THE MERCURY INSURANCE GROUP PROMULGATES FIVE TIPS DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUNG DRIVERS TO FOCUS ON SAFETY ALSO HELPS TO LOWER THE COST OF AUTO INSURANCE
A press release issued by Mercury Insurance Group on September 16, 2008 presents five excellent safety tips for parents faced with the challenge of choosing the first car for their teens. The suggestion from the Mercury Insurance Group focus on safety, which also helps to lower the cost of auto insurance. The personal injury and automotive safety and vehicle defect lawyers at the Pennsylvania personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily salute Mercury Insurance Company for their suggestions and promulgation of automobile safety.
According to the Mercury Insurance Group press release, new teens spend countless hours dreaming of owning their first car. A fast sports car conjures exciting images, while an SUV has ample room for all of their friends and both vehicles have one thing in common, neither is a good choice for teens.
Mercury suggests setting ground rules that may ease the polarized view points shared by parents and their teens.
Tip 1: Watch the speed. Driving fast cars with turbo chargers and high horse power continue significant risk. Since car accidents are the leading cause of death among 15 to 20 year olds, 1/3 of those accidents are attributable to speeding. Any fast car is an unwise choice. A good choice is a vehicle with a 4 cylinder engine and an average horsepower which costs less to insure and may save lives.
Tip 2: Grounded in reality. When it comes to vehicles, many parents mistakenly presume that big equates to safe. The opposite is often times true for young drivers. However, as SUVs and pickup trucks can pose significant dangers for teen drivers due to their high center of gravity which makes them less stable and more prone to rollover than traditional mid-sized sedans, particularly with inexperienced drivers. Reality check: pickup trucks are two times more likely and SUVs are three times more likely to rollover than traditional passenger cars.
Tip 3: Buy 1997 or later. While pre-owned cars are less expensive, older models may be more costly to insure and they often do not have modern safety features found on newer cars. Although many parents cannot afford newer vehicles, they should focus on models manufactured after 1997 or later, the year airbags were required in all cars. Another important safety feature includes side airbags, antilock brakes and roll stability control.
Tip 4: Know the score. Whether shopping for a newer pre-owned vehicle, always check crash test scores. All vehicles are rated the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which provides ratings on a vehicle’s ability to withstand a front or side impact. Although these scores are approximate, they provide an excellent appraisal of the models structural integrity. For actual crash test scores, visit the NHTSA website at
www.safercar.gov.
Tip 5: Ask for a rate quote. Before you go shopping, find out how much it will cost to insure your teen in his or her new car. Compare rates with many insurance companies. We suggest that you also contact Mercury Insurance Group as they often offer fairer automobile insurance rates and we salute their initiative towards promoting driver safety. For a complimentary rate quote, log on to the Mercury website
www.mercuryinsurance.com
The Pennsylvania personal injury and SUV rollover law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to promoting automotive safety. The experienced lawyers at the Pennsylvania vehicle defect law firm of Reiff & Bily have been representing victims in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States who have been injured as a result of preventable injuries due to defective automotive design and negligence of careless drivers.
We believe the combined proud efforts of trial lawyers, insurance companies and manufacturers in the United States who have particular knowledge in litigating defective vehicle cases has lead the manufacturers, parents and NHTSA to take more aggressive steps to protect unknowing consumers from catastrophic injuries. Each month the National Highway Transport Authority releases a list of recalls of defective vehicles which should also be consulted. To view this information go to www.nhtsa.gov or www.safercar.gov. This site will provide information including vehicle and equipment campaigns from 1966 to present.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defectively designed automobile or have been seriously injured in a car accident, the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Reiff & Bily will examine the facts, review the investigative reports and other evidence to determine who was responsible for the accident. We will also consider what other factors contributed to the accident such as unsafe road conditions, inadequate road signs or defective traffic devices. Our team will establish the amount of damages to which you may be legally entitled under Pennsylvania law. Reiff & Bily can handle every aspect of your car accident case. We will negotiate a settlement agreement with the responsible parties and the insurance companies for you. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and litigate your case in court and see that you receive the maximum recovery for your injury.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident, we urge you to call the experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com to discuss your case.
