Many people who own vintage or classic cars do so as a hobby. Perhaps they bought a vehicle from the 1950s and restored it themselves. They simply love these types of automobiles and drive them for fun, rather than as a primary vehicle.
The owners of these vehicles need to understand that they are at much greater risk every time they take their vintage car out for a drive. They could suffer very severe injuries in an accident, and their odds of a fatal crash are much higher than if they were driving a modern vehicle. While it is legal to purchase and drive these older cars, drivers need to be aware of the risks.
Lack of safety technology
The issue is that automotive design has advanced significantly over the decades, and older cars lack the safety systems that have been proven to save lives.
For example, modern vehicles have crumple zones designed to absorb and dissipate energy from a crash. Older cars have a more rigid structure, meaning a higher percentage of that energy is transferred to the occupants. Serious injuries are more likely, even if all other factors of the accident are the same.
Additionally, classic cars don’t have the safety systems that are now standard—or at least common—on new vehicles, such as backup cameras, multiple airbags, lane departure warning systems, blind-spot monitoring systems and more. These cars were built before this type of safety technology was invented, which increases the likelihood of accidents.
Have you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by another driver? Make sure you know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.
