Automobile accidents claim the lives of over 40,000 Americans each year, making them the number one cause of accidental deaths nationwide. Over 5,500,000 car crashes occur annually, sending millions to the hospital and costing both individuals and states across the U.S. astronomical sums. Researchers are now speculating that in the future, we may live in a world without car accidents, or with at least a radically reduced number of crashes. Cutting edge technologies could save tens of thousands of lives a year and alter the face of personal injury law as we know it. Here is a look at a few new developments in the field of automobile engineering that could bring much needed change to the accident arena:
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication – this evolving technology, known commonly as V2V, is undergoing testing by numerous car manufacturers. V2V technology is best illustrated through the following scenario: imagine you are approaching an intersection with a green light. As you reach the intersection, another vehicle runs their red light and barrels towards you, as you remain unaware of the approaching danger. Your vehicle, however, is well aware and takes action to prevent the crash. It provides you a warning signal then automatically brakes, and notifies the other car as well. While this may seem like science fiction, it is in fact a scenario that will shortly become a reality. V2V enables vehicles to emit and receive information from one another, such as speed, direction, and location. This information will allow all motor vehicles to remain a safe distance from one another. In fact, researchers estimate V2V will reduce crashes by up to 79%.
- Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communication – linked closely to V2V, Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communication, or V2I, allows cars to interact with the environment, including road signs, traffic, pedestrians, and traffic signals. V2I will relay important safety information such as roadblocks or poor road conditions, allowing you to avoid potential hazards. When combined with V2V, V2I communication will decrease accident rates by 81%.
- Self-guided Vehicles – the most technologically advanced and the greatest revolutionary potential lies with self-guided vehicles. Self-guided vehicles are, as the name describes, vehicles that drive themselves. These vehicles learn roadways and communicate with other cars or trucks on the road. They require no input from a person in order to navigate roadways safely. Though it sounds like a thing of fiction, this technology is well along its way in the development process. Google engineers have been tested self-guided vehicles for years in California and Nevada. Self-guided vehicles have the potential to eliminate 95% of all car crashes because they remove the element of human error, which is the largest cause of accidents nationwide.
In addition to saving lives, eliminating many injuries, and slashing financial costs, these emerging technologies in the field of automobiles hold the potential to completely alter the field of personal injury law. Car accidents represent a huge portion of most personal injury attorney’s case loads. While this sub-field of personal injury law may be severely limited, the potential for a rise in the area of defective products exists. Self-guided vehicles, V2V, and V2I technologies all eliminate or limit human error as a cause of accidents. However, accidents may still occur due to failing technologies. More suits against car manufacturers for defective vehicles could occur in coming years.
Since 1936, Barrett Law PLLC has watched and been a part of many changes in the field of personal injury law, particularly automobile accidents. The attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC will provide you with excellence of legal services and unsurpassed skill. We will also take the time you need during your first visit to our office with an overview of your legal options and help you to make informed decisions in your case. Call us today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.