Chevrolet Spark received the only acceptable rating and good rating in the Institute’s five crash worthiness evaluations, including the small overlap front crash test. No other mini car passed, so by default, the Spark earned the 2014 Top Safety Pick Award.
What is the small overlap front crash test? According to the Institute, “the small overlap front crash test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or object.” When the test is performed, 25% of the minicar’s front end must strike a rigid barrier going approximately 40mph. Why do they do this test? This test bypasses the front-end crush zone and is a telling indicator of how safe the car truly is.
While vehicle manufacturers have found ways to strengthen this area on larger vehicles, minicars do not have the room or size to add structure. This puts them at a major disadvantage—and ultimately, makes them less safe. When a car doesn’t perform well on the overlap front crash test, it means that safety components, such as airbags, can be dislodged in serious accident, causing serious and often fatal injuries.
How bad did mini cars fail this test? Well when the Fiat 500 went through the test, the driver’s side door was torn off at the hinges and the crash test dummy hit is head on the instrument panel, causing serious injuries. To make matters worse, the steering components were pushed so far back into the dummy, that the model sustained serious leg injuries.
Safety is Too Important to Risk
If you were considering a minicar as your next vehicle, you might want to rethink this decision. Safety is too important to risk and serious injuries can occur in the blink of an eye. Larger vehicles may guzzle more gasoline or cost a bit more, but many of them offer safety features and structures that minicars simply can’t compete with. If you are looking to buy that new minicar, consider the Spark—at least it passed the test.
Colorado Car Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been injured after a mini car accident anywhere in the State of Colorado, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. From the moment you are injured, the lawyers at Reisch Law Firm go to work for you.
Call the Westminster personal injury attorneys at Reisch Law Firm today at 303-291-0555 for a FREE initial consultation. The personal injury attorneys at Reisch Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Westminster, Arvada, Boulder, Commerce City, Northglenn, Broomfield, Wheat Ridge, Brighton, Thornton, Denver, Lakewood, and throughout the State of Colorado.
