Google Pixel series phones have many unique features, but one hidden feature saved the life of a man stuck in an overturned carCar Crash Detection may seem niche, but for Reddit user u/postnospam ( real name Chuck Walker), it was a valuable feature

The incident occurred in late November when Walker's Bobcat loader rolled off a ledge into a small ravine Walker was seriously injured, unconscious, and his vehicle's exit was blocked Fortunately, his Google Pixel 4 XL detected the collision and called 911

According to Walker, had the car collision detection not been activated, it would likely have taken several hours before he was found He was already "deep" on private property and no one expected him to return anytime soon Thus, he could have been at risk of hypothermia or a fire caused by a Bobcat fuel leak

In addition, Walker broke seven ribs and four thoracic vertebrae in the middle of his spine in the accident While not life-threatening, they remain serious injuries, especially if one is trapped alone in an overturned loader for several hours

However, when the Pixel 4 XL rushed to the rescue and Walker regained consciousness, he was already on the phone with a 911 dispatcher Rescue crews were dispatched and arrived on the scene only minutes later

Do you have a Pixel phone? Then it's worth making sure it's turned on This feature is available on the Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a, allowing you to get the help you need without being in your car

Car Crash Detection is available in the US, UK, and Australia, but is disabled by default Therefore, to turn it on, one must go undercover on the phone

First, head to the Pixel's "Safety" app and find the settings menu From there, select the Car Crash Detection option and turn it on

For the app to work properly, several permissions must be enabled, including microphone and location The system uses location information, motion sensors, and ambient audio to detect collisions

When the Pixel detects a crash, it will vibrate, sound an alarm at maximum volume, and ask if you need help If there is no response, it will call emergency services and give them information about the crash and your location

This is something you never think about until you need it If you are like Walker, you may be skeptical of sacrificing privacy for an extra phone feature, but in this instance, the potential benefits certainly outweigh the costs