Car Accident Rate Manual vs Automatic: Which is Safer?

There are two primary types of transmissions that power the cars we drive, and they include manual and automatic transmissions. The vast majority of cars in the United States have automatic transmissions, but if you’re in the market for a new car, you may be wondering which is safer. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place – to help you make the right decision for you. If another driver’s negligence does leave you injured in a car accident, however, it’s time to consult with an experienced Texas car accident attorney.

Manual vs. Automatic

Your car’s transmission harnesses the power generated by the vehicle’s engine to propel its wheels. The faster you’re going, the higher gear you’ll need. While automatic cars do the gear shifting for you, you need to use the stick to shift gears in a manual vehicle.

Manual Transmission

Many driving enthusiasts find that driving a manual (or stick shift) car is simply more fun, and it’s hard to argue with their logic. With a manual vehicle, you operate the clutch and determine when it’s time to shift gears, which means you’re more involved with running the car. The pros of driving a manual transmission break down as follows:

Manual vehicles are generally more fuel efficient as a result of their lighter, less complicated engines. The difference, however, is fairly minimal.
Manual vehicles are typically less expensive, which means the manual version of the car you purchase is likely to be less expensive than the automatic version would be. Further, car repairs and maintenance tend to be less expensive for manual vehicles.
Because fewer people drive manual cars, it can decrease the resale value of yours. If, on the other hand, the car in question is a sport or performance vehicle, the value may increase.
Cars with manual transmissions are less likely to be stolen.
A manual transmission offers you greater control of your vehicle.

It’s also, of course, important to consider the cons of a manual transmission, including:

If you have a long commute with stop-and-start traffic, a manual transmission may not be the best option.
If you’re looking for a manual transmission, there are fewer options out there. In fact, State Farm shares that, in 2019, only 1.2 percent of all new cars sold in the United States had manual transmissions.
Manual transmissions are more difficult to drive, and they are more so if you drive in hilly areas. When you drive a stick shift, there is more thinking involved.

Automatic Transmission

If you drive a car that’s automatic, it means that the car selects the gear that you need to drive in for you – based on your speed and the road conditions. The pros include:

Vehicles with automatic transmissions are easier to drive because they take the question of which gear you should be in out of the question. It’s easier to learn how to drive with an automatic transmission, and they allow you to keep both hands on the wheel the entire time you’re driving (there’s no stick to maneuver in order to change gears).
In heavy traffic, an automatic car adapts more fluidly. When there is a lot of stopping and starting involved, automatic transmissions adapt more smoothly and are generally better prepared to go with the flow.
With an automatic transmission, you have only two pedals to concern yourself with – the brake and the gas.

Now let’s consider the cons, including:

Automatic transmissions are less fuel efficient.
Automatic transmissions are generally more expensive to buy and more expensive to maintain and repair.

Car Accident Rate: Manual vs Automatic

State Farm shares that there is no safety advantage to driving an automatic over a manual vehicle (or vice versa). With an automatic transmission, you don’t need to remove your hand from the steering wheel in order to shift, and a manual transmission requires that you pay more attention to the mechanics of your driving. Ultimately, safe driving comes down to making safe choices behind the wheel, which means following the rules of the road, not allowing yourself to be distracted by your phone or anything else, and proceeding with caution.

While safety should always be the prime concern during driving, the type of vehicle transmission—automatic or manual—doesn’t significantly impact car accident rates. What matters more are the safe driving practices followed by the individual. Keeping your family safe prevents any legal issues from arising as well as mitigates unnecessary risk.

If Another Driver Leaves You Injured

If another driver leaves you injured – regardless of the kind of car you drive – seeking just compensation for the losses (or legal damages) you suffer is the best way to support your fullest recovery. Some of the most important steps you can take to protect your car accident claim and your health include:

You should seek medical attention even if you don’t think you were seriously injured. The aftermath of an accident can be chaotic at best, and some injuries are slow to make themselves known.
Following your doctor’s instructions and advice carefully is a must. It’s what’s best for your recovery, and it backs up your car accident claim.
Consulting with a dedicated auto accident attorney earlier rather than later is always well advised.
Allow your attorney to communicate – and negotiate – with the insurance company on behalf of your claim and best interests.
Take a little break from social media while your claim is pending. You can count on the insurance company watching and waiting for you to post something that it can twist to its own claim-diminishing meaning.

Obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled is the best way to support your complete recovery, and following these basic steps can help you do just that. Further, once you have instituted a lawsuit against the defendant’s insurance company, employing assistance in the form of legal funding by way of car accident loans may prove beneficial during times financial hardship.

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Texas Car Accident Attorney

The practiced Austin car accident attorneys at The Patel Firm have a wealth of experience helping clients like you prevail with compensation that covers their full range of physical, financial, and emotional losses, and we’re on your side too. Your claim is important, and we’re here to help – so please don’t put delay contacting or calling us at 361-400-2036 for more information today.