There are many different factors to examine when it comes to assessing the risk of an auto accident and the likelihood that those involved will lose their lives. Speed, road conditions and alcohol consumption are frequently examined. However, it is vital to take other potential risk factors into consideration, such as the age of a vehicle. People drive older vehicles for many reasons, whether they have a passion for classic cars, or they have to drive an older vehicle because they are living on a budget. Either way, it is important for drivers to be aware of the potential risks.
Data presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that the age of a vehicle may have an impact on the likelihood of its driver passing away in the event of a motor vehicle collision. The NHTSA found that fatal traffic accident injuries increased along with older vehicle models and a vehicle’s age. However, even though accidents involving newer vehicles were found to have a lower likelihood of fatal injuries, these benefits disappear when a driver is unrestrained and fails to use their seat belt.
Older vehicles may lack some of the safety advancements that are found in newer vehicles, and there are other reasons why these vehicles may be more dangerous. For example, a driver may lack familiarity with an older model, or the vehicle may not have been maintained properly, causing something to go wrong on the road. Regardless of a vehicle’s age, auto accident victims who have had their lives shattered by another’s negligence deserve justice.
