Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are preventing crashes, especially ones with other vehicles and with pedestrians. A 2018 study from J.D. Power shows that new car owners are largely satisfied with the performance of these devices. New York motorists should know that more than half of the respondents said that ADAS helped prevent a crash for them within the first 90 days of having their vehicle.
Blind spot alert, which warns drivers when the sensors pick up vehicles in the blind spot, helped prevent a crash for 49% of respondents. For 42%, the backup cameras and parking sensors were what helped, while 35% gave a nod to their forward collision warning system or their automatic braking.
There are also pedestrian detection and braking devices on the market. Besides pedestrians, the sensors can detect large animals and cyclists, but not smaller animals like dogs or cats. There are also devices that center a car in its lane and that warn drivers against changing lanes without signaling.
Thanks to updated safety regulations and a growing safety-consciousness among shoppers, automakers continue to improve their ADAS. The benefits are hard to measure but real nonetheless. Still, though these systems can prevent accidents, the accidents that do occur are usually more expensive. This is because damage to sensors can itself be costly to repair.
Victims of motor vehicle accidents may be able to file a claim against the other driver’s auto insurance company. If successful, they could be covered for vehicle damage, medical expenses, lost wages and whatever else is applicable. Before they file, though, they may want a lawyer to evaluate their case, measure how much they are eligible for and provide guidance through the negotiation process. If negotiations fall through, victims may have their lawyer take the case to court.