Modern cars promise greater safety than ever before, thanks to the Collision Avoidance Technology (CAT) on most new vehicles. Sensors, cameras, and intelligent software systems work together to warn drivers of potential dangers and even take control to prevent crashes. But when these systems fail, the consequences can be devastating.
Anyone involved in a crash can be left facing steep medical bills, lost income, and long-term suffering from accidents that advanced car safety technology should have prevented.
At Bisnar Chase, our personal injury lawyers specialize in holding automakers accountable for defective collision avoidance systems. Our firm has a 99% success rate with over $1 billion recovered for our clients. Our experienced team, led by recognized auto defect expert Brian Chase, will fight for justice in these complex cases.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
- Seek medical attention. If you don’t require emergency attention at the scene, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
- Contact the police and notify your insurance company.
- Collect witness information, take pictures, and secure any other potential evidence, such as dashcam footage.
- Preserve your vehicle, especially if you suspect that a technology failure or auto defect contributed to the accident.
- Contact Bisnar Chase for expert legal advice.
Call (800) 561-4887 today for a free consultation with no obligations. You pay nothing unless we win.
Collision Avoidance Technology Resources
What is Collision Avoidance Technology (CAT)?
Collision Avoidance Technology refers to a variety of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) designed to reduce or prevent car collisions and accidents. These systems go beyond passive safety features like seatbelts and airbags by actively monitoring the environment and stepping in when necessary.
CAT systems use a combination of hardware and software to detect potential hazards, such as other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, road obstacles, and even animals dashing across your vehicle’s path.
When a risk is identified, the system can issue alerts or intervene by automatically braking, steering, or adjusting speed.
Key Components of CAT Systems
The following are some of the key components fitted to most new car models that power collision avoidance technology:
- Radar Sensors: Sensors installed around the car use radio waves to measure the distance and speed of surrounding objects.
- Cameras: Small integrated cameras can provide visual data for object recognition, lane detection, and the reading of traffic signs and road conditions.
- LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): A sophisticated detection and ranging system creates detailed 3D maps and imaging using laser pulses.
- Ultrasonic Sensors: Often used for close-range detection and warnings in parking, reversing, or other low-speed maneuvers.
- GPS and Mapping Data: Real-time information that can help anticipate fixed hazards like upcoming intersections or curves.
These technologies work in real time, processing vast amounts of data through intelligent software to support safer driving.
Common Types of Collision Avoidance Technology Features
Different automakers market their high-tech safety systems under various brand names, but the core functions are similar across vehicles. Some of the most popular CAT systems include:
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
The automatic braking system will detect imminent frontal collisions based on the speed at which the gap is closing between the vehicle and the object in front. It will automatically apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond in time. This is a high-impact feature in reducing rear-end crashes.
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
A collision warning system will alert drivers visually, audibly, or through seat vibrations when a potential front-end collision is detected. It will typically chime and flash a warning on the dashboard.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist
Lane departure systems monitor lane markings and either warn drivers or gently steer the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts across lanes without signaling.
Blind Spot Detection
Blind spot detection systems use side and rear sensors to identify vehicles approaching from the sides. Most cars will flash a warning on the wing mirrors when there is a potential hazard in your blind spot.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
Some sensors extend the vehicle’s awareness to vulnerable road users who are not in vehicles, such as pedestrians and cyclists. It can scan cycle lanes and sidewalks for potential hazards, which can be especially important in busy cities.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
Rear sensors scan behind your vehicle while you are reversing. It will either sound an alert or automatically hit the brakes if a vehicle or pedestrian approaches. This has greatly improved safety in parking lots where vehicles are backing out of spots near pedestrians.
Adaptive Cruise Control
When you set adaptive cruise control, the system will keep your car traveling at a consistent speed without your input on the pedals. But it will also scan the surrounding traffic and environment, automatically adjusting speed and positioning to maintain a safe following distance.
When these systems function correctly, they significantly enhance safety on our roads in California and across the United States. But defects and system failures can turn promised protections into hidden dangers.
The Introduction of Self-Driving Cars
Some people would consider the ultimate form of vehicle safety technology to be a fully self-driving, or autonomous, car. The technology used in CAT systems was the gateway toward self-driving vehicles that depend on sensors and cameras. That technology is now being used every day in the U.S.
