Oklahoma drivers may be happy to hear that Volvo has promised that its vehicles will prevent injuries and fatalities to their occupants by 2020. The Swedish automaker has been tracking the number of injuries and deaths that occur in its vehicles for some time.
Many automakers have begun to add new technologies into their vehicles to make them safer. Volvo in particular has been adding smart features including adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance. Both of these features prevent crashes that could occur if the vehicle in front slows down. If the driver does not respond to warnings, the vehicle can brake to completely avoid the accident or minimize its severity.
In addition to the features Volvo already includes in its vehicles, the automaker has said that it intends to utilize lane assistance. Using cameras, the vehicle would warn the driver if the car started to drift due to the driver being distracted or becoming sleepy. The cameras would additionally be able to identify the posted speed limits and any hazards that may appear on the road, including pedestrians and large objects. When these hazards are noticed, the vehicle would brake to prevent a collision.
Although automakers in general are working to make their vehicles safer, car accidents will continue to be caused by impaired, distracted or otherwise negligent drivers. People who are injured in these types of collisions are often faced with lengthy and expensive periods of hospitalization and medical care, and in many cases they are unable to return to work, further worsening their financial condition. Those who are in this type of situation may find it advisable to have the assistance of a personal injury attorney in filing a lawsuit that would seek compensation for those losses from the at-fault motorist.