According to a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cars and trucks with electronic driver assist systems could potentially steer into parked vehicles or other hazards on the road. The report, which looked at vehicles manufactured by Tesla, BMW, Volvo and Mercedes, showed that assisted driving systems could both save lives and cause accidents. The chief research officer of the study stated that it’s imperative for drivers in West Virginia using these systems to pay attention to the road at all times.
One type of test involving two Tesla vehicles showed that the automatic braking system failed to stop in front of a stationary object unless the adaptive cruise control was activated. During road tests, however, the study found that every single vehicle tested failed to avoid hitting a stopped vehicle except for the Tesla Model 3. Despite these problems, the report ultimately showed that the automatic systems did increase vehicle safety overall.
Many of the safety issued covered by the report are also present in the vehicle owner’s manuals. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t read their user manuals before operating their electronic assist systems. Several high-profile incidents have highlighted the limits of the technology and the tendency of drivers to over-rely on them. The IIHS is currently in the process of creating a rating system for these technologies.
Victims involved in car accidents with vehicles that use driver assist systems may be eligible for compensation from the party responsible for the wreck. Accidents like these require careful examination of the evidence, and it’s the responsibility of the victim’s lawyer to make sure their client’s interests are well represented throughout the process. Compensation earned from a settlement or lawsuit might pay for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.