Are Pedestrian Detection Systems Accurate at Night?
Modern cars and trucks are increasingly being equipped with safety features that just a few years ago would have been considered futuristic. Among these innovations is technology that allows vehicles to detect pedestrians in the roadway. According to AAA, however, these systems are not nearly as effective regulators and car manufacturers claim. In fact, AAA said that all four of the pedestrian detection systems they evaluated were ineffective at night – exactly when a full three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities happen.
The vehicles and systems the organization tested included a 2019 Toyota Camry with Safety Sense, a 2019 Tesla Model 3 with automatic emergency braking, a 2019 Honda Accord with Honda Sensing, and a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu with Front Pedestrian Braking.
While the systems tended to perform better during the day, they only were able to avoid a collision 40 percent of the time in broad daylight when the vehicle was moving at 20 miles per hour. In addition, there was an 89 percent of the vehicles hitting a child who darted out from between two cars at 20 miles per hour, and none avoided a pedestrian when making a right turn at 15 miles per hour.
Pedestrian Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
When motor vehicles collide with pedestrians, the results can be devastating for the people on foot. In many cases, victims sustain extremely serious injuries, including those that can leave them with long term medical issues or disabilities. Some of the more common injuries that pedestrians sustain in traffic accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dislocations
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic amputations
Fortunately, in many instances, pedestrians are entitled to compensation for their injuries under Tennessee law. Consequently, anyone hurt in a pedestrian accident should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Nashville right away.
Protecting Your Rights after a Pedestrian Accident
If you or a family member has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, there are certain things you should do to protect your rights. The most important of these include:
- Call 911 – it’s critical that your injuries are identified, treated, and well-documented
- Make sure that you stay off of social media after your accident; the things you post could be used against you by the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Seek medical attention and follow all of your doctor’s treatment advice
- Do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance company or the driver before talking to a lawyer
- Contact an experienced attorney as soon as you can
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Nashville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you have been hurt in an accident that you believe was caused by a negligent driver, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as you can. At Bednarz Law, we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and are committed to helping injured victims get the compensation they deserve. Call us today at (615) 590-7276 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Nashville.