The term personal injury is a legal one even if it may have personal significance first. According to the Cornell Law School, this injury is an umbrella term for a variety of wounds that affect the victim’s body, emotions, or reputation.
When someone is said to have endured any manner of injury or hurt due to an individual or entity, they can bring the same to the notice of the court. Three different grounds under which claims for personal injury are considered include negligence, strict liability, and intentional wrong or malice.
Some common types of personal injuries include road accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, etc. Technological advancements have had a unique role to play in both the increase and management of personal injury claims.
As oxymoronic as it may sound, the same is true and must be explored. In this article, we will discuss how modern innovations have become the boon and bane of personal injury.
The Contribution of Technology to Personal Injuries
Deep down, we are all aware that increased technological strides bring with them the looming fear of something going wrong. In purely technical terms, it may not seem like a huge problem but the aftermath can be far from trivial.
At least two areas where the proliferation of technology has contributed to personal injuries include road accidents and product liabilities. Let’s look into each in detail.
Automobile Accidents
We cannot dismiss the fact that automobiles in general are a product of modern technology. Society has made a great leap when it forsook horse-driven carriages for motor cars and bikes. The change afforded more speed, convenience, and time-saving benefits.
However, too many cooks spoil the broth just as too many vehicles are spoiling our roads and endangering lives. Studies have found that 22.1% of US households had three or more vehicles in 2022. The numbers could be much higher today. Traffic congestion, parking issues, and accident risks only increase with such statistics.
Let’s take the example of a vibrant city like Colorado Springs nestled in east-central Colorado. Though the city is rife with scenic beauty, it has several dangerous routes, especially along I-25. In general, Colorado drivers are a lot more aggressive than those elsewhere. This can easily turn an advantage into a curse.
In general, Colorado had a record-breaking year (2023) in terms of road accident fatalities. A total of 712 people lost their lives. Thousands more were injured. Even in Colorado Springs, the situation was dire, especially on I-25 which had to be closed in December 2023 due to a fatal crash.
Besides intense physical and emotional suffering, these cases would have required a Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer for victims to seek justice. If the case was complex or involved multiple responsible parties, it could easily stretch for weeks or months.
According to the Springs Law Group, the process often starts with the investigation and proceeds with demand prep, negotiation, and settlement. These alone can take a lot of time but if the insurer does not negotiate, matters may end up before a jury.
This would take a couple of months more. To avoid hassles, lawyers always try to settle matters out of court.
Product Liabilities
This is another area where innovation has been a boon and a bane due to personal injuries. Manufacturers across industrial sectors are constantly innovating their products to make them more useful, affordable, aesthetically appealing, and whatnot.
However, the tech adjustments used to improve the product can backfire. Two areas where product recalls occur frequently are medical devices and baby products. A prime example would be bassinets, otherwise designed for a baby’s sound sleep and parents’ convenience.
The Fisher Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper was recalled due to 30 cases of fatalities. As a result, 4.7 million of these products were taken off of the shelves, Even then, eight deaths occurred after the recall was announced.
The device was originally produced to make parents’ lives easier. However, it was discovered that the 30-degree sleeping angle was so reclined that babies were at risk of suffocation. On the surface, it may seem like a breakthrough in innovation but it endangered the lives of innocent infants.
How the Catalyst of Injury Also Offers the Salve
Now, we must look at the striking contrast – let’s discuss in detail how technology is also beneficial from the viewpoint of personal injury claims.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Technologies like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) make use of algorithms, cameras, and sensors. The collective aim of these technologies is to help the driver avoid road accidents.
For example – automatic braking can prevent intersection and rear-end accidents. Similarly, advanced technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane assist can reduce driver fatigue, enabling them to stay focused on the road ahead.
Other technologies can detect signs of drowsiness in drivers to alert them and direct their attention back to the road. A decrease in the number of accidents would naturally reduce the instances of wrongful deaths and personal injuries.
Claims Processing and Management
Even when it comes to solving the great mystery behind the fault of personal injury cases, technology can help. Those like virtual and augmented realities can recreate the accident scene to understand how events may have unfolded.
They also reveal the extent of the victim’s injuries. Jurors get a better outlook on complex cases as well as the plaintiff’s experience. Attorneys also use case management software to monitor a case’s progress, organize evidence, and manage deadlines.
In a nutshell, technology has helped steer clear of personal injuries as much as it has contributed to them. Even so, can we call this a case of inventing a problem just to develop a solution? No, since automobiles and other innovative products certainly have their revered place in modern life.
Perhaps the need of the hour is to pay as much attention to safety as to the efficacy of new products. Manufacturers must remain transparent in all their dealings, letting the public know when and how there are risks involved.