The Nevada Department of Public Safety reports over 1,200 serious auto accident injuries in the state every year. You may be carefully following the rules of the road and still be unable to avoid an accident. A reckless driver can cause you and your passengers to sustain serious harm. The many safety features of your car can help protect you from debilitating or life threatening injuries.
Our personal injury attorneys have investigated many car accidents throughout the Las Vegas area. We have seen many cases where a car’s safety features have helped reduce the impact of a wreck. You have the right to pursue damages after being harmed in an accident that was caused by someone else. Do not delay in contacting your attorney if you find yourself in this position.
Contact Oronoz & Ericsson, LLC to discuss your car accident with one of our experienced lawyers. Our firm has helped many families in Nevada, and we can help you understand your options for recovery. Call us today at (702) 878-2889.
Anti-Lock Brakes For Sudden Emergencies
As their name implies, anti-lock brakes do not allow for your car’s wheels to be locked in place when you slam on the brakes. Older brake systems will lock up, and friction between the tires and roadway would be the main force stopping the car and preventing an accident. However, anti-lock brakes can sense in an instant when the wheels are about to lock up, and they prevent this. This feature allows for you to continue to steer while your vehicle significantly reduces speed. While anti-lock brakes can help you avoid a collision, it’s important to note the following about these brake systems:
- They make noise and may vibrate – This can happen when you slam on the brakes in an emergency. Noises and vibrations are normal in these cases since the brake system is working hard to reduce your speed while also avoiding a lock up of your wheels.
- Pumping the brakes can make them lock up – Anti-lock brake systems will often allow the wheels to lock if the driver pumps them while applying pressure.
- Aggressive driving is different than with locking brakes – Making aggressive turns can be very different with anti-lock brakes than with traditional brakes that lock up when slammed by the driver.
Airbags Can Save You And Your Passengers In A Wreck
Airbags were first developed in the 1970s, and became mandatory on new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 1998. These bags fill with gas in a fraction of a second, and they can significantly reduce the force of an impact on a driver or car passenger. Cars in the 1990s started with airbags in the steering wheel and on the passenger’s side dashboard. However, now cars come with airbags on the doors and ceiling as well. These side-impact airbags can save you from horrific injuries in an t-bone crash or rollover incident. Things you should consider regarding your airbags are:
- It still might hurt – There is tremendous pressure in an accident, and airbags fill extremely quickly. While they can save your life, hitting your airbag can still hurt.
- Airbags leave a smokey smell when filled – Airbags have to fill up in a fraction of a second, and they use small explosives to do this. This can result in a smokey smell, but this does not necessarily mean that there is a fire.
- Have a professional inspect airbags after a collision – Deployed airbags need to be replaced by a professional. However, have a professional also check their status after an impact that does not deploy them.
Traction Control Electronic Systems
These systems help you keep control of your car in slippery conditions. Tires lose traction when on water, ice, or even gravel roads. A traction control system will detect when your tires are experiencing poor traction on the road. If this happens, the system will then reduce the power being sent to these wheels in order to reduce spinning. The intended result is that your car has better control than if your wheels continued to spin in situations with poor traction on the road.
It’s crucial for drivers to understand that traction control systems will not prevent hydroplaning. Even with these advanced systems, you may not be able to keep your car stable on very slippery surfaces. Furthermore, it’s important to make sure that your tires are in good working conditions. Traction control, and anti-lock brake systems, become much less effective in cars with worn out tire treads. While an electronic control system can help you better control your car in poor conditions, you still have to take all reasonable steps to avoid an accident.
Seat Belts Are Essential
The best safety features in your car may be the seat belts. Nevada law NRS 484D requires that everyone over the age of six years or weighing over 60 pounds must wear a seat belt while in a moving car. Small children should be in booster seats or child seats that are properly installed in the vehicle. Your seat belt is meant to lock when sudden movement is detected. This can keep you from slamming into your door or the dashboard, and it can prevent you from being ejected after a harm traffic collision. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that seat belts save about 15,000 lives every year in the United States. However, your seat belt will fail to protect you and your loved ones if you fail to wear it.
An Attorney From Oronoz & Ericsson, LLC Can Help You
Devastating car wrecks are unfortunately common in the Las Vegas area and throughout Nevada. Your life can suddenly be turned upside down by an accident caused by a reckless driver. Cars have many safety features that can protect you and your family. It’s important to understand how to best utilize your car’s many safety features. If you happen to be in a wreck caused by someone else, it’s strongly advisable that you speak with your lawyer as soon as possible. Our firm has worked with many injury victims, and we know how important compensation can be.
Contact Oronoz & Ericsson, LLC to speak with one of our car accident lawyers. You can call our office today at (702) 878-2889.