Advancements have been made in Crash Avoidance Technology (CAT), systems used in vehicles to provide more safety for passengers and passerby alike. Companies like Uber, Google, and Tesla are implementing more of these systems into their vehicles. Features like forward collision warnings or back-up cameras provide drivers increased warnings to help prevent crashes, but they are not infallible. Some car manufacturers are advertising fully-autonomous cars for sale, but drivers still need to be cautious with these cars.
CAT systems can benefit drivers and provide increased safety, but they are not perfect – drivers still need to be aware of their surroundings and drive defensively. If drivers too reliant on CATs cause an accident, they could be held liable in a personal injury claim. Get help with your car accident claim from an Atlee Hall attorney now.
What Kind of CAT Systems Are There?
As technology continues to advance in the field of vehicle safety, more companies are developing CAT systems to help drivers. These tools are helpful, but only if the driver is paying attention. Some avoidance technologies include:
Front Crash Prevention
Front crash prevention systems help drivers detect vehicles or obstacles in front of your car, using cameras, radar, or lidar to determine if an object is there and how far away it is. These systems can alert drivers of possible crashes or prepare the brakes before they engage, making them more effective. Some systems will apply the brakes for the driver automatically. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these systems are becoming more consistent across manufacturers, thanks to a voluntary commitment from 20 automakers.
Lane Departure Warnings & Prevention
Like crash prevention technologies, these systems use cameras to detect the vehicle’s position in a lane and alert the driver if it is getting close to leaving the lane. In some vehicles, the system will also help steer the vehicle back into the lane. Drivers are often alerted by noise, icons, or haptic feedback.
Detecting Blind Spots
Blind spot detection uses sensors to fill in visual gaps for drivers. They check for other vehicles coming into the driver’s blind spots, showing drivers when a car is next to them but is not visible. Some of these systems use lights, audio alerts, or a combination of the two. A few of these systems can even cause the car to brake or prevent a lane change if they detect a car is present in the blind spot.
Back Up Cameras
Standard on cars since 2014, back up cameras assist drivers as they reverse, providing a wider view than what is available in the rear-view mirror. These features vary, some providing simple guidelines and a view behind the car, while others will force the car to stop completely if they detect an approaching vehicle or obstacle. Some reverse systems will alert drivers when pedestrians or other vehicles are coming or in the way without stopping the car.
What Kind of Limitations do These Safety Systems Have?
While CAT systems are handy and have improved overall safety, they are far from perfect. There could be one factor involved in a crash, or several. Each crash is unique, and while a driver cannot account for everything as they are traveling, there is still a responsibility when they get behind the wheel to be as safe as possible. Some limits to CAT systems include:
- User Error
- Failing to Use the Systems
- Driving While Impaired
- Weather Conditions
- System Limitations
What Happens if CAT Systems Failed?
If you are in a crash with a car that has CAT technology and it failed, you could be able to pursue a defective vehicle claim or a product liability claim. You will need to prove your injuries were caused by the crash and that the CAT technology malfunctioned, contributing to the crash. These cases can be complicated because there are several factors you need to evaluate, like the crash itself, your injuries, who was at fault, and other details connected to the crash avoidance systems. Comparative negligence could be another issue that could affect your case – were you partially at fault for the crash?
Why Should I Call a Auto Defect Lawyer?
Lawsuits involving malfunctioning or defective automobiles are complex. You need to hire professionals who can show how the product should work, what it looks like when they fail, and how that could have led to your damages. Each case can be different, so an auto defect attorney could be necessary to help you sort out the liable parties. These claims depend on the evidence you can gather and the arguments they support. Your attorney will be the one to direct the investigation into your crash, identify who is at-fault, assign damages, and help you argue your case. In many of the crashes involving a malfunctioning system or defective product, the manufacturers will have more resources available. By yourself, you could struggle to defend your position and be bullied into taking a smaller settlement that will not compensate for your true damages.
Involving a personal injury attorney could seem like an unnecessary cost, but they are essential to ensuring you get the justice you deserve. Most personal injury and auto defect attorneys work on a contingency basis – they only get paid if you win a settlement.
Contact Atlee Hall Auto Defect Lawyers Now
When you have been injured in a crash involving a defective collision avoidance system, you deserve representation that is ready to tackle a challenging case. The Atlee Hall, LLP personal injury attorneys are ready to hear your story and fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about your legal rights and options as a victim of a collision avoidance system malfunction, please contact a Lancaster auto defect lawyer at Atlee Hall, LLP today for a free consultation. We have offices in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but help victims across the state.
