What Are the Safest Cars to Drive in 2023?

If you want to know which are the safest cars in the world, you could look at the IIHS Top Safety Pick, Euro NCAP, or NHTSA, but you could also ask a car accident lawyer, and we’ll tell you which brand car is safest. To save time, my answer is Telsa, and the next safest is Volvo.

Which Is the Safest Car Company In the World, Tesla or Volvo?

In previous years, I said Volvo is the safest car in the world to drive. But I now believe Tesla is the safest car of the top two safest car brands to drive on the road when considering protection for the occupants.

Tesla and Volvo may also be the best car brands for avoiding accidents.

As personal injury lawyers in New York since 1991, we have only represented one injured client in a car accident when driving a Volvo, and she didn’t have a serious injury.

We never represented anyone injured in a car accident while in Tesla, but Tesla doesn’t have Volvo’s long history of the safest cars, and Tesla hasn’t been making cars as long as Volvo. However, the videos and information here demonstrate that Tesla is not only one of the safest cars to drive but the safest car.

Tesla may also be the safest car brand to avoid accidents. Watch the Tesla autopilot prevent these near accidents.

Tesla Models Have the Lowest Probability of Injury of Any Vehicle

Tesla Model 3 had the lowest probability of injury of any vehicle ever tested by NHTSA. Tesla’s Model S and Model X still hold the record for the second and third lowest probabilities of injury, making Tesla vehicles the safest ever rated by NHTSA.

Tesla Model 3 2022 received an NHTSA Overall Safety Rating of 5 stars

Tesla Model S 60 KWH 2015 received an NHTSA Overall Safety Rating of 5 stars

IIHS Top Safety Pick+

MIDSIZE LUXURY CAR / 4-DOOR SEDAN

The 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for MIDSIZE LUXURY CAR / 4-DOOR SEDAN is the Tesla Model 3.

MIDSIZE LUXURY SUV / 4-DOOR SUV

The 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for MIDSIZE LUXURY SUV / 4-DOOR SUV is the Tesla Model Y.

SMALL SUV / 4-DOOR SUV

The 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for SMALL SUV / 4-DOOR SUV is the Volvo XC40.

Lower Limb Injury and Safety

The lower leg compartment or footwell is the one area that most auto manufacturers have ignored. Injuries caused by the collapse and compression of the footwell compartment in a car accident often cause leg, knee, ankle, and foot fractures.

A lower limb fracture is a devastating injury that develops into a lifelong disability with pain from arthritis.

Not only do these fractures become a devastating disability, but they usually cost $30,000 to 75,000 for medical treatment. Additionally, leg, knee, ankle, and foot fractures are usually worth $250,000 to $1,500,000 in a personal injury lawsuit.

That costs drivers a lot of money because insurance companies have to pass on the cost of medical treatment and payment of the personal injury settlements for leg, knee, ankle, and foot fractures.

Tesla Footwell Intrusion

The only area the Tesla Model 3 did not get the highest rating was for driver injury of the lower leg/foot, but it was rated A for acceptable.

Volvo Footwell Intrusion

The Volvo XC40 received the highest rating in driver injury for the lower leg/foot. Tesla needs to do some work here. However, the Volvo XC40 did not do as well as Tesla in the side test.

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings

Tesla Model S 2022 received 5 stars
Adult Occupant 94%
Child Occupant 91%
Vulnerable Road Users (Pedestrians) 85%
Safety Assist 98%

Tesla Model Y 2022 received 5 stars
Adult Occupant 97%
Child Occupant 87%
Vulnerable Road Users (Pedestrians) 82%
Safety Assist 98%

Volvo C40 Recharge 2022 received 5 stars
Adult Occupant 92%
Child Occupant 89%
Vulnerable Road Users (Pedestrians) 70%
Safety Assist 89%

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Tesla Model Y Drives Off 250′ – 300′ Cliff in California

This video should convince anyone about the safety of Tesla vehicles!

It’s alleged that the driver of this Tesla Y intentionally drove off a cliff near San Francisco, California, landing on the rocks 250 ft to 300 ft below the road.

The Tesla driver, Dharmesh Patel of Pasadena, California, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse for allegedly driving off the cliff with the intent to murder his wife and two children. See the article at NPR WNYC.

The video from the rescue helicopter shows the rescue

Tesla Model 3 vs. Sycamore Tree

The Tesla Model 3 is apparently crush-proof, at least from this Plane tree (Sycamore tree). The video shows the aftermath after a tree fell on a Tesla Model 3. The car is almost unscathed. The windows are intact, and the driver was able to open the door and get out.

It looks like the driver just had to brush off the leaves and pieces of the tree and get on his way.

tree fell on tesla

Giant Tree Falls on Tesla While Driving

After what happened to my wife’s encounter with a tree in her Mercedes, I think she will want a Tesla, probably a Cybertruck with Tesla Armor Glass. I have two Cybertrucks on order for me, but she wants a Model X.

tree in Mercedes windshield

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What Are the Safest Cars to Fly? Fly Tesla

I fly Delta, but Tesla may be a second choice. It’s a good thing Tesla is a safe car for its occupants because that’s useful after a short unscheduled flight without a flight plan.

The driver of this Tesla was believed to have had a medical emergency when his Telsa flew approximately 85′ through the air when it hit a tree at an altitude of about 20′ and then hit the tops of a few more trees.

The towing company wrote, “From what we were told, the driver seems to be alert with minor injuries.”

This moron may have had a reasonable expectation of serving his flight in a Tesla, but he could have killed someone else and would have spent a few years in prison. One commenter joked that the police said to call the FAA.

Related Articles

Which Is Safer, a Big Old Car or a Small New Car With Safety Features?

Should I Use the Insurance Estimate App to Send a Photo of My Car Damage for an Estimate?

Ultimate Uber and Lyft Safety Tips Guide

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Phil Franckel is well-known in New York and has been a personal injury lawyer since 1989. He is a Founding Partner of 1-800-HURT-911, LLP®, the Personal Injury Dream Team™, and a former Member Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He has an Avvo Top 10  Rating, Avvo Client’s Choice Award with all 5-star reviews, Avvo Top Contributor Award, Multi-Million Dollar Trial Lawyers Award, and others. See Mr. Franckel’s bio for areas of expertise.

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Philip L. Franckel, Esq. is one of the HURT911® Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York; He has a 10 Avvo rating; Avvo Client’s Choice with all 5-star reviews; Avvo Top Contributor; and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

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