Vehicle Factors That Protect You in a Collision

There are different car factors that can protect you during a collision. When a Hummer and a Toyota Yaris crash head-on, you really don’t need to be a physicist to know that the Hummer is going to come off better.  However, in devastating crashes, where vehicles are totaled, there is no aspect of the car that really makes a difference. Here we will explain the factors that determine a vehicle collision outcome.

If people can walk away with none or minimal injuries, the safety system has done its job. But, in smaller collisions, sometimes the age or size of the car can make a difference in preventing injuries. Most people assume that the larger the vehicle the less likely you are to be injured, but that isn’t true. 

At Sudden Impact Auto we care about the safety of our customers. Read on for the factors that do affect the safety of the vehicles in a collision.

Vehicle Factors That Protect You In a Collision.

Weight and Size of Vehicle

Both weight and size do have an effect on damage during a collision, they’re just not the only factors. Heavy cars also have more protective materials that surround the passengers and more space between the passenger and the parts of the car they may encounter during a crash.

Larger, heavier vehicles are also better able to absorb the force of an impact in an auto collision.

It is also said that mass could be a more important safety feature than size for most car-to-car collisions. Although, size can predominate more when there is a rollover crash.

Momentum of Vehicle

Momentum is a factor that goes along with size. Larger cars have greater momentum, so they require more time to brake and stop. This can be an issue for new drivers, potentially resulting in more accidents.

If they do collide with a smaller vehicle, they are more likely to do substantial damage to that smaller vehicle. So if you are less aware of increasing braking times, having a bigger car could be an issue. Being in a smaller vehicle that collides with a bigger vehicle, however, can also be unsafe, since the smaller vehicle will absorb most of the impact.

When a car collides into a solid barrier, the result depends in part on the size of the front end of the vehicle. If your car’s front end is big enough to crush twice as much as the other car’s in a barrier collision at the same speed, its secured passengers will experience half of the force as the people in the smaller car. It takes them twice as long to stop.

Age of Vehicle

The age of the car also matters. 

If you’re in an older, heavier type of 4×4 and you hit a lighter more modern vehicle with a crumple zone, the occupants in the smaller but modern car will be better off. Crumple zones actually absorb the energy of a crash, this ensures the passenger cell stays intact and the front and rear airbags get activated to protect the passengers.

In older heavier cars, the solid main chassis member doesn’t budge. This sends the shock of the impact cannoning through the rest of the vehicle causing it to crush and deform. The occupants of the car may suffer leg crashes from the dashboard and steering wheel.

As technology advances, more and more features become optional or even standard to improve safety and crash outcomes. Some features that could make your car safer in a collision include side curtain airbags and stability control, while features to prevent collisions include back up cameras and blind-spot monitors. Overall, the newer the car is, the more likely it is to have important safety features that help you survive a collision.

Call Sudden Impact Auto Today for Vehicle Repair!

If you have any more questions about the different vehicle factors that protect you in a collision, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

If you have been involved in a car crash, Sudden Impact Auto is here to assist you. As a larger repair and paint shop working in Las Vegas, our expert technicians are capable of tackling every element of collision repair.  You can call us at 702-457-3002 to set up an appointment.