A recent study showed that teenagers and adults over the age of 65 are the most likely to be injured in a car accident due to driving vehicles with substandard safety features. The study also showed that people in low-income areas are more frequently killed in car accidents, likely because they can’t afford vehicles with standard safety features.
To collect this data, researchers studied New Jersey car accidents dating from 2010 to 2017. They assessed the ages of the drivers, the types of vehicles they were driving, and the safety features that had been installed in the vehicle. The study revealed that younger and older drivers were less likely to drive vehicles with airbags, electronic stability control and other important safety features.
The study also showed that teenage drivers from low-income areas drove vehicles that were up to twice as old as their high-income counterparts. Young drivers from high-income areas were much more likely to drive vehicles with airbags and other safety features, reducing their risk of personal injury. One of the researchers who was involved in the study said that it’s important for people to buy the safest vehicle they can afford. Many affordable vehicles come with standard features like airbags and electronic safety control.
A car accident can result in extensive injuries, emotional trauma and even death as well as high medical or funeral bills. An individual might become permanently disabled and lose the ability to work. As a result, a person involved in a car accident may be eligible for compensation. An attorney may assess if a lawsuit is viable, bring the case to court and work to negotiate with the other party for a settlement to cover medical and emotional damages.