Are Drivers Overly-Confident in Safety Technology?

Each year, auto manufacturers introduce new models of vehicles, boasting all new and improved safety technology. One highly advertised safety system is a vehicle’s ability to sense an obstacle and hit the brakes if the driver fails to do so to prevent a collision. Many drivers rely on this automatic braking system, expecting it to keep them out of an accident.  

However, AAA recently published the results of a study that showed that these systems are not as effective as you might think when it comes to pedestrians. The experiment involved pedestrian dummies moving in front of four different popular auto models for 2019 – the Chevrolet Malibu, Tesla Model 3, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. All four vehicles have proprietary auto-sensing and braking systems. 

AAA determined that all of the systems have weaknesses and failures in certain circumstances, including:

• Trouble detecting smaller pedestrians
• Failing to stop when the car is traveling at higher speeds
• Not stopping when encountering a pedestrian after a right-hand turn
• Failing to detect pedestrians at night

The trouble is that the above are some circumstances involved in serious pedestrian crashes. 

Pedestrian Collisions in Austin

Pedestrian accidents can happen in many situations. Even if a pedestrian is crossing the street at a crosswalk with a “walk” signal, a driver may not be paying attention and may fail to yield when turning, leading to a collision. Pedestrians can get hit while on the sidewalk, walking through parking lots, and much more. The chances of an accident increase when it is dark and when the pedestrian is a child and more difficult to see. 

Pedestrians have no safety protections when hit by a car, and they often sustain multiple traumatic injuries. Such injuries can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Skull fractures
• Fractured pelvis or ribs
• Other broken bones
• Internal injuries

A pedestrian crash can turn your life upside-down in a matter of seconds. You may be hospitalized and require medical care for months. Some people may need rehabilitative treatment to get back to work or begin engaging in their regular activities again. Some pedestrian injuries are permanently disabling, and accident victims may never work again and may have to adjust to a completely different lifestyle. 

The losses from a pedestrian crash can be extensive, including medical bills, lost income, permanent injuries, and pain and suffering. It is important to have a personal injury attorney in Austin evaluate who might be held liable for the accident and your losses. 

Drivers cannot simply rely on safety technology to avoid hitting pedestrians. Instead, they must always pay close attention to the road at all times. If a distracted driver hits a pedestrian because the auto-braking technology failed, the driver should also be held responsible for being distracted.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Austin Right Away

The Austin personal injury lawyers at the law firm of TK Injury Lawyers, represent pedestrian accident victims after serious injuries. Call (512)-910-2000 or contact us online for your free consultation about a possible case.