Despite advances in automobile technology and safety, thousands of drivers and passengers are killed each year in auto accidents on the nation's highways. Forbes reports that despite an increased focus on safety, including sophisticated airbags and other safety systems in modern cars, the fatality rate for automobile accidents has been increasing in recent years. And as the magazine reports, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HDLI) has recently released statistics showing which vehicles, and types of vehicles, best protect their occupants. The information considers the frequency of medical payment claims resulting from car accidents.

In general, larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, better protect drivers and passengers in wrecks. At the other end of the scale, so-called “microcars” and “minicars” had the highest rates. The data ranks safety, from lowest to highest injury rates (based on the HLDI statistics), as follows:

• SUVs
• Large pickup trucks
• Midsize sedans
• Small 4-door cars
• Minicars
• Microcars

Forbes also lists cars having the highest rates of injuries, with the Mitsubishi Lancer having the highest rate of all. These cars, in addition to the Lancer, include the, Kia Rio Hatchback and Sedan, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 200, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla/Scion iM, Chevrolet Sonic, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Yaris/Scion iA.

Some of the safest cars, on the other hand, are pricier sports cars, including the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, and Mercedes-Benz SL.