In this post, our friends from Blaszkow Legal, PLLC discuss the risks of automatic headlights and ways to protect yourself if your vehicle has this feature.
A Convenient Feature With Hidden Risks
For many model years now, cars, trucks, and SUVs have come equipped with automatic headlights. This advance in technology seems to be very beneficial, in that you no longer have to manually worry about whether your headlights are on or not. Takes a load off while driving, right? Doesn’t seem that important, right?
Unfortunately, that is not the case. Automatic headlights, as with any piece of computer technology, still require a human to turn them on and off, and to make sure that they are working properly. Failing to do this can lead to serious accidents, and serious questions about liability when those crashes do actually happen.
How Automatic Headlights Work
Certain automatic headlight settings rotate through the internal computer of the car. During the day, there may be no lights, or only running lights. Then, based on ambient light settings that the car detects, the computer may turn the headlamps on—and some newer models will even automatically put the high beams on if it detects no other light whatsoever. This is a great feature. However, there is a serious flaw.
There are cars, with certain computer models built into them, that will only control the headlights. The computer will not turn on the tail lights unless specifically selected to do so! You may have seen this phenomenon, where a car comes at you on the road with regular headlights, but then after it passes you, you note that there are no rear lights at all!
The Real-World Consequences
Why is this a problem? Well, let’s think about it. You’re driving along, and all of a sudden a patch of rain hits. Before you know it, the rain gets heavier and heavier. If it’s the middle of the day, the headlights are already on, thanks to the computer. You slow down, but you’re still driving. And then, all of a sudden, your car is struck with considerable force from the back! How did that happen?
The car behind you rear-ended your car because they could not see where you were—at least until it was too late. Who is responsible in this instance? You probably think it’s the person who rear-ended the car ahead, and you may be right. But are they the only liable party? In one of the five contributory-negligence jurisdictions, that could be enough for the insurance companies to defeat a personal injury claim!
Headlights Are More Than Just Forward Illumination
Lights on a car do more than illuminate the way ahead. They serve as markers and identifiers for other motorists on the road, so they can see exactly where you are and avoid a collision themselves. If your lights are not on, at night or in inclement weather, you can actually increase the danger of a collision! You never want to be responsible for that.
Protect Yourself And Others
In order to protect yourself, always make sure that your lights are on in rain, fog, or anytime at night. All of your lights—not just the ones that the car turns on automatically.
If you have been injured in an accident, a car, truck, or motorcycle accident lawyer can provide you with legal guidance and support.