Universal Electronic Stability Control Should Reduce Gwinnett County Rollover Fatalities
A new era of vehicle safety is on the horizon in which one of the most dangerous forms of vehicle collisions–rollover accidents –may become far less common. As of September 1, 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandate imposing a requirement that all new manufactured motor vehicles be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) goes into effect.
This ESC technology is designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicle and to prevent rollovers involving cars, trucks and SUVs.
The impetus for this change derives from the enormous risk posed by rollover accidents and the beneficial impact of ESC technology in preventing vehicles from overturning. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), rollover accidents are relatively rare but extremely dangerous motor vehicle accidents. Although only three percent of passenger vehicles are involved in rollover accidents, these especially dangerous forms of passenger vehicle accidents account for almost a third of all motor vehicle-related fatalities.
Based on data gathered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), ESC systems cut the risk of fatal single motor vehicle rollover accidents in half. Depending on the type of vehicle, electronic stabilization controls can be even more effective at preventing rollover accidents. The IIHS also reports that ESC systems reduce rollover accidents involving SUVs by 75 percent and passenger cars by 72 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also indicates that almost 15 percent of loss of control car accidents can be prevented by ESC technology.
Whether you are riding in a car, pickup truck, van or SUV, rollover accidents are extremely serious because they may result in vehicle ejections or roof crush injuries. Because of these dangers, electronic stability control prevented more than 2,200 fatalities during a recent 12 month period according to the NHTSA. While ESC systems will not protect vehicle occupants from drivers who are intoxicated, distracted, drowsy or speeding, they can mitigate the seriousness of the collision by assisting drivers in maintaining control of their vehicles.
These stabilization systems utilize sensors that identify situations where a driver is in danger of losing control of a vehicle and rolling the vehicle over. While individual systems may have different features, computerized electronic control systems basically apply the brakes to individual wheels to assist the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle.
When a careless or distracted driver causes a motorists to lose control of his or her vehicle, run off the road or engage in other maneuvers that causes a vehicle to rollover, the at-fault driver may be liable for personal injuries and vehicle damage. Our experienced Gwinnett County rollover accident attorneys are prepared to provide aggressive legal representation whether the accident was caused by a vehicle defect, substandard repair, dangerous road or unsafe driver.
Our Gwinnett County accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates are available to provide effective legal representation to clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.