At the time of writing, there are no fully automated cars available. But there are plenty with self-driving modes. They include:
- Tesla: The most famous example is Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package. The car drives itself, but requires the driver to be attentive and hold the steering wheel. Tesla’s self-driving mode is controversial and has been associated with several accidents.
- Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes offers a Drive Pilot system on some high-level models. It allows eyes-off driving, but only on slower mapped roads under ideal conditions.
- General Motors: GM has a Super Cruise system for hands-free highway driving on mapped roads.
- Ford and Lincoln: The BlueCruise system allows hands-free highway driving on compatible models.
- BMW: The German manufacturer has a high-level Highway Assistant that allows hands-free driving up to 85 mph.
- Waymo: The company’s robotaxis are completely driverless and are now available in some cities.
None of this technology is perfect, and some have been involved in high-profile accidents. But they are under constant development. It remains to be seen whether automakers can produce self-driving vehicles that can ease regulatory concerns.
The Origins and History of Vehicle CAT
Technology is moving quickly, and automakers are adding new features to their vehicles all the time. But the idea of vehicles that can avoid crashes on their own is not new. In fact, the technology dates back much further than many people know.
1959: Cadillac Cyclone with Prototype Radar
In 1959, General Motors added an experimental crash warning system using radar technology on the Cadillac Cyclone concept car.
The radar system was housed in the vehicle’s nose and scanned the road ahead, issuing a warning light and an audio alert to the driver of imminent obstacles. Engineers even had plans for the system to automatically trigger the brakes.
This technology never made it to production, and it was many years later before it was fully developed. But it was a futuristic precursor to modern systems.
1990: Patents and Demos for Collision Avoidance Systems
Collision Avoidance Technology didn’t take a meaningful leap forward until the early 1990s, when two separate modern forward collision avoidance systems were patented. Even after their invention, they were not added to vehicles.
1992: Mitsubishi Debonair Distance Warning
The third-generation Mitsubishi Debonair introduced a distance warning system in 1992. It used laser-based sensors to scan the road in front of the car and alert the driver if they came too close to any vehicles ahead.
1997: Toyota Celsior Adaptive Cruise Control
The 1997 Toyota Celsior, released in Japan, was the first production model fitted with adaptive cruise control. It used a pulsed laser mounted in the front grille to scan up to 330 feet ahead of the car. The first-generation system could not apply the brakes, but it would disengage the cruise control and could downshift the automatic gearbox to slow the car.
2000: Automatic Braking Systems
Honda was the first automaker to introduce autonomous braking systems on production models.
In addition, the Lexus LS 430 was also released in the United States. Toyota owns Lexus, and the LS 430 was essentially an American version of the Toyota Celsior. It introduced Adaptive Cruise Control to the U.S., and that system was eventually upgraded to include active brake control.
Regulation of CAT
Regulations for Collision Avoidance Technology are now catching up with technological developments.
Many new vehicles come equipped with some form of CAT, and the numbers will only rise. A federal mandate will ensure that automatic emergency braking is standard on all new light vehicles in the U.S. in 2029, and organizations such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have pushed for broader adoption of this technology.
Despite the progress, the 300 million+ vehicles in the U.S. today have a wide variety of safety features. Even when these systems are in place, they are not infallible. Defects and breakdowns create the potential for accidents and liability claims.
How Collision Avoidance Technology Works
CAT systems operate through a continuous cycle of monitoring, processing the information, and taking immediate action.
The scope of its action will depend on the level of technology it is equipped with. But most high-tech vehicles will follow the same steps:
- Detection Phase: Sensors scan 360 degrees around the vehicle, collecting data on speed, distance, and trajectory of surrounding objects.
- Risk Assessment: Software algorithms calculate stopping distances and time to collision based on various factors to determine whether intervention is needed.
- Warning Phase: The system may provide escalating alerts to prompt driver action, depending on the severity of the situation.
- Intervention Phase: If the driver does not respond with appropriate action, the vehicle may automatically brake, steer, or perform other maneuvers to avoid or mitigate any impact.
This all happens in an instant. The idea is that the technology can react before a human could, preventing accidents.
