This summer, thousands of parents across Atlanta will be faced with the all-important question -what kind of car to buy their teenager who has just got a driving license. New Jersey personal injury attorney Scott Grossman has a few tips on buying a first car for your child.
In April this year, Consumer Reports brought out its list of the best cars for teen motorists. If you’re a parent looking for a choice of car for your child, this list would be a good place to start. While a car, no matter how safe, cannot insulate you from a catastrophic accident, a well-equipped car with safety features can certainly reduce the chances of you being severely injured if you are in a wreck.
As an Atlanta car accident lawyer, my advice to you would be to buy the safest car you can afford. It’s not easy spending on extra features like Electronic Stability Control systems and side airbags. However if you can afford to, include these features in the car you choose for your child. Electronic Stability Control Systems have been found to significantly reduce the risk of rollovers not just in sports utility vehicles and pickup trucks, but also in sedans. A car with anti-lock brakes will also provide extra protection against an accident. None of these features come cheap, but as Consumer Reports puts it, spending $10,000 extra on these features would still be less than the amount you would spend on a day in the hospital.
However, if you can’t afford to buy a new car with these features, there is no need to worry. Many used cars now come with these features. The Consumer Reports list includes some used car models that you can buy with features that will keep your child safe.
Avoid buying a high-performance car that encourages your teen driver to drive at excessive speeds. The sedan versus sport-utility debate continues to rage as far as safety is concerned. Sport-utility vehicles are bigger, and believed to be more likely to protect occupants in the event of an accident. However, these vehicles are more prone to rollover crashes.
One last piece of advice – take your time before buying a car. Don’t be pressured by the car dealer. Look for information online. You can’t be too careful with the rash of auto safety problems we’ve been seeing over the past 12 months.
Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, dental malpractice, bus accidents, car accident cases and premises injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years. He practices in and around the Atlanta area including handling lawsuits in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Cobb and other counties and nearby cities including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.