Advanced vehicle safety technology can impact a car accident case because the information helps crash investigators reconstruct the accident scene and determine fault for the crash.
Vehicle Safety Technology
Over the last decade, advanced safety technology has become standard in new vehicles. Each year, new safety features are introduced that prevent or deter vehicle accidents and protect drivers from severe or fatal injuries.
Vehicle crash avoidance systems are not only preventing accidents, they are making it easier for law enforcement and insurance investigators to reconstruct accidents and determine fault. There are over 25 advanced safety technology systems available including:
Automatic Emergency Braking
Through camera-or radar-based sensors in the front of the vehicle, this safety feature detects the distance to the car ahead. As this distance decreases, sensors set off audible warning sounds, flashing lights, or vibrations that signal the driver. If a driver fails to react to warnings, the automatic emergency braking system rapidly slows down the vehicle for a safe stop. Typically, this feature is paired with a forward collision warning feature that scans the road ahead as the driver travels.
Lane Departure Warnings
Lane departure warning systems signal audible or visual alerts when a driver drifts out of a lane. This system detects lane markers and alerts the driver that he/she has crossed those markers by sending warnings to the dashboard or vibrations to the steering wheel or driver’s seat. Chicago car accident lawyers often see lane departure crashes caused by drowsy, distracted, and impaired drivers. Some vehicles have drowsiness features that detect drowsy driving by tracking the number of lane departures within a set time period.
Obstacle and Pedestrian Detection
Sensors mounted in the front and rear bumpers determine the distance between the car and nearby objects, including pedestrians. As a driver gets closer to an object or person, the dashboard sends audible beeps that become faster as the vehicle moves closer as the distance decreases. Continuous beeps indicate a probable collision. Pedestrian injuries in busy or congested city areas are commonly witnessed by Chicago car accident lawyers.
Event Data Recorders
Vehicles with airbags have Event Data Recorders (EDR) that record crash data once the airbag deploys. Data from the EDR, also known as the “black box,” is commonly used as vital evidence by crash investigators. Combined with visible skid marks, point of impact, and vehicle final rest positions, a crash scene can be accurately reconstructed to determine fault for a car accident.
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