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Last Modified on Apr 05, 2026
In recent years, collision avoidance systems have been installed in more vehicles, especially commercial trucks. While many passenger and commercial vehicles manufactured recently feature various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, they are now more commonly equipped with collision avoidance systems. In Oklahoma, if these devices fail to perform as intended, serious accidents could potentially happen.
Understanding Collision Avoidance Systems in Oklahoma
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are becoming more common in all types of vehicles. For example, many newer passenger vehicles now include parking assistance, such as front and rear view parking cameras, as standard features. Additionally, some vehicles have blind spot monitoring, road sign recognition, and even real-time traffic alerts. Collision avoidance systems take safety a step further by attempting to completely prevent accidents automatically.
While the safety features found standard in most vehicles intend to mitigate the effects of a collision, such as seatbelts, airbags, and crash-resistant vehicle frames, collision avoidance systems aim to prevent crashes entirely. Many of these systems have, so far, reported very good results and have reduced accidents. Some of the most commonly implemented collision avoidance systems in Oklahoma include:
- Forward collision warning systems: This type of collision avoidance system monitors the front of the vehicle and provides visual and/or audible warnings if the system detects a possible imminent forward collision. This type of system can potentially prevent rear-end collisions, which accounted for more than 40% of all vehicle accidents nationwide in 2024, according to the National Safety Council.
- Adaptive cruise control: Cruise control systems can keep vehicles moving at set speeds, alleviating driver strain and helping them control their vehicle more easily. An adaptive cruise control system can automatically adjust a vehicle’s speed when the system detects changes in traffic, road hazards, and other variables.
- Automatic emergency braking: These are advanced collision avoidance systems that can autonomously engage the vehicle’s brakes if the driver fails to react in time to a forward collision hazard.
These are just a few examples of collision avoidance systems. In Oklahoma, these systems can prevent accidents, but only when they perform as intended. Unfortunately, there have been various accidents reported in Oklahoma and throughout the US that have resulted from collision avoidance systems failing to function as intended.
In 2021, the most recent year with crash data available from Oklahoma Public Safety, there were 66,074 vehicle crashes statewide. Of these accidents, 5,575 were commercial truck accidents. Collision avoidance systems are being installed in commercial vehicles more commonly today, and drivers and trucking companies rely on these systems to function correctly. When they do not, manufacturers can face liability for any resulting damages.
What to Do If a Collision Avoidance System Fails?
The attorneys at Fulmer Sill have successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving collision avoidance systems that were defective and/or failed to perform as intended, resulting in serious accidents. If you believe your recent accident resulted from a collision avoidance system’s defect or failure, you may have grounds to file a product liability claim and should hire a collision avoidance systems lawyer as soon as possible.
In a product liability case, the manufacturer of the product in question may be liable for damages resulting from the product’s defect. Alternatively, fault could fall to the party responsible for installing, programming, or calibrating the collision avoidance system. It is also possible for faulty vehicle maintenance to be responsible for the accident. Your attorney can help you determine fault and claim compensation for any damages you suffered.
Ultimately, collision avoidance systems in Oklahoma aim to prevent accidents, but they can only do so when they perform correctly. If you believe you have been injured in an accident because of a faulty collision avoidance system, you need to consult an experienced product liability lawyer as soon as possible. Reach out to Fulmer Sill to learn how we can help with this type of case.
FAQs
How Do Collision Avoidance Systems Work?
Collision avoidance systems work using various systems that aim to prevent collisions. For example, a Forward Collision Warning system uses cameras and sensors to detect whether a forward collision is imminent based on the vehicle’s speed and warns the driver. Automatic emergency braking can automatically engage the vehicle’s brakes if the driver does not do so in time to avoid a collision.
How Effective Are Collision Avoidance Systems?
Collision avoidance systems are generally considered effective for reducing accidents when these systems function correctly. However, there are a few trends highlighting some issues with collision avoidance systems. For example, some of these systems have cameras that struggle to correctly identify motorcycles or smaller road hazards, and some of these systems have trouble maintaining adequate performance at higher speeds.
Who Is Liable for a Defective Collision Avoidance System?
Liability for a defective collision avoidance system usually falls to the manufacturer. However, the party responsible for installing and calibrating the system may be liable for an accident if they did not do their job correctly. If any type of faulty maintenance disrupted the system and prevented it from performing correctly, the party that conducted this maintenance may be liable for resulting damages.
Is a Driver Liable for an Accident if a Collision Avoidance System Fails?
A driver may be liable for an accident if a collision avoidance system fails, but liability is more likely to pass to the system’s manufacturer, the party responsible for installing the system, or the party responsible for programming or calibrating the system. Hire a collision avoidance systems lawyer to help you determine fault if you have been injured in an accident because of a faulty or incorrectly installed collision avoidance system.
Contact Fulmer Sill Today
The attorneys at Fulmer Sill have extensive experience representing injured victims of vehicle accidents and victims of defective products. You should hire a collision avoidance systems lawyer as soon as possible after such an accident to have a better chance of success with your recovery efforts. If you believe you have grounds for this type of case, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma collision avoidance systems lawyer.
