Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Car Headlights Test Reveals Potential Safety Hazard

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When driving at night or during inclement weather that causes impaired visibility, one of the first things you do is turn on the car’s headlights. You probably don’t even think about whether the headlights are powerful enough to keep you safe. In fact, a recent study shows that it is likely that they are not powerful enough, putting you and other drivers that you come in contact with at risk for being involved in a car accident.

Surprisingly, according to the study, the cars that received the worst rating were some of the more high-end vehicles such as the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 Series. The car that received the highest marks was the Toyota Prius. The cars were graded by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIIHS).

The IIHS, which only just recently started testing headlights, has determined that 330 feet on a straightaway is a safe minimum distance that headlights should reach to illuminate. Dozens of mid-sized cars models were tested and the only model that met the criteria was the Toyota Prius. The BMW 3 Series, which comes equipped with halogen headlamps, scored the worst with its headlight low beams only reaching 130 feet.

While it is important for cars to have safety features that protect drivers if they are in an accident, it is just as, if not more, important for the car to be equipped with safety features that can help prevent a wreck from happening at all. Establishing safety standards when it comes to proper headlight power is an important step in protecting drivers and providing improved safety features in all vehicles.

When it comes to headlights, the safety standards have not been updated for years. Considering the fact that there is a variety of car makes, models and designs, the headlights should be customized to fit the car and provide the proper power. Unfortunately, automakers typically install whatever looks good and not always the safest option. The bar needs to be raised so that the standard headlights that come equipped with a vehicle are powerful enough to provide the proper lighting when visibility becomes an issue.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Victims Injured in Car Accidents Caused by Weak Car Headlights

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, our Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are on your side and will work hard to seek the maximum financial compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent injured accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.