When you are buying a vehicle in California, you are faced with a choice of whether to opt for advanced safety features. These can make your driving experience safer and reduce the chance that you are in a crash. However, they will add to the cost of a car and make it more difficult to repair if you are in an accident.
The global market for driver systems is rapidly growing
The global market for driver safety systems (ADAS) is growing by leaps and bounds. It is currently over $25 billion and expected to triple by the end of the decade. These systems can include collision warning, lane departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring. The technology keeps advancing each year. Statistically, these safety systems have been shown to lower the number of crashes involving cars that have them. One study documented that claims for bodily injury decrease by 27% in cars with ADAS. Some estimates place the crash reduction as low as 3.5%.
You will pay for ADAS in several ways
ADAS options can add thousands of dollars to the purchase price of your car. You will need to decide whether your budget can accommodate them because there are definite safety benefits. In addition, if you are in a crash, your repair bill will also increase because ADAS options all have expensive sensors. This can increase the cost of auto repairs by up to $3000. As of now, car insurance companies will not give you a credit for these systems for exactly that reason.
Even if you have ADAS in your car, you may still end up injured in an accident. When this happens, you should retain a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer may handle the claims process with the insurance company, providing them with the documentation that they need to pay your compensation. The attorney might also negotiate with the insurance company when their initial offer falls below what is necessary to compensate you for the harm that you have suffered.
