Nissan Quest And Others Rated As “Poor” In Crash Test
Minivans are popular among parents, especially those with young children. The minivan’s popularity stems from the cargo space the vehicle provides for carrying children and their supplies, as well as the perception that minivans are “safer” than smaller vehicles.
The minivan’s overall safety has recently been called into question by recent crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In these crash tests, three popular minivans earned poor ratings in the small overlap crash test, which evaluates how a vehicle reacts when the front corner on the driver’s side hits another vehicle or object at 40 miles per hour.
Of these three types of minivans evaluated, the Nissan Quest was described as one of the worst models ever evaluated in this type of test, according to IIHS spokesperson Russ Rader. The test results apply to model year 2011 to 2015 Quest vehicles.
Besides the Nissan Quest, other minivans that received a “poor” rating in the overlap test include the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Toyota Sienna received an acceptable rating. The only vehicle to receive a “good” rating was the Honda Odyssey.
In describing the Nissan Quests test result, the IIHS said that, although the Quest received a good sub-rating for its safety belt and air bag functioning, the minivan tested poorly overall. As explained by one expert, the force of the test crash was so strong in the Nissan Quest that the forces on the vehicle exceeded the computer sensor limits for recording the magnitude of the crash. Specifically, an IIHS spokesperson commented that, if a crash dummy were a real person, the person would be “lucky to ever walk normally again.”
During the testing of the Quest, in particular, the crash caused the corner of the driver’s door to be pushed in two feet. This resulted in the vehicle’s floor and instrument panel pinning the crash dummy into its seat. The crash was so violent that the testers had to remove the seat in order to cut the dummy out of the vehicle. They also had to use a crowbar to free the dummy’s right foot.
However, testers acknowledge that no single test determines overall vehicle safety. And it is important to consider how a vehicle performs in the four main crash types—side, rollover, rear, and moderate-overlap front. The test also did not evaluate how children or other passengers sitting in the second or third row would have been impacted by the front overlap crash.
Front End Collision Injuries
The type of injuries that can be sustained in a front-end collision depend upon the exact nature of the crash. However, one of the most significant influences on injury severity is vehicle impact velocity.
Some of the more common injuries include:
- whiplash;
- neck pain;
- head injury;
- chest and rib injuries;
- broken pelvis;
- broken arms or legs;
- bruises and cuts; and
- crush injuries and amputations.
Even when an accident results from a low-velocity impact, injuries may occur. That is why it is important to always seek a medical evaluation following any automobile accident. A properly trained physician can evaluate and document any possible injuries and provide treatment options.
Tallahassee Legal Help For Minivan Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a minivan accident in the Tallahassee area, call the automobile accident lawyers at Fasig & Brooks for a free consultation to discuss your legal options and how we can protect your legal rights to financially recover for your losses. You can reach one of our attorneys by calling (850) 222-3232 or by contacting us online today.
