A system for adjusting a height of a first road vehicle with respect to the ground
prior to impacting a second road vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a predictive
crash sensor mounted to the first vehicle for sensing the second road vehicle,
a control unit, and a height adjustment apparatus. The control unit is in communication
with the predicative crash sensor for receiving a predictive crash signal and determining
whether the first and the second road vehicles will collide. The height adjustment
apparatus is mounted to the first road vehicle and in communication with the control
unit. The height adjustment apparatus includes a shock absorber, a bladder, and
a first valve. The shock absorber is mounted at a first end to a vehicle body of
the first road vehicle and at a second end to a vehicle axle of the first road
vehicle. The bladder is fixed at a first end to the first end of the shock absorber
and at a second end to the second end of the shock absorber. The first valve is
in fluid communication with the bladder for releasing fluid stored in the bladder
upon the issuance of a crash signal sent by the crash unit.