Car companies are marketing their vehicles as safer and more luxurious than ever. Big, new vehicles have additional airbags, stronger engines, tinted windows and other modern features. These vehicles may be safer for the driver and passengers inside, but when these larger vehicles are involved in car accidents with older vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians they may actually make our roadways more dangerous.
Over the past few decades the automobile industry has moved toward bigger vehicles with more powerful engines and darker windows. Large vehicles tend to have a more stable and smooth ride. The desire for faster acceleration has led to the development of more powerful engines. Due to these and other factors longer stopping distances are necessary to avoid collisions. When car accidents involving larger vehicles do occur the increased forces raise the danger of severe bodily injury. While tinted windows protect against the sun and provide greater privacy, they may also obstruct the driver’s view of pedestrians, bicyclists or other obstacles. These issues lead to many newer vehicles being more dangerous for those outside the vehicle.
One way to protect yourself and your family from other folks driving larger vehicles is by having the best possible automobile insurance coverage. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on your own automobile insurance will pay a portion or possibly all of your medical expenses resulting from an accident. PIP may also provide wage loss coverage if you are out of work because of an accident. Another valuable type of automobile insurance coverage is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UIM) coverage. UIM coverage provides compensation if you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has too little auto insurance or no auto insurance at all. Both PIP and UIM are optional insurance coverages in Washington State, but they provide valuable benefits and should be considered when purchasing automobile insurance.
As a driver, bicyclist or pedestrian there is only so much you can do to avoid an accident, but you can be control your own insurance coverage. If you or a loved one are recovering from auto accident related injuries, then call [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-4″]. We can help.