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Collision avoidance systems shown to prevent car crashes

On Behalf of | Feb 15, 2018 | Car Accidents

Many Connecticut drivers are aware that driving can be a dangerous activity, especially as drowsy and distracted drivers are found on the roadways. However, a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that collision avoidance systems like lane departure warning systems and blind spot alerts can save lives.

For the study, more than 5,000 accidents that took place over the course of 2015 were analyzed. The accidents included in the study involved situations that the lane departure and blind spot warning systems were designed to protect against. These were compared to accidents that involved vehicles with the warning alert systems installed. It was found that head-on and sideswipe accidents were 11 percent lower in vehicles that were equipped with the warning systems. Ultimately, it was estimated that more than 55,000 injuries would have been prevented in 2015 if all vehicles were equipped with these two warning systems.

While the study demonstrated that having warning systems in vehicles is important, it also showed that many drivers are actually turning the warning systems off, possibly because the beeping from the warning systems may be too annoying for the drivers. Even further, vehicle manufacturers have been slow to adopt the warning systems; it was found that just 6 percent of new vehicles available in 2017 came equipped with the warning systems.

Even if a vehicle is equipped with lane departure or blind spot alerts, the driver could be held liable for causing a car accident if he or she ignores the warning systems or disables them. Those who suffer brain injuries, broken bones or damage to internal organs may be able to file a personal injury claim against the liable driver. An attorney might represent those individuals by working with the liable insurance company to reach an agreement out of court.

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