While the world is debating whether electric vehicles are a boon or a bane, rising cases of road accidents beg the same question for all automobiles in general. Undoubtedly, a personal vehicle is necessary for easy transportation, especially during emergencies.
By 2022 itself, the US had over 278 million registered personal and commercial vehicles. The modern world with its plenty of advantages would be impossible to imagine without vehicle-enabled transportation of goods and people.
However, road safety should also be at par. Though the fatality rate is under 1%, the US witnesses around 43,000 deadly crashes every year. This is horrifying, to say the least. Any type of road accident often involves injuries, property damage, and a tough legal battle.
In this article, we will focus on the third aspect of car accidents. Thankfully, technology has made the claims settlement process easier and faster. Let’s look at how exactly this has happened.
How Challenging is it to Prove Fault after a Car Accident?
When it comes to commercial truck accidents, almost every case is complex and time-consuming. This may not always be so for car accidents. Some cases can be relatively simple depending upon the type of crash, severity of injuries, and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate.
This does not mean that complex car accident claims and lawsuits are unheard of. Let’s understand this with the help of a relevant case in point. We will take the example of the US city ranked as the ‘most dangerous’ due to unsafe roads – St. Louis, Missouri.
Recently, a teenager named Zachary Gonzalez lost his life in a fatal car accident on the northbound lanes of St. Louis’ I-270. This case was straightforward because it was found that the teenager lost control of their car and hit a huge rock. There were no other vehicles or parties involved.
Suppose the teenager did hit another vehicle. Their insurer would still be liable to cover the losses. In case of no insurance coverage, a claim could be filed against the deceased driver’s estate.
Moreover, the overspeeding was clearly the cause of the event so other drivers would not be held liable. Another incident occurred recently near St. Louis’ I-70.
Two cars were involved in a deadly crash, one driven by a 35-year-old woman and the other by a 24-year-old man. The crash led to the death of a 3-year-old child seated in the former’s car.
Even the other car’s driver sustained severe injuries. It seemed like a clear-cut case since the man ran the red lights at the intersection. Interestingly, it was later found that the child had no seatbelt on. According to TorHoerman Law, cases become complex when multiple liable parties are involved.
Also, all parties may disagree on the facts about the collision. Witnesses may prove to be unreliable or there may be conflicting statements. This is when an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney is needed to ensure justice and fair compensation.
4 Ways Technology Has Revolutionized Claims Settlements
As we mentioned above, car accident claims can be simple or complex. It’s a huge blessing that technology has further straightened out this process. Let’s look at four ways in which this is happening. Some technologies have been with us for decades, whereas others are in their nascent stages.
Smartphone Cameras for Evidence Collection
A car accident claim’s success largely depends upon the evidence found regarding the event. In the past, police officers and judges had to rely on eyewitness accounts or film cameras for photo-based evidence.
Today, this process of capturing images has become a lot more streamlined. With the emergence of smartphone cameras, even individuals involved in an accident or passersby can click photos or record videos. Dashcams have also become widely popular.
They can be mounted on a vehicle’s windshield to record near misses, collisions, and other road activities.
Phone Records for Distracted Driving
In some car accident cases, the driver’s phone records have played a crucial role in determining fault. These records can show whether the driver was texting or having a conversation on call at the time of the accident.
Besides these, it is possible to know if the driver was browsing the internet or streaming videos behind the wheel. It is a scientific fact that the human brain is incapable of processing multiple input sources at once. So, if a driver is caught engaged with their phone during the accident, it’s difficult to argue their way out.
Accident Reconstruction Technology for Clarity
After any car accident, the police want to understand the chronology of events leading up to the inevitable. This is where the importance of accident reconstruction technology comes in. Using this technology, officials can reconstruct the entire event by analyzing data.
This data may come from sources like witness statements, captured images, vehicle boxes, GPS records, and more. The detailed simulations become a visual representation in determining the exact sequence of events. Insurance companies get a means to assess fault objectively. As a result, claims processing becomes smoother.
Telematics for Accurate Claims Processing
This new technology has progressed immensely in the past few years. Combining telecommunications and informatics, telematics facilitates real-time data collection on acceleration, braking, speed, and overall driver performance.
Using such crucial information, the accurate cause of the accident can be discovered. Even insurers can create customized vehicle premiums based on an individual’s driving patterns and adherence to road safety rules.
Without efficient claims handling, it is extremely challenging to manage car accident cases. Hence, traditional paperwork has gone out the window and digital document management systems have become the norm. Additionally, automated claims management software has minimized the chances of human errors.
To sum up, technological advancements have made car accident claims settlement easier. In the future, we may see how technologies further evolve to shorten settlement time and ensure proper justice for the victims.
