December 12, 2018
For many people in Philadelphia, improving vehicle safety is a top priority. Car accidents can cause devastating injuries and even take lives, so using technology to make deadly crashes less likely could be highly beneficial. One company is working to develop external airbags that, unlike traditional airbags, sit on the outside of a vehicle. According to tests, external airbags could make crash injuries 40 percent less severe for people in equipped cars.
The company’s external airbags are designed to emerge from the side of a vehicle, essentially expanding the crumple zone of a car after impact. After it has expanded, an external airbag looks like a large pillow or cushion on the side of the car, meant to absorb some of the impact of a side crash. However, there are some technical issues that have kept them from becoming standard equipment. Cars will need to detect a crash before it happens in order for the airbags to have the proper protective impact.
While preventative systems are in place that note sudden driving behaviors, including seat belt tightening, the deployment of an airbag is a far more significant event.
No one wants a car with side airbags that erupt at inappropriate times; they could pose a threat to vehicle occupants and others on the roadway. However, the companies developing the technology say that current advances make the devices more feasible.
While technologies like these can help to blunt the impact of a crash, car accidents are often caused by negligent or dangerous drivers. The results of driving while texting or other careless behaviors can be catastrophic, leading to permanent disabilities. People who have been injured in a car accident through no fault of their own may work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their damages.
