How Cars Got Safer

Mar 29,2018

Here are two striking statistics on car safety:

Overall, U.S. traffic deaths have dropped to their lowest level since 1949.
The drop happened even though Americans drove 21 billion more miles in 2010 than in 1949… the contrast with 60 years prior is startling.

Why the Improvement?

Fortunately, cars are getting safer. Since the Ford Pinto about 40 years ago, the technology has been geared toward safety. The Pinto was emblematic of corporate executives putting profits ahead of people. The exploding gas tanks and the cavalier attitude about the profit calculations stunned the public.

Though manufacturers resisted and their political allies aided in avoiding and deferring safety features, it’s not a surprise that consumers prefer cars with the latest safety features.

But, had it not been for the civil justice system and litigation efforts by hard-working lawyers to bring to justice those manufacturers who were concerned only with profits and not with avoiding burn deaths, this change would not have occurred.

And why is the civil justice system so important? In the Pinto case, Ford Motor Co. could argue that it had met all government standards at the time. The government took no steps to compel Ford to make the rear gas tank safer with the inclusion of an inexpensive rubber bladder inside the gas tank, which would prevent fire on rupture.

But the lawsuits brought by burn victims which held Ford accountable, financially, compelled changes that made cars safer and those changes would not have occurred had it been left to government bureaucrats and Congress controlled by industry lobbyists.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.