Benefits of Crash Avoidance Technology
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident attorney. Crash avoidance technology has expanded in recent years as a way of helping us stay safe on the road. With the development of new vehicle technologies, some of which will be standard features in 2018, the chances of a serious car accident are expected to be minimized.
What is Crash Avoidance Technology?
The term “crash avoidance” is used to define a wide array of systems and features that assist a motorist in operating a vehicle safely. Automakers have been progressively introducing cutting-edge safety technology aimed towards collision prevention in light of the recent increase in traffic injuries and fatalities caused by motorist error.
Crash Avoidance Technology Study
According to a 2018 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute, crash avoidance technology such as warnings and automated vehicle assistance have significantly reduced the incidence of motor vehicle accidents in recent years. While vehicle automation is still in its early stages, fully automated driving is expected to prevent the vast majority of collisions in the years to come.
Forward Collision Warning
The forward collision warning (FCW) system helps warn motorists of a slower moving or stopped vehicle directly in its path. The system calculates the following distance of the vehicle and gives the driver a warning to take evasive action in the event of an impending accident. This system has been found to reduce the likelihood of:
- Twenty-seven percent of crashes from front-to-rear
- Twenty percent of injury-causing crashes from front-to-rear
- Nine percent of claim rates for property damage caused to other vehicles
- Sixteen percent of claim rates for injuries sustained by parties in other vehicles
Automatic Emergency Braking
The automatic emergency braking (AEB) system will apply the brakes if driver action is not sufficient to prevent an accident. By 2022, this system will be standard equipment on most vehicles according to an agreement between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and car manufacturers. Studies have proven that this system has lessened the odds of:
- Fifty percent of crashes from front-to-rear
- Fifty-six percent of injury-causing crashes from front-to-rear
- Thirteen percent of claim rates for property damage caused to other vehicles
- Twenty-three percent of claim rates for injuries sustained by parties in other vehicles
Lane Departure Warning
The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) functions by sending warnings such as seat or steering wheel vibrations to inform a motorist when the vehicle crosses the lane markings of the roadway. Keep in mind that this system will not engage while a motorist is using their turn signal. LDW systems have shown to have lowered:
- Eleven percent of head-on, sideswipe, and single vehicle accidents
- Twenty-one percent of injuries reported in these same types of accidents
Blind Spot Detection
The blind spot warning (BSW) perceives and alerts a motorist of vehicles that they cannot see traveling alongside their car. This warning works by sending an audible, tactile and/or visual alert to indicate that it is unsafe to conduct a lane change. When the turn signal is on, the system may provide an additional alert to advise the driver of another vehicle in the lane next to them. BSW technology has been found to decrease the occurrence of:
- Fourteen percent of crashes caused by improper lane changes
- Twenty-three percent of injury-causing lane change crashes
- Seven percent of claim rates for property damage to other vehicles
- Eight percent of claim rates for injuries sustained by parties in other vehicles
Rearview Cameras
Rearview cameras are mounted along the rear of a vehicle with a viewing screen offered on the dash to help maintain motorist control and visibility. This feature has diminished the odds of:
- Seventeen percent of backing collisions
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
The rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) system notifies a driver of a vehicle or object that is not within rear camera range but is approaching as they are reversing. This system operates through sensors placed around the rear of the vehicle to detect oncoming traffic from the left and right side. Some systems offered by various automakers may automatically apply the brakes for a motorist to avoid an accident. These systems are useful to have in your vehicle and have been determined to lessen:
- Twenty-two percent of backing collisions
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Despite the many safety advances offered in newer vehicles today, motor vehicle accidents can still happen. When a serious car accident happens, it is normal for an individual to feel stressed and wonder what to do next, especially when mounting medical bills and lost wages are involved. In these types of difficult situations, meeting with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Modesto can be helpful in discussing the options of proceeding with a claim for damages. An experienced attorney can act in the best interest of the injured individual as they recover from their injuries.
Modesto Car Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Modesto car accident attorney. Suffering injuries in an accident can be extremely difficult to undergo alone. If this has happened to you or a loved one, please feel free to contact me any time at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free and friendly advice.
Browse our reviews by our former clients and peers here:
I am listed as a California member of the Million Dollar Advocates, a forum which is open to trial lawyers around the nation who have obtained million dollar case settlements or verdicts for a client.
To learn more about our past cases and their outcomes, go to our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Image Attribution: By “Hannes Eglar” via Unsplash
:ds [cs 968] cv