If you want to know what safety features are most important, our auto accident lawyer shares some advice.

Even the best drivers sometimes can’t avoid an auto accident. Auto accident safety begins even before the collision. When car shopping, it’s wise to choose a vehicle that helps protect you. At Tolbert Beadle, we have put together a list of safety features to look for in your next new or used car; these tips come from the trained eye of an auto accident lawyer.

Antilock Brakes and Electronic Stability Control

An electronic stability control system is a direct descendant of antilock brake technology and helps drivers regain control of the vehicle during skids or other dangerous situations. Vehicles with electronic stability control are about 50 percent less likely to contribute to fatalities in single-car accidents.

Adaptive Airbags

Auto accident lawyers have seen airbags evolve in major ways since their debut. Adaptive airbag systems rely on sensors to assess the driver or passenger’s seating position; it also assesses seat belt use to determine an optimal amount of force to deploy the airbag. Additionally, side-impact curtain airbags can provide protection for the occupant’s head and torso in the event of a side-impact collision.

Head Restraints and Seat Design

Seats and head restraints support and reinforce your head and body during an auto accident. Head restraints must be well designed and properly adjusted in order to provide optimal protection from whiplash and other head or neck injuries. Adjust your head restraint to fit comfortably and directly behind your head. Ensure that it doesn’t reach above the top of your head.

LATCH Systems

Any auto accident lawyer will tell you that the toughest cases are those involving injured children. If your car will regularly transport young children, a LATCH system is absolutely integral to your vehicle’s safety profile. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) systems allow for a simple and secure way to attach car seats or booster seats inside your vehicle. These features usually consist of a system of hooks and anchors placed for maximum effectiveness and protection in the event of an auto accident.

Seat Belts with Brake-Locking Mechanism

Locking mechanisms come standard on most vehicles today, but it’s important to check that this safety feature works properly during any test drive. Locking mechanisms engage the seat belt when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop. This is one feature that an experienced auto accident lawyer will never go without — and for good reasons.

Bonus Features Recommended by an Auto Accident Lawyer

Most of these safety features are commonplace these days, but it’s important to check for them during your car shopping experience:

• Daytime running lights
• Traction control
• Emergency brake assist
• GPS/Emergency response
• Rollover prevention

Of course, one of the best safety resources in the event of an accident is a reliable auto accident lawyer. Even the safest vehicles and the most careful drivers aren’t always able to avoid an accident. An auto accident lawyer from Tolbert Beadle is standing by to help when you need it most.