For example, in a typical rear-end accident scenario, the system measures the closing speed to the vehicle ahead. If a collision seems likely, it might first warn the driver. If the driver does not brake, automatic emergency braking may activate to slow or stop the vehicle.
These systems rely heavily on proper calibration and maintenance. Misaligned sensors after a minor collision, software glitches, or environmental factors such as heavy rain, fog, or bright sunlight can all impair the technology’s performance.
The Benefits and Real-World Impact of CAT Systems
Studies consistently show that well-designed and maintained collision avoidance technology can save lives and reduce the severity of car accident injuries.
Automatic braking alone can significantly reduce rear-end crashes. Broader advanced driver assistance systems can contribute to fewer intersection accidents, lane departure incidents, and pedestrian collisions.
These technologies are particularly valuable for:
- Distracted or fatigued drivers.
- Busy, high-traffic areas.
- Highway driving at varying speeds.
- Protecting vulnerable road users.
However, the real danger is that the promise of these systems creates expectations. When manufacturers market these vehicles as being safer or more advanced, there is a tendency for drivers to rely on the technology, pay less attention, and become more complacent behind the wheel.
That’s all well and good, but what happens when the technology fails? Defects and system failures can put people in even greater danger.
When CAT is Involved in Car Accidents
Defects in collision avoidance systems can fall into several categories. They include:
Malfunction or Failure to Activate
The system may fail to detect a hazard due to sensor limitations, software errors, or poor design. This is most common in low-light conditions, inclement weather, or with unusual objects like motorcycles or emergency vehicles that the technology can still misread.
False Activations
In some cases, the system unexpectedly activates, surprising the driver and causing a loss of control. An example of this is phantom braking. When this happens, the brakes can lock in when there is no threat, potentially causing a rear-end collision or dangerous swerving, especially when it occurs at high speeds.
Failure to Warn or Instruct
Manufacturers sometimes provide insufficient information about system limitations, how to use certain systems, how to maintain sensors, or when features can be safely disabled.
Inadequate Performance
Systems may work in ideal test conditions but fail in real-world scenarios due to insufficient sensor range, slow processing, or poor integration with other vehicle systems.
Absence of Available Technology
In some cases, a manufacturer may choose not to equip a vehicle with available CAT features, supporting a “failure to equip” design defect claim.
These issues can all contribute to serious crashes, including rear-end collisions, sideswipe crashes, T-bone collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, and pedestrian accidents.
Your Legal Rights in Collision Avoidance Technology Defect Cases
If a car accident is caused or worsened by faulty CAT systems, those sustaining injuries may have a legal case. Victims of defective collision avoidance technology may pursue compensation through a product liability claim.
Product liability refers to accidents or injuries caused by a dangerous or defective product. The following are some of the elements that can qualify for a product liability claim specifically involving CAT:
- Design Defect: The system had inherent flaws and was unreasonably dangerous as designed.
- Manufacturing Defect: A specific vehicle or system had a flaw that was introduced during production, such as a misinstalled sensor.
- Failure to Warn: Inadequate instructions or warnings about known risks or issues.
- Breach of Warranty: The vehicle or safety system did not perform as advertised.
Successful claims can recover damages for the victims of an accident, or their families in fatal crash cases.
Investigating CAT-Related Crashes
Proving a collision avoidance defect requires specialized expertise. Bisnar Chase works with industry-leading accident reconstruction specialists and engineers to examine impacted vehicles and identify defects and faults.
The investigation process may include:
- Downloading and analyzing the vehicle’s event data recorder. This might be more commonly known as the car’s black box data.
- Testing vehicle systems under controlled conditions.
- Reviewing sensor calibration and maintenance records.
- Comparing the vehicle’s performance against industry standards and crash-test data from industry standard watchdogs.
This thorough approach helps establish that a defect, rather than (or in addition to) driver error, is a direct contributing factor to an accident.
Damages in CAT Auto Defect Cases
We fight for justice in auto defect cases. Successful claims can recover financial damages for the losses that you have experienced due to the accident. These damages can include:
- Medical expenses for any treatment associated with the accident.
- Lost wages for any time missed from work as a result of the crash.
- Projected future treatment and rehabilitation costs.
- The cost of property damage.
- Diminished earning potential if your injuries are so serious that they prevent you from working in your chosen profession.
