Advancing Technology May Help Crash Investigations

February 14, 2013 (Press-News.org) Car accidents are never expected. They interrupt an individual's life and can often result in a great deal of stress and pain. When a car accident happens, an investigation usually takes place, and insurance companies ask questions relating to who is at fault for the accident and why it occurred.

A local accident

Recently in Los Angeles, a person was killed in an accident between a pickup truck and a sedan. Officials arrived about 15 minutes after the accident occurred and found one victim dead at the scene. No other details have been released, but the investigation continues.

Black box technology

A proposed idea that would help investigators of accidents determine what happened moments before the accident is the installation of black boxes in all vehicles. The idea is making its way through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and black boxes may be required in all vehicles within the next few years.

A black box collects data for the 30 seconds that lead up to a crash. No other live data is recorded on the box. Information recorded can include the speed of the vehicle, use of a seat belt air bag deployment and use of breaks. Other sources for data can be recorded depending on the particulars of the individual device. Many people are supportive of the idea and believe that the devices will create safer vehicles that can give feedback to manufacturers and consumers alike.

The main issue opponents of the devices have with the black boxes is their violation on privacy. Some worry that mandated devices would infringe on a driver's expectation of privacy and that police could eventually abuse the devices, using them as a monitoring tool. Such a tool would make it possible for police to know when an individual was speeding or not wearing a seat belt, making it fairly easy for them to issue tickets.

Wrongful death

No matter the safety precautions in place, accidents will continue to happen. Sometimes accidents are the fault of a negligent party who does not comply with give the duty of care expected from that party while on the road. When an injured party involved in an accident dies, the family left behind is changed forever. Legal options exist for family members of those killed by another's negligence in order for them to obtain peace and compensation for their loss.

Wrongful death lawsuits provide families with the opportunity to obtain compensation for several different expenses including pain and suffering, funeral expenses, loss of companionship and medical expenses that were a result of the accident. No amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, but speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney about the accident can provide an opportunity for the family to be supported financially during this difficult time.

Website: http://losangelescaraccident-attorney.com