Car Crumple Zones

Car safety has improved greatly through the years due to increased safety features. Chances of injury and damage in a car accident are increased if you have an older vehicle as the car could have weaker brakes, old style tyres, no crumple zone, no airbags, no padding, no seat belts or head rests.

Newer cars generally have much improved safety features and a much better design with regard to the crumple zones. By law all new models of car have to pass certain tests before they are released.

European New Car Assessment Programme

European New Car Assessment Programme (EURO NCAP) tests the following:

Frontal impact
Car to Car Side impact
Pole Side impact
Child protection
Pedestrian protection
Whiplash
ESC (electronic stability control)
Seat belt reminders
Speed limitation devices

Rear impact Whiplash test

The result of this rear impact (whiplash) test was good. The VW Golf, Audi A4 and Volvo XC60 all score good on this test.

New EURO NCAP test results

Make and model	Overall	Adult	Child	Pedestrian	Safety Assist
Citroen C3 Picasso	4/5	81%	76%	43%	40%
Mazda 6	5/5	77%	81%	49%	71%
Mitsubishi Lancer	5/5	81%	80%	34%	71%
Suburu Impreza	4/5	84%	73%	72%	57%
Toyota Avensis	5/5	90%	86%	53%	86%
Toyota iQ	5/5	91%	71%	54%	86%

Results for some of Europe’s best-selling cars

Euro NCAP has released the results for some of Europe’s best-selling cars. Of the twelve vehicles whose results have been released, eight received Euro NCAP’s maximum award of five stars.

Euro NCAP’s top scorers for adult occupant protection in this release were the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia and the Volvo XC60. Not all of these cars performed as well in child occupant or pedestrian protection.

Euro NCAP rated the Dacia Sandero fitted with the basic level of safety equipment and also crash tested the car equipped with the ‘safety pack’, which is standard on some variants and optional on others. The Sandero fitted with the basic level of equipment scored three stars in adult occupant protection whilst the car with the optional safety pack, scored the equivalent of four stars. Euro NCAP is disappointed that this pack is not offered as standard on all variants, given the additional safety it offers to adult occupants.

Following Euro NCAP’s first tests on pickups earlier this year, the organisation today also releases the result for another: the Ford Ranger. The vehicle received a two star rating for adult occupant protection, underlining the lack of emphasis given by most manufacturers to the safety of cars in this category.

Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP says ‘It is clear that Euro NCAP’s new rating scheme in 2009 will offer a more discriminating view of the overall safety performance of today’s best selling vehicles and give customers the opportunity to prioritise and maximise the safety options on their vehicles.’

The first results for vehicles tested under the new rating system were released in February 2009. See above for some new test results. The ratings for the cars below can be seen in more detail at www.euroncap.com.

Make and model	Adult	Child	Pedestrian
Alfa Romeo MiTo	5/5	3/4	2/4
Dacia Sandero	3/5	4/4	1/4
Ford Fiesta	5/5	4/4	3/4
Ford Ka	4/5	3/4	2/4
Ford Ranger	2/5	3/4	2/4
Honda Accord	5/5	4/4	3/4
Renault Megane	4/5	3/4	1/4
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia	5/5	4/4	2/4
Peugeot 308CC	5/5	3/4	2/4
Renault Megane	5/5	4/4	2/4

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury in a car accident then we are here to help you get back on the road. We can help you claim compensation for your injuries by offering a 100% Compensation - No Win No Fee service, meaning that you receive 100% of your compensation and pay absolutely nothing to claim.

You can make a claim if...

The accident happened less than 3 years ago*
The accident was not your fault
You have suffered injury, losses or expenses

* unless it is a claim for a child, which can be made any time up until the child reaches the age of 21. There are very few other exceptions.

So, if you've suffered an injury in a car accident in the last three years, contact us to find out how we can help you claim the compensation you are legally entitled to.

Call our free phone helpline 0800 0688 500 to speak to an advisor in confidence.

Or fill in our easy online claim form for a free claim assessment with no obligation.