Broward, FL- The American public Is distrustful of self-driving cars and a widely publicized fatal crash that occurred in May 2016 didn’t help ease fears of autonomous vehicles. Initially, the cause of the accident appeared to be the fault of his Tesla’s autopilot feature, but a National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) investigation found that the driver ignored his vehicle’s warnings.
NTSB Findings for Tesla Crash in Florida
Last May, an Ohio man was driving his newly acquired Tesla in Florida when he took a left turn into the path of a tractor-trailer. The man was using the auto-pilot feature on his vehicle when the turn was made and the impact occurred. The driver was killed.
Because the accident involved an emerging technology, the NTSB, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated.
The NTSB report did not identify a cause of the accident but they did find that the driver ignored warnings to keep his hands on the wheel. The NTSB also found that the driver made no attempt to turn the wheel, brake or before the crash and was traveling 74 mph in a 65-mph zone.
“Autopilot is by far the most advanced driver-assistance system on the road, but it does not turn a Tesla into an autonomous vehicle and does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility,” a spokesperson for the company said in June 2016 after the crash occurred. Tesla has not issued a statement regarding the NTSB’s findings.
According to USA Today, the NHTSA, who conducted a separate investigation, did not find any problems with Tesla’s self-driving system. Furthermore, the agency found that the Tesla driver should have seen the semi-truck coming seven seconds before the accident and attributed the crash to an “extended period of distraction,” USA Today reports.
Self-driving Autos and Accidents
Self-driving or autonomous cars and commercial trucks are the waves of the future, but they aren’t yet common yet, so there are issues that haven’t been tackled and won’t be for a long time. But when self-driving cars become common, there may be fewer traffic accidents, but there will still be accidents, and they will probably involve multiple self-driving cars. When that happens liability for these crashes will become an issue that will need to be tackled by the courts and personal injury attorneys.
Overcome Liability Issues with an Accident Attorney in Broward
Most accidents in Florida don’t involve autonomous vehicles. Nevertheless, liability can be any problem for any accident victim. Cause and fault are cut and dry in some accidents, but they are not obvious in all cases. If you must overcome any issues with liability, you should retain an accident lawyer in Broward, Florida to investigate, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and, if necessary, build a civil claim on your behalf. USAttorneys.com can refer you to a local lawyer you can meet with and discuss how you can resolve your case with best results.
Source:
Tesla Driver Killed in Florida Crash Ignored His Vehicle’s Warnings
