Car Accidents to Decline Thanks to Technology

New technology is likely to make cars a lot safer and could significantly reduce certain types of accidents, according to a recent report.

Car collisions have skyrocketed by as much as 30 percent over the last seven years, analysts at Bank of American Merrill Lynch calculate. The rise of cell phone use behind the wheel is largely to blame, but some are concerned that marijuana legalization could also be putting more intoxicated drivers on the road, Barron’s reports.

Still, a Bank of America analyst told Barron’s that he expects crash volume to return to the lower levels seen prior to 2011. That’s thanks largely to enhancements in collision avoidance technology.

Crash Avoidance

New cars are increasingly coming with beefed up crash avoidance tools. That includes sensors that inform a driver when the car is veering outside of its lane or nearing contact with another vehicle, as well as blind spot detection, adaptive headlights that adjust to steering moves and elevation, and autobrakes that can stop a collision before it happens.

Crash avoidance technology can decrease the likelihood of an accident by as much as 40 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Distracted driving causes some 3,500 deaths and nearly 400,000 injuries per year, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show. Smartphone use is a leading cause of the distraction: NHTSA says nearly 500,000 drivers use their phones while operating a car every day.

Legal Protections for California Car Buyers

All of the greatest safety technology in the world isn’t much help if it’s not working properly. Unfortunately, many cars roll off the factory floor or dealership lot with significant defects that can put people’s lives at risk.

The California Lemon Law forces car makers to repair various defects and other problems with the vehicle while it’s under warranty. If repair efforts don’t work, the manufacturer is obligated to compensate owners covered by the law for the purchase price and/or down payment and financing charges, as well as other expenses like car rentals, towing and repair costs. The manufacturer may also offer to replace the car instead.

The law applies to both new and used vehicles.

How Our California Lemon Law Attorneys Can Help

If you’re a California car owner with a defective vehicle, it’s important that you consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights and options. The California Lemon Law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.