You’ve seen them. They’re colorful and cute. Minicars are increasingly popular in crowded California cities where parking is expensive and fuel conservation is smart. Trading safety for thrift and fashion, however, is never a good idea, and recent crash tests prove that most of these small cars offer drivers and their passengers slim protection in a traffic collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently tested 11 new minicars; 10 of them failed a standardized frontal crash test that the Institute has been conducting for years.

Chevrolet’s “Spark” was the only minicar that passed the recent test. Vehicles in the “small car” category, one size larger than minicars, also tested disappointingly. Only 5 out of 17 cars in the small car category passed the standardized frontal crash test. The IIHS test is designed to replicate genuine collisions involving the front corner of a car and a light pole, roadside object, or another vehicle.

Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president for vehicle research, said in an IIHS press release that “Small, lightweight vehicles have an inherent safety disadvantage. That’s why it’s even more important to choose one with the best occupant protection. Unfortunately, as a group, minicars aren’t performing as well as other vehicle categories in the small overlap crash.”

For decades, improving safety was a top aim of auto manufacturers, and safety advocates see the introduction of dangerous cars on the road as a step back. If you’re injured in a collision that involves a minicar, act quickly. You’ll need to contact a good personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney may win compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and more. There are time limits for filing personal injury suits, so if you’ve been injured, speak to a good personal injury lawyer right away. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident involving a minicar – or any other vehicle – call experienced California personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker right away at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California law.