause the occupant compartment to collapse. Some vehicle manufacturers, however, have been able to meet this challenge by improving the structure of  the vehicles.

In the IIHS Status Report - By The Numbers issued in September 2012, they report that "injury claims data show something that crash test results can't: the role of vehicle size.  In the real world, if all else is equal, a larger vehicle protects people better than a smaller one."  PIP (Personal Injury Protection) claims reported show the highest claim frequency for 2009-2011 (latest available data) models with a claim frequency per 1,000 insured vehicle years of the following:

Before purchasing, leasing or renting a vehicle, consumers should follow SaferCar.gov's advice and "Shop Smart for a Safer Car, SUV, Mini-Van or Light Truck". Safer Car.gov is a NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) website which provides easy to compare vehicle ratings in one place. Using NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings, allows consumers to compare safety ratings by searching for the crash worthiness and rollover safety by model, class and manufacturer.  Reviewing claim history, if possible, is another indicator of vehicle safety.

Lee County Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey` of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. says, "We have seen the results of crashes involving unsafe vehicles.  The consequences can be devastating for the injured and for their families.  Researching safety data before purchasing, leasing or renting vehicles can help prevent these tragedies."

Fort Myers Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.