Braking Systems Might Not Keep Pedestrians Safe

Pedestrian accidents near traffic intersections and on sidewalks happen all too often. Moreover, new vehicle technology does not always do much to reduce Injuries in the New Jersey area. Even the American Automobile Association, otherwise known as the AAA, has claimed that car braking systems and pedestrian detection systems do not always recognize pedestrians’ presence in time to avoid a serious accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to assert a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the driver of the vehicle that hit you. In some instances, you might also be able to assert a personal injury claim against the car manufacturer on the basis of a defective product. Let the experienced NJ injury lawyers atVacardipane & Pinnisi help you determine if you have a claim and explore any and all legal options on your behalf. Give us a call today or contact us online to learn more about how we could help.

Recent Study

Recent studies have confirmed that car braking systems and pedestrian identification systems on newer vehicles are not as reliable as vehicle manufacturers once claimed and believed. Specifically, these studies confirmed the following:

• That pedestrian detection systems are completely ineffective at night – coincidentally, when many pedestrian accidents occur
• That these systems work better when the pedestrian is an adult (but avoiding a collision only 40 percent of the total times tested and crashing into the test dummy approximately 60 percent of the total times tested)
• That these systems’ effectiveness decreases significantly when the vehicle is moving at a high rate of speed
• That these systems’ effectiveness decreases significantly when the pedestrian is a smaller individual, such as a child – even when the vehicle is traveling at a relatively slow speed

Drivers Should Not Rely on New Vehicle Technology Completely

In reaching its conclusions, the AAA reminded drivers that they should not rely on new vehicle technology completely, that they should constantly make sure that they are aware of their surroundings (especially when the sun goes down), and that they should always use their common sense when driving.

Making a Claim or Filing a Lawsuit

Motor vehicle drivers owe other drivers – as well as pedestrians – a duty of care to operate their vehicles in a safe and careful manner at all times. When they fail in this regard and negligently strike a pedestrian, they may be liable for damages.

Similarly, when a pedestrian accident victim can demonstrate that an accident resulted from defective vehicle technology, he or she might be able to make a claim or file a lawsuit against the car or technology device manufacturer.

Speak to a New Jersey Injury Lawyer Today

If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, let the experienced attorneys at Vacardipane & Pinnisi review your legal matter and provide you with skilled and results-oriented legal representation. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a our  personal injury lawyer, please contact us online to learn more.

Author

Jeffrey W. Varcadipane is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey; a designation given to less than five percent of civil litigation attorneys in New Jersey upon demonstrating an extensive record of trying civil matters to verdict and thereafter passing a rigorous written examination on civil practice.