Autonomous vehicles are under development by a number of auto manufacturers and other companies, notably Google. The promise of self-driving cars is that they will not only be convenient for travelers, but will greatly reduce car accidents. Some reports indicate that wide adoption of driverless vehicles could reduce car accidents by 90 percent, saving 300,000 lives over the course of a decade. These estimates take into account information showing that the use of autonomous driving systems is safer, because computers make fewer mistakes than humans.
Now, however, there is one car accident critics can point to that was caused by a self-driving car. Google made public an accident report filed with the California DMV regarding a February 14 crash involving one of its autonomous vehicles. Google reported that one of its Lexus SUVs was autonomously driving itself on a California street and stopped when it detected sand bags in the road. The vehicle waited for several cars to pass and then merged to pass the sand bags, striking the side of a public transit bus. The human test driver in the vehicle said that he did not intervene because he thought the bus would yield.
Google admitted only that “we clearly bear some responsibility” in the accident. Despite the incident, auto safety experts say that autonomous vehicles are expected to save lives. In 2014, there were 32,675 deaths from car accidents in the United States, and 2,494 in Florida alone.
Top Rated Safe Cars for 2014: Raising the Bar on Safety Standards Every year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ranks cars according to safety features and publishes its findings in a list, “Top Safety Picks,” a ranking that automakers covet. This year, it has toughened its standards in an attempt to get more auto manufacturers to begin using new safety technologies that will prevent crashes....
In a Car Accident in Florida with No Insurance The state of Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. This means that in the event of a motor vehicle accident, each driver’s own insurance policy is responsible for paying damages to the policyholder, regardless of fault. For persons involved in an accident without car insurance, knowing what to do can be frustrating. If you’ve...
2017 Car Accident Statistics in South Florida Car accidents occur every day in South Florida. Some are fender benders and lead to nothing more than scratches, while others result in devastating injuries that completely change the lives of the victims. While many accidents involve two or more cars, some involve only one or a variety of other vehicles present on the road....
Can A Florida Lawyer Prove Fault In A Car Accident When The Police Report Says Otherwise? A Florida lawyer can prove fault in a car accident when the police report says otherwise. Police officers are trained in investigating car accidents and will prepare an official police report regarding the details of the accident in accordance with the Uniform Traffic Crash Report Manual. However, these police reports are not the only source...
Are Car Accident Settlements Taxable in Fort Lauderdale? According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), car accident settlements are not generally taxable in Fort Lauderdale. However, there may be exceptions to this rule. For instance, depending on your situation, the financial recovery you gained from noneconomic losses may be taxable, since they are not observable damages. However, if emotional trauma, for example, did...
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Hit and Run in Florida? You should consider getting a lawyer for a hit and run in Florida, as they may provide several valuable benefits. Following a hit and run accident, you may hire a lawyer to protect your rights and handle your insurance claim or lawsuit. This could ultimately grant you the compensation you need to cover the cost...
Can You File A Lawsuit Against A Rental Car Company For An Accident In Florida? Yes, there are some situations where you can file a lawsuit against a rental car company for an accident in Florida. However, in most cases, the driver of the rental car has accepted responsibility for the vehicle. In these cases, they or their insurance company will be held liable for the car accident, not the...
Can a Side-Impact Collision Cause Whiplash? Yes, a side-impact collision can cause whiplash. When the neck and head bend back and forth beyond their usual range of motion, this soft tissue injury can occur. The Mayo Clinic reports that car accidents are among the leading causes of whiplash. However, these injuries can also be the result of contact sports and assaults....