Anyone can be in a road accident, regardless of how careful they are on the road. Road accidents can range from minor fender benders to devastating collisions. Among all types of crashes, head-on crashes have a high fatality rate because they generate a huge force of impact.
But here’s the good news: modern vehicle safety features can help you avoid head-on collisions. But how exactly do these features work? Let’s break it down.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane-keeping Assist
It’s easy to collide with oncoming traffic if you drift out of your lane. The lane departure system alerts you when you cross the center line without signaling other drivers. On the other hand, the lane-keeping assist system will return your vehicle to its lane if you don’t react promptly.
Electronic Stability Control System
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) technology can lower head-on collisions by 13% in single-vehicle accidents and 32% in multi-vehicle accidents.
The ESC system detects when you lose control of the vehicle. It then responds by applying brakes to one or more wheels to help stabilize the vehicle and correct its direction. The system is very useful when you’re driving on icy surfaces or roads with many sharp curves.
Forward Collision Warning
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) also does a good job of preventing head-on collisions. The system uses cameras and sensors to monitor the road ahead and identify possible collision threats.
It warns you when it detects that you’re too close to an object or another vehicle. It uses warning signs such as flashing lights, beeping sounds, or steering wheel vibrations. This allows you to react on time by braking or steering away from potential threats.
Automatic Emergency Braking
FCW systems may alert you when you’re too close to another vehicle. But you need to brake quickly to prevent a collision. The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems can perform this task for you.
The system brakes automatically to prevent collisions when you fail to respond quickly or don’t brake hard enough. Some vehicles also come with Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems. These systems enable the vehicle to brake automatically when it senses pedestrians.
Adaptive Headlights
When you reach a sharp bend on the road at night, your standard headlights only illuminate the path straight in front of you, leaving the curve hidden in darkness. If an oncoming vehicle emerges, you have minimal time to respond, leading to a head-on collision.
Adaptive headlights can help you avoid such collisions. These headlights are designed to move in alignment with your steering movements. As such, they illuminate the road in the direction you turn. This enables you to see not only the road directly in front but also around upcoming curves.
Seeing another car sooner allows you to modify your speed and maintain your lane position to avoid a head-on collision.
Auto-steering
Some cars are capable of auto-steering, but that doesn’t mean you should let your car drive itself without controlling it.
This technology assumes control of the steering wheel during specific scenarios to prevent collisions from occurring. It analyzes the environment and adjusts your vehicle’s direction based on its surroundings.
Today’s auto-steering systems function in conjunction with automatic braking systems. Vehicles with auto-steering capabilities activate their brakes when navigating around pedestrians and other vehicles.
Autonomous Cruise Control
Cruise control has been a standard feature in vehicles for many years because it helps make long-distance travel more manageable. Autonomous Cruise Control (ACC) is a more advanced form of cruise control technology.
The system maintains a safe following distance by automatically changing your car’s speed to match that of the vehicle ahead. Some advanced ACC systems work alongside FCW and AEB. These features can identify an approaching vehicle and automatically apply the brakes if you’re closing in too fast, lowering the risk of a collision.
Drowsiness Video Sensor
Some vehicles come with a video sensor designed to keep track of the driver’s face and detect any signs of drowsiness. The system records your behavior and driving habits through its sensors and cameras. It then analyzes the recorded video footage to determine your level of attention while driving.
The system also monitors your eye movements and evaluates their correspondence to your steering wheel. If it senses that you’re drowsy, it triggers alerts, like audible warnings, seat vibrations, or a visual notification on the dashboard. This encourages you to take a break before it’s too late.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication
Self-driving vehicles use Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication to avoid head-on collisions. The system enables vehicles to exchange real-time traffic information and hazard alerts among themselves to prevent collisions.
V2V communication uses GPS technology to determine locations and other sensors to identify nearby vehicles and objects. GPS and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology help vehicles form connections with other vehicles while detecting nearby road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.
This technology could significantly decrease collision rates, particularly in densely populated urban regions where road conditions are unpredictable.
What to Do If You’re in a Head-on Collision in Illinois
Were you involved in a head-on collision in Illinois? Well, you can take the following steps to protect your rights and strengthen your personal injury claim:
Seek Medical Attention
You should seek medical attention immediately after a head-on collision, even if you feel okay. Remember, some injuries might not show immediately after the accident. By seeking immediate medical care, you can catch these hidden injuries before they worsen.
Also, you will need the medical records to act as proof of your injuries if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
Call the Police and File a Report
Illinois law requires that you report accidents resulting in injuries or death to the police. You should contact them even if the accident seems minor.
The police will document what happened in a police report. You can use the police report as evidence when filing a claim.
Collect Relevant Evidence
Collect as much evidence as you can from the accident scene. You can take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and anything else that can help document what happened. You can also ask eyewitnesses to give you their testimony about the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You should contact your insurance company immediately after a head-on collision, even if you’re not sure who’s at fault. The sooner you report the accident to your insurer, the faster they’ll start processing your claim.
Contact Your Lawyer
You want to seek the help of an experienced attorney after a head-on collision. They will guide you through the legal process and negotiate with your insurance company to ensure you’re compensated rightfully.
Safety Features Save Lives
Head-on collisions are among the most severe accidents, but modern safety features give you a fighting chance to avoid them. By keeping you in your lane, warning you of danger, and even taking action when necessary, these technologies are making roads safer for everyone.
Of course, no feature replaces safe driving. Stay alert, follow road signs, and always be ready for unexpected situations. And if you’re involved in an accident, don’t hesitate to seek the help of an experienced attorney.
