Modern vehicle technology has made driving safer and more efficient, with advanced features like adaptive cruise control designed to assist drivers and reduce the risk of collisions. But when these systems malfunction, misread the road, or simply don’t react fast enough, they can trigger a violent car or truck accident that changes lives in an instant.
Despite the promise of “hands-off” convenience, adaptive cruise control has raised serious safety concerns in recent years — especially on highways crowded with 18-wheelers, oversized loads, and vehicles traveling at high speeds. We’ve seen cases where a driver has milliseconds to react before an avoidable rear-end crash or chain-reaction pileup unfolds because the technology failed to do what the automaker said it would.
At Zehl & Associates, we’ve won Billions for accident victims, including the largest verdicts and settlements in Texas and U.S. history involving defective onboard technology, system malfunctions, and preventable crashes. When a company puts profits ahead of safety and people get hurt, we hold them fully accountable and fight for the record-breaking results our clients need to rebuild their futures.
Read on to learn how adaptive cruise control works, why it can go terribly wrong, and how our undefeated car accident attorneys can help protect your rights and secure maximum compensation after a catastrophic crash.
What Is Adaptive Cruise Control?
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an advanced driver-assistance system that automatically adjusts a vehicle’s speed based on surrounding traffic conditions. Unlike traditional cruise control, which maintains a constant speed, ACC uses sensors and cameras to detect vehicles ahead and adjust speed to maintain a safe following distance.
This traffic-aware system can slow the vehicle in congested conditions and accelerate back to a preset speed when traffic clears. Many ACC systems also include stop-and-go functionality, allowing the vehicle to come to a complete stop and resume movement automatically in slow-moving traffic.
While adaptive cruise control is now standard or optional in many newer vehicles, it is not without limitations or risks.
Known Issues With Adaptive Cruise Control
Despite its intended safety benefits, adaptive cruise control has been associated with various malfunctions and operational concerns. In some cases, these issues have contributed to vehicle recalls and serious car accidents.
Commonly reported problems include:
- Sensor failures: The sensors that this technology relies on may fail or malfunction, especially in poor weather. This can cause the ACC to stop functioning or to miscalculate distances.
- Unexpected acceleration: Some drivers with ACC have reported that their vehicles suddenly accelerated for no apparent reason. If the driver isn’t careful, this could lead to rear-end collisions.
- Unexpected braking: Other drivers have reported that the vehicle unexpectedly brakes, which can also lead to collisions.
- Adaptive cruise control temporarily unavailable: The system may be temporarily unavailable, which can catch drivers off guard if they usually rely on the technology.
- Adaptive cruise control not working: Sometimes, the system suddenly stops working without providing any alerts to the driver.
If these issues contribute to a motor vehicle accident, they could have implications for liability.
Who Is Responsible for Accidents Caused by Adaptive Cruise Control?
Various parties could potentially be liable for accidents caused by adaptive cruise control, such as:
- Drivers with ACC: Some drivers rely too heavily on adaptive cruise control and delay taking action, expecting the system to respond in dangerous situations. Distraction or inattention can still lead to liability, as vehicle technology does not eliminate a driver’s responsibility to remain alert and in control.
- Drivers without ACC: Drivers without adaptive cruise control may contribute to accidents through unsafe behaviors such as speeding, impaired driving, or reckless conduct. The absence of driver-assistance technology does not excuse negligent driving.
- Manufacturers: If adaptive cruise control malfunctions due to defective sensors, software errors, or design flaws, it may brake or accelerate improperly, leading to collisions. In these cases, manufacturers may be held liable for accidents caused by defective systems.
Accidents involving adaptive cruise control often raise complex questions of fault. Liability may involve drivers, manufacturers, or a combination of both, depending on how the system functioned and how the vehicle was operated.
Contact a Dedicated Houston Car Accident Lawyer Today
Adaptive cruise control can improve safety, but it does not replace driver attention or guarantee error-free operation. When the system malfunctions or is misused, accidents can occur, and liability may involve drivers, manufacturers, or both. If you were injured in an accident involving adaptive cruise control in Houston, Texas, Zehl & Associates can help.
An experienced Houston car accident lawyer from our law firm can review your case, help you understand your rights, and guide you through the legal process of demanding fair compensation for your injuries. Our team is undefeated and relentless in demanding maximum compensation for our clients.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
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Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
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