Though some drivers in Texas and across the U.S. are looking forward to self-driving cars and a future of zero accident fatalities, the vehicle safety tech seen today is already helping to save lives. J.D. Power has a study out showing that more than half of new car owners were able to avoid an accident in the first 90 days of owning their car thanks to technology.
The new safety tech goes by the name of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and includes devices like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning systems. There are even sensors that can alert drivers to pedestrians, bicyclists and large animals. ADAS are available for vehicles of all sizes and price ranges. All new vehicles are required to have backup cameras at least.
In the study, 49% said that the blind spot alert was what helped prevent a crash in those first 90 days. Next, 42% said the same for backup cameras and parking sensors while 35% said it for either forward-collision alert or automatic emergency braking.
While automakers continue to provide new and improved ADAS, they often call the devices by different names, which can cause confusion. One downside to this tech is that while it prevents accidents, it increases the cost of those that do occur.
The cost of new sensors is just one thing that the victims of a motor vehicle crash may be able to seek compensation for. They may have incurred injuries, so they will want to be reimbursed for past and future medical expenses. They may even lose their job due to the injuries. All of this could form the basis for a personal injury claim. Victims may wish to see a lawyer for assistance, especially when it comes to proving another driver’s negligence.
