Not everyone is willing to give up such power. Self-driving cars are safer than vehicles operated by humans? What are the legal implications if autopilot fails?
Consult a Hartford car accident attorney if you have been in an accident involving a robot vehicle. Their compassionate lawyers can help you to seek justice and compensation. You may need to hire a lawyer to help you with cases involving self-driving vehicles.
Are self-driving cars safer than those with human drivers?
This has been a hotly-debated topic in recent years. The debate will only intensify as more people adopt autonomous vehicles. The technology used by self-driving cars is a mix of different technologies to safely transport their human passengers from A to B. A complex system of sensors, cameras, radar and AI (artificial Intelligence) is used to achieve this. AI is useful as it constantly learns about the surrounding vehicles’ behaviour and can predict their movement.
Although the purpose of a self driving car is clear, sometimes it requires human interaction. Drivers may eventually become obsolete as technology improves, but they are still an important part of driving. Who is to blame if a self-driving vehicle collides with another vehicle?
The Benefits of Self-Driving Cars
Self-driving vehicles have many other advantages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3,000 people die each year as a result of distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reports that distracted driving causes nearly 425,000 injuries. In theory, self-driving cars should reduce these numbers, if all vehicles were equipped with the technology.
The Cons Of Self-Driving Cars
While AI and other technologies that go hand in hand with autonomous vehicles are improving, they still haven’t reached the point of perfection. All technology is susceptible to breakdowns and malfunctions. It is very accurate at predicting the behavior of vehicles in close proximity, but a complex traffic scenario or rapidly changing weather conditions could be too much information for too little time.
Security is another issue that self-driving vehicles face. Hackers could hack some autonomous vehicles, making their occupants vulnerable. Hackers are always looking for ways to exploit the weaknesses of self-driving cars.
Who is responsible for an accident caused by a self-driving car?
The history will show who is at fault in accidents between self-driving vehicles and those with human drivers. The manufacturers of autonomous vehicles insist that drivers must remain vigilant to ensure safety. Tesla was found not liable in 2018 for one of its self-driving cars that crossed a median.
Currently, the driver is still responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of their vehicle. The courts view vehicles with self-driving abilities as a collaborative effort between the driver and the technology, despite their bells and whistles. Each collision involving an autonomous vehicle is unique; however, in general the driver will be held responsible.
What to do if injured in a crash with a self-driving car
If you can prove you weren’t negligent, and that the accident was caused by a self-driving vehicle, then the courts will be in your favor. This does not mean that you can seek compensation on your own. Accident claims are complex, but those involving a self-driving car have more nuances than other accidents.
Working with a car accident attorney who has experience is essential if you want to receive the maximum compensation. Your case may quickly be lost without their legal and negotiating expertise. You should never try to get compensation without an attorney.
Safety, Collisions and Self-Driving Vehicles: Final Words
Are self-driving vehicles safer than cars with human drivers? The jury is still out. It could be some time before an official verdict is made. Legally, it is almost always the driver of the vehicle who causes an accident that is found at fault. Manufacturing defects in self-driving vehicle technology could be an exception. Guilt will be determined on a case by case basis.