Drivers in Colorado may have looked into Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as a way of improving their safety on the road. A 2018 study from J.D. Power shows just how beneficial such technology can be. Over half of new car owners who participated in the study said that ADAS had helped them avert a collision before even 90 days had passed with their new vehicle.
The most widely cited device was blind spot alert with 49% crediting it with crash prevention. This was followed by backup cameras and parking sensors (42%) and either automatic emergency braking or forward collision warning (35%).
Most of these devices are an optional add-on. Automakers continue to charge for blind spot alert, for example, because drivers are willing to pay for the benefits so clearly attached to it. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has, however, mandated that all new vehicles in the U.S. be equipped with backup cameras.
Other examples of ADAS include pedestrian detection and braking. The sensors can detect not only pedestrians but also bicyclists and even large animals. This, of course, excludes dogs and cats. Drivers can also enhance their vehicles with adaptive cruise control, lane centering devices and lane departure warning systems. Sensors are expensive, though, and can increase the cost of any accidents that occur.
When negligence is behind a crash, those who are injured through little or no fault of their own may want to speak with an attorney who works in auto accident law. Those who are partially to blame may still recover damages, though the amount will be proportionate to that degree of fault. An attorney might be able to strive for the maximum settlement possible when negotiating with the defendant’s auto insurance company. As a last resort, victims may litigate.
