How Does Technology Affect Automobile Accident Cases?

Without a doubt, technology is having an effect on responsibility and other legal concerns in vehicle accident cases. Recent technology advancements have enabled insurers and vehicle accident attorneys to have a better understanding of what occurred during an accident.

Insurance companies frequently disclaim their client’s responsibility for the accident. Rather than that, they may accuse the plaintiff, the car accident victim, of causing or contributing to the accident. They will claim that the victim is partially or entirely responsible for the victim’s injuries and damages. They may even assert that their client was not the driver.

In these instances, technology can assist the accident victim’s attorney in establishing that the defendant was at fault, including through the use of the following systems:

Vehicle-mounted cameras. Dash cams are gaining traction among everyday drivers, and for good reason. They are extremely successful at establishing or disproving liability in the event of an accident. Additionally, dash cams can be used to protect innocent parties in the event of a lawsuit or to aid in insurance settlement negotiations.

Recorders of event data (EDR). After September 1, 2014, all vehicles made must include a black box, or EDR. These devices store up to 30 distinct types of data that demonstrate what occurred prior to and following an accident. They aid in the reconstruction of an accident and establishing who was at fault. Among the information they collect are the following:

• Vehicle velocities.
• Patterns of vehicle braking.
• Variations in velocity.
• At certain periods of the engine’s life, the throttle is opened.
• Airbag inflator deployment.
• Use of a seat belt.

Certain EDRs may record the driver’s and front passenger’s weights, assisting in establishing who was driving.

What Does the Future Hold for Automobile Technology and Law?

As technologies for enhancing safety and establishing accountability for accidents advance, particularly with the arrival of self-driving vehicles, the world is about to undergo a sea change. Legislators will need to adapt in order to maximize the benefits of technology. They will need to adjust safety and driving laws to protect citizens, particularly as self-driving cars and cell phone use become more prevalent. Laws will also change as a result of technologies that detect drunk driving.

Additionally, insurers and an injury attorney Peabody MA will notice changes in their business practices. Again, self-driving cars have already raised numerous difficulties, including who is responsible for an accident. As attorneys increasingly rely on technology in the courts, their work establishing or disproving culpability will continue to evolve.

Drivers and consumers will also need to adjust to the new environment. They may face new regulations and legislation, altered insurance coverages and expenses, and more assistance establishing liability in their automobile accident claims. They may also experience fewer accidents as a result of vehicle safety technology or more accidents as a result of improper technology use.

The bottom line is that nothing will ever be a substitute for cautious and safe driving. Each driver owes it to others to drive safely. Vehicle technology can assist them in doing so and expose them when they do not.