Japanese automaker Subaru is known for its mass produced four-wheel drive automobiles. The company is also known for its success in the World Rally Championship. The company's foray in the sport may be known for the stint of the legendary Colin McRae in the team. But recently, Subaru opened eyes in the auto industry after a Subaru Forester saved a driver's life.

Matthew Scott, 28, of Anchorage Alaska was involved in an accident on his Subaru Forester and he credited the vehicle for saving his life. Scott said that he does not remember much about the potentially fatal accident. He is now recovering from his injuries to the head and torso. Doctors though are confident that Scott will make a full recovery.

The victim said that he bought his 2003 Subaru Forester compact crossover SUV for its safety features. He said that he feels that his choice of a vehicle paid off. With safety features in place, the Subaru Forester protected Scott adequately.

The crossover owned by Scott looks as if it was what Robert Kubica was driving at the Canadian Grand Prix. The crossover is totaled after it was hit on the side by a car driven by a man trying to elude the authorities. By looking at the crushed Subaru Forester, it is hard to fathom how Scott was able to survive the crash. The crossover is a complete wreck with its Subaru engine parts scattered around the area of the accident.

Scott though did not walk away unscathed from the accident as his spleen was removed due to extensive injuries. His stomach and his back also received punishment as the impact totaled his crossover. Although he may have suffered such injuries, Scott and Lt. Steven Hebbe of the Anchorage Police Department both think that Scott is still lucky.

"Could have been much worse," said Hebbe which Scott would no doubt agree with. "It looks like he hit the front of the Subaru on the driver's wheel, and to the front of the vehicle. If he'd hit square into the driver door, you know, I think we could have seen a fatality of that driver as well," added the lieutenant.

According to Scott, he bought the car for its safety features, most especially for its side curtain airbags. Although a side curtain airbag is not enough to protect a vehicle's occupant from serious injuries, it appears that it was enough to save Scott's life during the accident.

Subaru Sales Consultant David Donahue said that Scott's thinking when he bought the Forester is few and far between among auto buyers. "It's still something that's really being used more as a sales pitch," confided Donahue. "You don't get very many customers coming in saying, 'Hey, I want to ensure that the vehicle I'm purchasing has side curtain air bags."

Side airbags have been available on mass produced cars for over ten years now. Sadly though, it was only a few years back when automakers made them standard or optional equipments for their vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 45 percent of vehicles for the 2007 model year are equipped with head and chest side impact airbags as standard equipments. Ten percent of the 2007 model year vehicles offer these safety features as optional features meaning consumers would have to shell out more for the extra protection. Sadly, 21 percent of 2007 model year vehicles are still not equipped with any form of side impact airbags.