The era of self-driving cars is rapidly approaching. Decades of research into advanced sensors, control, and mapping methods have paid off, and self-driving cars are now on the road. Nevertheless, complete or partial automation begs the question of who is to blame in the event of an Uber self-driving car accident.
Matters are simple in human-operated cars; the driver is responsible since they have authority. But it is not so straightforward when it pertains to self-driving cars. Uber deployed self-driving cars in 2016, and one deadly Uber self-driving automobile collision has happened ever since.
Because the law governing self-driving cars is murky, it is wise to consult with an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney following a self-driving automobile crash.
Statistics On Uber Self-Driving Car Accidents
In 2013, self-driving cars first appeared on public roads. And the manufacturers’ main objective was to create an automated vehicle system, which is more secure than traditional cars. However, it is debatable if this is doable without risking other human lives. This is in the wake of the collisions and fatalities caused by flaws in automated vehicle technology.
Elaine Herzberg, 49, was killed by an Uber driverless test vehicle in March 2018. On that fateful day, the poor woman was trying to cross a dimly lit road on her bicycle in Tempe, Arizona. Following an extensive review, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the car did not recognize Herzberg as a pedestrian. The NTSB’s findings identified numerous safety issues but did not determine the likely cause of the Uber driverless vehicle crash.
Uber’s self-driving vehicle was moving along at the speed limit, whereas the lady was riding her bike across a street without a crossing. Her clothing was also dark in tone. Police arrived at the incident site and declared it an inevitable mishap. Nonetheless, it became evident that the self-driving car also had a real backup driver. Furthermore, an additional investigation revealed that the vehicle did not swerve or slow down prior to the crash. And, shortly before the accident, the safety driver had received instructions to turn off the car’s auto-drive mode.
Whereas automated car collisions had happened before, this was the first one to lead to death. Following the deadly crash, Uber halted the deployment of driverless cars in all states.
Liability Determination
Negligence rules require vehicles to exercise caution and not strike pedestrians even if they cross the roadway where there is no crossing. The conditions of a regular vehicle collision, which produces injuries, determine if the driver is accountable for negligence.
The following were the facts of the 2018 Uber driverless automobile collision, as per the original police report:
- The vehicle was in the far-right lane of the Tempe freeway
- The automobile was moving at the speed limit
- The pedestrian was not using a crossing when she crossed the road
- The pedestrian was dressed in dark clothing
As a result, it can be inferred that no human driver could have responded in time to prevent the incident. It is also possible that perhaps a human driver could have swerved or slowed down to avoid or lessen the collision. Nonetheless, a few days following the crash and prior to filing any suit, Uber reached an unidentified settlement with the pedestrian’s family.
Contact Ponton Law Firm
If you have been in an automobile collision caused by a human or a self-driving vehicle, contact Ponton Law Firm for a free consultation. Our experienced Atlanta car accident attorney is willing to discuss the circumstances of your case and explain your legal rights and options.