- Pain and suffering.
The damages are slightly different when the accident is fatal. In these wrongful death cases, the family of the victim makes the claim, rather than the victim themselves. The family can claim for:
- Funeral costs.
- The loss of financial and emotional support.
- The loss of love and consortium.
In cases of egregious manufacturer negligence or misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages form a type of financial penalty designed to punish the at-fault party.
Of course, the benefits of winning an auto defect lawsuit involving collision avoidance technology extend beyond financial compensation.
By holding automakers accountable and exposing dangerous flaws in their safety systems, we can encourage improvements in this technology. In turn, we are actively working to make vehicles and roads safer for everyone.
Why Bisnar Chase is the Right Law Firm for Your Auto Defect Case
With decades of experience and success in personal injury and auto defect litigation, Bisnar Chase stands out as a leader in this field. Our approach includes:
- Personalized attention and guidance from experienced attorneys and our unparalleled support staff.
- Access to top experts in automotive engineering and safety.
- Aggressive negotiation and trial readiness.
- A client-first philosophy with transparent communication.
Our team has an outstanding track record in auto defect and collision avoidance technology cases. We have a 99% success rate with over $1 billion recovered for our clients across nearly five decades in business.
The entire Bisnar Chase team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll of serious accidents, and the injustice felt when the accident is caused by manufacturer errors.
We work tirelessly to secure the compensation needed for a full recovery.
Brian Chase is a Leader in Auto Defect Cases
The Bisnar Chase team is spearheaded by managing partner Brian Chase, who stands as an industry leader in a wide variety of auto defect cases, including collision avoidance technology defects.
Brian regularly handles complex claims against major manufacturers and has educated other attorneys on how to handle and maximize CAT cases.
Our Results in Auto Defect Cases
You can trust Bisnar Chase to maximize the value of your claim. The following are just some of our top results in auto defect cases.
| Award Amount | Case Details |
|---|---|
| • $32,698,073 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $24,744,764 + | Defective Seatback Failure |
| • $14,433,205 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $12,248,000 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $10,200,000 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $7,000,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $6,800,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $6,770,000 | Defective Seatback Failure |
| • $6,500,000 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $6,500,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $6,000,000 | Defective Seatback Failure |
| • $5,830,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $5,500,000 | Auto Product Liability |
| • $5,500,000 | Defective Seatback Failure |
| • $5,500,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $5,000,000 | Auto Defect |
| • $5,000,000 | Defective Seatback Failure |
| • $4,500,000 | Auto Defect - Roof Crush |
Frequently Asked Questions About Collision Avoidance Defect Cases
The following are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding potential collision avoidance technology cases.
How do I know if my vehicle has a CAT defect?
A professional investigation is usually required to determine whether a CAT defect exists. We review police reports, vehicle data, and witness statements, and employ the best vehicle experts to identify any potential defects.
What if the vehicle was recalled? Does that impact legal action?
A recall does not prevent a lawsuit. You may still have a strong claim for any injuries caused by the technology defect. Find out by contacting Bisnar Chase for a free consultation.
Can I still file a claim if multiple parties were at fault?
Yes – if multiple parties are at fault for an accident, you can file a case against multiple defendants. For example, if another driver made an unsafe maneuver and caused a crash, but a CAT system also failed, both parties could be liable. You can also file a claim even if you were partially at fault under California’s comparative negligence laws.
How long do I have to file a claim?
The statute of limitations in many personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. But it can vary depending on the specifics of the case. Contact us as soon as you can to protect your rights and ensure you don’t lose out.
Do I need to pay anything up front?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis to protect you from out-of-pocket costs. That means that we advance the money necessary to win your case, including hiring expert investigators. Our fees are paid as a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving collision avoidance technology, do not wait. Evidence can fade, especially if the vehicle in question is not preserved, and time limits apply. Let Bisnar Chase investigate your case and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We have a 99% success rate, with decades of experience, expertise in auto defects, and over $1 billion recovered for our clients. We are based in Orange County, California, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. Our team handles auto defect claims nationwide.
Contact us at (800) 561-4887 to speak to one of our intake specialists immediately. You can also fill out the secure form on our website for a free case review. We are ready to fight for your rights and look forward to hearing from you.
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
