Car Accident Safety Features
As a result of the
approximate 40,000 fatal car accidents each year, the federal government has steadily increased the required safety features on production automobiles. As it currently stands, there are numerous features such as airbags, and seat belts that are required to meet a minimum safety standard as defined by the government, with many other safety features such as traction control and anti-lock brakes soon to become required standard equipment.
Automobile safety features are generally classified as being "active" or "passive" depending upon how they are actuated.
Active safety features are safety features which are generally controlled by input or involvement from the driver. A perfect example of an active safety feature would be a seat belt. A more liberal interpretation of an active safety feature would be the general handling ability of a nimble sports car in the sense that it can be turned more abruptly in order to avoid an accident.
Passive safety features are those which simply function when necessary and do not require and input from the driver. These can be as straightforward as an air bag or as obscure as the front crumple zones integrated into a steel unibody frame.
Some common examples of safety features found in modern automobiles include:
Driver and Passenger Side Airbags
Side Curtain Airbags
Seat Belts
Traction Control
Crumple Zones
Side Impact Door Beams
Bumpers
Engine Cutoff Systems
Adaptive Headlamps
Anti-lock Brakes
Electronic Brake Force Distribution System
Tempered Glass
Electronic Stability Control
All of these features theoretically work in harmony to either help you avoid an accident or suffer less severe injuries in the event of an accident.
Unfortunately, just like any other manufactured good, the various systems and components that you trust your safety to can malfunction.
These malfunctions can cause an accident or result in more severe injuries in the event of an accident. If you or a loved on has suffered as a result of a safety feature defect or inadequacy, the Dallas personal injury attorneys of Grossman Law Offices can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.
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Questions answered in this article:
Who controls the safety devices?
Can safety malfunctions cause an accident?