What Are Collision Avoidance Systems and Do They Prevent Accidents?

Distracted driving is the leading cause of rear-end accidents in the United States. In 2011, more than 500,000 passenger vehicles were involved in rear-end collisions. In 2012, that number eclipsed 520,000, and over those two years, more than 2,290 people died in rear-end crashes.

Automakers have invested a considerable amount of money into developing technologies to prevent rear-end collisions. One of the more recent and most effective among them is the collision avoidance system (CAS), also called a collision mitigation system (CMS).

In most CAS, a series of front-facing sensors are used to determine the distance between the car and an object in the road ahead. That distance is compared to the speed differential between the car and the object to determine if a collision is imminent. If so, the driver would receive an audible or visual warning, or if the CAS is more advanced, the vehicle would automatically brake.

In 2012, about 11 percent of new vehicles were available with front-crash prevention systems that featured intelligent or automatic braking. According to J.D. Power, that number increased to 27 percent in 2015.

Although the efficacy of these systems has been proven in multiple studies, they cannot prevent all accidents. If you were injured in a rear-end collision that another driver caused, you may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

A Baton Rouge auto accident attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and help you fight for the maximum compensation. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (337) 777-7777.

How Collision Avoidance Systems Work

The front-facing sensors employed in collision avoidance systems emit radio waves. As Safe Driving Systems explains, these radio waves reflect off the object ahead of the vehicle and return back to the sensor. The distance between the car and the object ahead is calculated based on the amount of time it takes for the radio waves to echo back to the sensor.

Some collision avoidance systems use cameras to calculate the distance between the vehicle and the object ahead. The 2016 BMW X3 is available with a camera-only system or a camera-and-radar system.

Do CAS Prevent Accidents?

According to a study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, forward collision warning prevents about 23 percent of rear-end collisions. Autobrake technology prevents about 39 percent of rear-end accidents and reduces injuries by 42 percent.

Unfortunately, no technology exists that can prevent all collisions and injuries. If you were hurt by a negligent driver, you should not have to pay for medical bills, lost income, and vehicle repairs out of your own pocket.

Turn to the experienced legal team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers. An injury lawyer will evaluate your crash, gather evidence, and help you avoid costly mistakes during the claims process. Call (337) 777-7777 today to schedule a free consultation with a Louisiana car accident attorney.