New Google App Detects Accidents

Today’s vehicles are equipped with safety technology, like automatic braking and lane departure warnings, that can help prevent serious car accidents. While extremely effective, these safety features cannot always prevent car accidents from happening. In an effort to ensure that first responders arrive to the accident scene as quickly as possible, Google developed its Personal Safety app, which is designed to keep users safe by connecting to first responders in the event of an accident. This has the potential to save lives, particularly when the driver is unable to call 911.

How the App Works

Once the Personal Safety app is downloaded onto the Google Pixel phone, the app will use a series of features, including the Pixel’s locations, motion sensors, and ambient audio from the microphone to determine when an accident has occurred. If the app detects a crash, it will vibrate and make a loud warning sound saying car crash detected and ask the user if help is needed. If the user does not respond, the Pixel will automatically dial 911 and provide dispatch with the location of the accident.

If the accident is minor, or certain high-impact activities triggered the app to make a false emergency call, the user can select if they are okay on the screen. When this happens, the Personal Safety app will ask what happened and the user can choose either the no crash or minor crash response. This information will help improve the future detection accuracy of the Personal Safety app. The Personal Safety app also offers an emergency sharing feature. This enables users to share a brief, custom message with their current location so that they can notify multiple contacts about their emergency status.

Like any new technology, the Personal Safety app may have the occasional false alarm or make premature 911 calls. The benefits seem to outweigh any minor glitches, however. Considering roughly 40,000 people died in car accidents in the United States in the past year, this app has the capability to save the lives of Google Pixel users who are involved in a serious car accident. According to the Play Store, the app will initially be limited to the United States and to Google’s own line of phones. Ridesharing giant, Uber, launched a similar safety feature called RideCheck, which can detect car accidents and long stops. The Apple Watch also has a similar detection feature, which has been credited with saving lives of car accident victims. As more technologies like these become available to consumers, first responders will be alerted sooner, which means they will be able to help, and potentially save the lives of injured car accident victims.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Secure Maximum Compensation for Car Accident Victims

If you were injured in a car accident, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. As more safety technology becomes available, more serious car accidents may be prevented. Our skilled legal team will determine who is responsible for your injuries and ensure that you receive the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, we represent clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.