Crash Avoidance Technology Defects
Experienced product liability representation for serious injury cases involving crash-avoidance and driver-assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind spot warnings, and related technology that may fail, malfunction, or be misused before a crash.
When Vehicle Safety Technology Fails
More vehicles now include crash-avoidance and driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and blind spot warnings. These systems can help reduce certain types of collisions, but they do not make a vehicle “self-driving,” and they can fail or be misused. When a serious wreck happens, it’s important to investigate what the vehicle did (and did not) do in the seconds before impact and whether the technology, the driver, or both played a role.
Common Crash-Avoidance Features (and What They’re Supposed to Do)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alerts the driver when the system detects a potential front-to-rear crash.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
If a crash is imminent and the driver does not brake enough (or at all), the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system can apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce the severity of a collision.
Pedestrian AEB (PAEB)
Pedestrian AEB (PAEB) is designed to detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path and brake when a collision is imminent.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) / Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) / Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) warns if the vehicle drifts and/or provides steering input to help keep the vehicle in its lane.
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) / Blind Spot Intervention (BSI)
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) / Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) warns of vehicles in adjacent lanes and may help prevent lane-change collisions by intervening.
Understanding the Limits of Crash Avoidance Systems
Real-world studies have found meaningful reductions in certain crash types for vehicles equipped with front crash prevention features like AEB. While these features are promising, there are still limitations on what they can do, and cannot do, in preventing or minimizing crashes.
I have litigated Crash Avoidance Technology cases in both tractor-trailer crashes as well as passenger vehicles. I have experience and understanding of the performance functions and limitations of the CAT systems.