Will Self-Driven Cars Really Prevent Accidents From Happening?

Self-driven cars and other autonomous vehicles are expected to arrive on the market by the 2020s. According to a variety of researchers, self-driven vehicles will reduce accidents about 90 percent of the time.
Note that autonomous vehicles differ from some partially automated models. For example, Honda’s early model won’t be autonomous until it reaches a highway. The driver will need to steer the vehicle from his or her home to the highway.
Car accidents are the number one cause of premature and accidental deaths in the United States and across the globe. In 2016, approximately 40,000 U.S. drivers were killed in vehicular accidents.
The top cause of car accidents that result in death is distracted driving. Today’s motor vehicle accidents are most commonly the result of human error. Self-driven vehicles will decrease the amount of human error.
If we own a self-driven car, should we expect the occasional accident?
Yes. Machines aren’t perfect. We should expect motor vehicle accidents. The goal of self-driven vehicles is to reduce the number of accidents by a significant amount.
Google is testing its own potential entry in Phoenix. An autonomous vehicle crash was reported in Tempe, Arizona earlier this year.
In evaluating the crash, no one (human) could’ve predicted the way the vehicle reacted.
In another example, a Tesla driven in Europe predicted a possible car crash and notified the driver. He was able to apply the vehicle’s brakes a few seconds before the crash would’ve taken place.
Autonomous vehicles and self-driven cars probably won’t prevent 100 percent of potential accidents. This makes logical sense. If you own a computer, mobile phone or other computing devices, you know that computers aren’t perfect. However, with a revolutionary technology change, worldview adjustments are necessary.
Job losses for delivery workers, truckers, and taxi drivers are expected. Revenues from traffic violations may decrease. Insurance companies will need to adjust how vehicle insurance premiums are calculated.
Technology has changed the world we live in. Self-driven cars will change a great deal about how we travel. Most vehicle manufacturers will have self-driven vehicles to sell to the public, in some form, within the next 10 years.
Until then, it’s important to reduce distracted driving as much as possible. Don’t text and drive, don’t use a hand-held mobile device when driving, don’t eat or drink when you’re behind the wheel.
If you or someone you love is injured in a motor vehicle accident through someone else’s negligent or distracted driving behavior, contact Lombardi and Lombardi, PA for an initial case evaluation. You may have the right to file a legal claim against the negligent party and his or her insurance company to recover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
 
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.