Best Tech to Help You Avoid a Car Accident

Driver assistance technologies become more advanced with each new series of vehicles introduced to the market. The technology helps prevent or reduce the risk of a car accident. However, many people are unaware of the options available on new vehicles and the best tech they could purchase to help them avoid a car accident.

The Five Best Tech Options to Help You Avoid a Car Accident

Options and technology that you might want to consider for your next vehicle that could significantly reduce the risk of you and your family being victims in a tragic car accident are: 

Collision Warning 

A collision warning system sounds an audible warning when your vehicle is in danger of colliding with another vehicle or object. Collision warning systems available for vehicles include:

• Forward collision warning

• Blind spot warning

• Rear cross-traffic warning

• Lane departure warning

The warning system monitors the vehicle's speed, position, and distance to objects or vehicles. A warning lets the driver know to take immediate action to avoid a collision. However, the systems do not take any action to avoid a crash.

Collision Intervention 

Collision intervention systems detect when a crash is likely to occur and automatically apply the vehicle's brakes to avoid the car accident or lessen the severity of a crash. Collision intervention uses sensors to detect when an object or person is in the way and risks being hit by the vehicle. Examples of collision intervention technology include:

• Automatic emergency braking

• Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

• Rear automatic braking

• Blind spot intervention

With blind spot intervention, the system warns the driver of something in the driver's blind spot. Let's assume the driver ignores the warning and begins changing lanes. In that case, the system automatically applies light braking pressure and might also provide steering input to guide the vehicle back to the original lane.

Driving Control Assistance

This car tech assists the driver by providing automatic adjustments to avoid a collision. Examples include:

• Adaptive cruise control

• Lane centering assistance

• Lane-keeping assistance

The system can provide continual steering to keep a vehicle centered in the lane or gentle corrections in steering to prevent the vehicle from leaving the lane.

Backup Cameras

As of May 1, 2018, all new motor vehicles sold in the United States must be equipped with backup cameras. These cameras show the driver what is behind the vehicle. The driver can see what is behind the car on a small screen on the dashboard. Being able to see directly behind the vehicle reduces the risk of backup accidents and deaths.

Automatic High Beams

Having sufficient light to see the road ahead can reduce the risk of crashes. Automatic high beams switch automatically from low and high beams based on traffic and light conditions. Another common term for this type of car tech is semi-automatic beam switching.

Get Help Quickly After a Car Accident

Crash avoidance technology is only one type of tech designed to make drivers and others on the road safer. For example, automatic crash notification notifies emergency responders a crash has occurred. In addition, it provides them with the vehicle's location.

This tech can be crucial if a driver is unconscious in the accident and cannot call for help. 

Drivers Are Responsible for Their Negligence

Even though a vehicle might have all of the latest tech to avoid car crashes, if the driver acts negligently, the tech may not prevent a car accident. The driver is responsible for operating the vehicle safely. Therefore, you might have the tech in your vehicle, but if you fail to use it or use it negligently, you are responsible for damages caused by a car accident.

Furthermore, the driver owes a duty of care to other motorists and people on the road. Therefore, if the driver breaches the duty of care by failing to keep a proper lookout, the driver could be liable for damages.

Other Features That Can Help Avoid Accidents or Reduce the Risk of Severe Injuries in a Car Crash

In addition to the high-tech options above, many “tried and true” tech options continue to keep people safer on the road. Examples of these types of technology and features include:

• Seatbelts and airbags

• Child safety seats and booster seats

• Roof crush resistance

• Energy-absorbing steering assemblies

• Electronic stability control

• Rollover curtains

• Adhesive windshield bonding

As with other vehicle technology, the driver is ultimately responsible for operating the vehicle safely and following all traffic laws. Beaching that duty of care through reckless, negligent, or intentional acts can result in civil liability for damages if the driver causes a car accident.

Accident victims can talk with a car accident lawyer to determine whether they might have a claim for damages against the other driver involved in their car accident.