Has the Automatic Braking Feature Reduced Car Accidents?

What is the Automatic Braking System?

Before we can understand the full impact of the automatic braking system on rear-end collisions, it is important to understand what the system is and how it works. Automatic braking is a safety technology that automatically activates the vehicle’s brake system by using a sensor input when necessary.

This sensor input inspects for any hazards in the path of the vehicle. When the sensors pick up an object ahead, the system calculates if the speed of the vehicle is greater than the speed of the object it is approaching. If the system reports a significant speed variation, it predicts this is a situation where an accident is likely to occur. The system then activates the vehicle’s brakes without any authorization from the driver to slow the car down before a possible collision. Systems vary from pre-charging brakes to slowing the vehicle to reduce damage. Some advanced systems even completely take over and stop the vehicle before a crash happens.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) points out that automatic braking or “brake assist” is an important part of crash avoidance technologies, including rear-end collisions (the most common type of accidents on the road). IIHS also reports that more than 99 percent of US automakers in the United States have pledged to make automatic braking a standard system in all their vehicles by 2022.

The Impact of the Automatic Braking System Feature

In 2012, one-third of all police-reported accidents involved a rear-end collision with another vehicle as to the first harmful event in the crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believes that advanced crash avoidance and mitigation technologies, like the automatic braking system, could help in this area. The NHTSA’s extensive research on this technology reveals that this technology is in fact capable of avoiding or reducing the severity of rear-end crashes in certain situations.

But what about the accidents caused by the automatic braking feature due to system malfunctions? A false detection may trigger the system to slam on the brakes unnecessarily, which inadvertently causes an accident. Another possible malfunction would be that hazards up ahead may go undetected, thus causing a delayed reaction from a driver who fully relied on the automatic braking system to determine the risk.

As of yet, the automatic braking system is not advanced enough for full compliance, as goes for many other vehicle safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and self-driving. However, brake assist is a huge advancement in vehicle safety technologies and has proven so. According to a new study from General Motors and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, automatic emergency braking with a forward collision alert has reduced rear-end striking crashes by 46 percent.

This safety feature is another barrier that helps protect others on the road from distracted drivers. According to the NHTSA, 87 percent of all rear-end collisions involve some form of distracted driving. Managing Partner, Samer Habbas of the Law Offices of Samer Habbas has represented countless victims among that statistic who have been injured at the hands of a distracted driver.

Case Highlight: Distracted Driving Accident in Santa Ana, Orange County

A backseat passenger in a rideshare vehicle was traveling northbound on the 5 freeway. At around 3:30 am, the vehicle carrying the claimant was rearended by a driver who fell asleep behind the wheel while traveling at an accelerated speed. The claimant was diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc, mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), and an acute meniscus tear of the right knee. The claimant had been examined and treated by multiple specialists, and it was clear that he will continue to do so past the length of this legal claim. Managing Partner, Samer Habbas was determined to recover the damages his client sustained, as well as reparations for lasting trauma. With medical records that present correlating damages, in addition to the defendant’s recorded confession in the police report, liability was concrete. Habbas swiftly tendered the defendant’s full policy limits of $15,000 then pursued an Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claim with the client’s own carrier. The first offer presented by the UIM carrier was $450,000. Habbas knew that his client’s case was worth much more. He got the carrier to raise its offer three times until a final offer was accepted at $850,000—securing a global settlement of $865,000.

Before You Drive, Learn About Your Vehicle’s Safety Features

All good things do come with a warning and caveat – and the automatic braking system in vehicles is no exception. It is important for motorists to be aware of their vehicle’s full capabilities. Some automatic braking systems do not bring the vehicle to a full and complete stop. As such, it is crucial to know the full extent of your vehicle’s features and not to simply assume that this technology will automatically prevent an accident.

Contact an Experienced Orange County Rear-End Accident Attorney

The personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates have extensive experience in handling car accident claims. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an attorney, please call 949-288-2416.

Managing Partner, Samer Habbas of the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates has established his career in helping victims obtain justice from the responsible parties. As a personal injury law firm, Habbas and his fellow attorneys handle a variety of claims: auto accidents, dog bites, elder abuse claims, sexual assault cases, workrelated injuries, slip and falls, and more. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego and Riverside, Samer Habbas & Associates have successfully represented victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, contact Samer Habbas at (949) 288-2416 or contact@habbaspilaw.com.