The History of Car Accident Prevention and Car Safety
Have Car Accident Deaths Risen Over Time?
37,461people died in crashes in 2016. (NHTSA)
14.97%decrease in deaths From 1979 to 2005 (NHTSA)
From 1899 to 2013,3,613,732people have died in crashes. (NHTSA)
In 2015 and 2016, the trend reversed and deaths increased (NHTSA crash stats)
Car Safety Features Over Time
(NHTSA)
1885
Edward J. Claghorn secures the first seat belt patent.
1950
The Airflyte model from Nash Motors is the first American car to have seat belts.
1951
Airbags are invented.
1953
University of Southern California Professor C.F. "Red" Lombard develops and patents the motorcycle helmet.
1956
Ford introduces “Lifeguard” safety features, including dashboard padding, recessed steering wheels and double-grip door latches.
1966
Congress passes the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act that mandates safety equipment on new cars.
1978
Mercedes-Benz S-Class introduces electronic anti-lock braking system (ABS).
1999
The federal government requires driver and passenger airbags in all cars, light trucks, and vans.
2011
Volvo releases pedestrian detection system.
Some vehicles equipped with first adaptive cruise control.
If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in a crash, you can expect the insurance company to call on its team of lawyers immediately. You should act quickly to protect your legal rights, too. Contact the dedicated South Carolina car accident attorneys at Schiller & Hamilton today.
We offer free consultations, and you don’t owe us a penny unless and until we secure compensation in your case.
How Have Manufacturers Worked to Make Cars Safer?
- Blind spot sensors
- Self-braking systems
- Lane-keep assist
- Built-in phone-safety features
- Side impact airbags
- Back-up cameras
Car Safety Issues Now and Future Solutions
- Issue: Driver error
- Possible future solution: Self-driving cars
- Issue: Drunk driving
- Possible future solution: Driver Alcohol Detection Systems (DADSS) (MADD.org)
- Issue: Drowsy Driving
- Possible future solution: Drowsiness Detection Alerts (Mashable)
OUR CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN SOUTH CAROLINA HAS YOUR BACK
We will fight for the full and fair compensation you need to recover from serious crash injuries, taking into account the challenges you face both now and in the future.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Rock Hill, Indian Land, Beaufort, Lancaster, or Bluffton today. We can meet with you at one of our law offices, in your home, or at the hospital – wherever is most convenient.