How to Buy a Safe Vehicle in Tampa

No one wants to be in a Tampa car accident or have to visit with a Tampa auto accident attorney because they were injured in an auto accident. And yet people will often spend more time asking the car dealership on Dale Mabry or in Brandon about the features of a car's stereo before asking about the car's safety features. Does that make sense?

If you want to drive a car that has both a good stereo AND will be safe for you and your family to drive, consider using the available resources to check out the car's safety record and features. You also must consider how Tampa car accidents with injuries happen.

For example, did you know that safety research shows that accidents often happen because drivers lose their ability to safely control their vehicles either from a steering or braking stand point. To reduce this risk, look into whether the vehicle you intend to purchase has a Electronic Stability Control [ESC] device in it. This one feature can allow you to remain in control when driving and help you to avoid serious injuries from Tampa car accidents.

The ESC uses various sensors to determine the direction that the Tampa car driver wants to go and compares that to the direction the vehicle is actually going. The system uses that information to adjust the brakes so that the driver can bring the vehicle back under control. Is this important? Well, according to studies, the use of ESC reduced single vehicle crashes by as much as 34% and SUVs, which tend to have more destabilizing forces, as much as 59%. Because this feature is so effective in preventing car accidents Tampa and other cities throughout the country, the government has made the ESC device mandatory in all vehicles starting with the 2012 model year.

So if you're buying a vehicle before 2012, you'll want to consider making sure that your new "older" model car has an ESC system. Alternatively, you might wait until the 2012 model comes out. A Tampa car accident lawyer will tell you that not all auto collisions can be avoided with an ESC device, but it’s always good to have devices that can significantly reduce your risk.

To get an overall sense of how a vehicle you want to purchase compares with other vehicles, you should consider using the internet. Websites maintained by the IIHS and NHTSA will show you comparisons of how test dummies scored in various tests. These organizations have even started to provide information regarding roof strength to weight ratio which can be particularly important if you are considering buying a SUV and are afraid of being involved in a Tampa rollover SUV accident. You may not be aware, but 25% of all fatal and catastrophic injuries result from rollovers. So you can understand then the importance of understanding the strength of a vehicle's roof if you want to prevent catastrophic type injuries in car accidents Tampa.

Things to look at on these websites and to ask your car dealer about include seat belts. You want to avoid vehicles that have only a lap belt. If you're involved in a Tampa car accident, Tampa injury law firms will tell you that having a lap belt and shoulder harness is the best way to avoid significant injury for you and your passengers if you're involved in a car accident.

When looking at the test dummy data, you should know that the test dummies are involved in frontal and side impact tests. The instruments that are attached to the test dummies record various forces that are placed on the neck, chest, femurs and head when a crash occurs. This data is then measured and rated. Although certainly you can educate yourself with regard to the types of forces that cause injury if you're involved in a Tampa car accident, you might find it much easier to just be guided by the star rating system. This five star rating system can be prove much more user friendly and you should realize that five is the highest rating and a one is the lowest.

Finally, regardless what you read on line about a vehicle's crash worthiness, it will remain important that you go to the dealership to "kick the tires." It's very important that you feel comfortable behind the wheel, that the seats allow you to feel in control of your vehicle, that the seatbelt system fits you properly. These are things that are important for your comfort, but will also help you to avoid a being injured in a Tampa lawyer auto accident.

Click here to contact us.