If you’ve been in a car crash, you may be shopping for a new vehicle once you’re ready to drive again. Maybe yours is beyond repair or perhaps you just feel the need for a car that can help prevent you from being hit by a negligent driver.
Either way, one advantage of getting a newer model is that they include a number of features that can help improve your awareness of your surroundings. Some of these crash avoidance systems can even “step in” automatically to help protect you. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Forward collision warning system: These have sensors that keep track of speed and distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. They will alert you if they sense an impending crash. Some also have an autonomous braking feature that will apply the brakes if necessary.
Blind-spot detection system: You should always look in your mirrors and over your shoulder before you change lanes. However, this feature warns drivers via a blinking light in their side-view mirror (or other type of alert) if there’s another vehicle approaching in the adjacent lane that may be in their blind spot.
Lane-departure warning system: This will alert you if it senses that you’re starting to veer toward the edge of your lane or if you drift into another lane. Some systems will even automatically turn your wheels or apply the brakes slightly to help keep your car in its lane.
These are just a few of the systems that are either standard or can be included on newer model vehicles. While none of them are meant to replace being a defensive driver, they can and have prevented crashes.
If you’re dealing with injuries and other damages from a crash caused by another driver, be sure to seek the compensation you need and deserve. An experienced attorney can work to help ensure that you get it.