Many car manufacturers are increasingly making and testing vehicles with advanced technologies that don't need a driver to operate them or that drivers theoretically do not have to drive while sitting in the driver's seat, allowing them to do other things behind the wheel.
According to a recent Forbes study, most drivers don't trust this new technology. The survey found that most people think self-driving cars are more dangerous and cause more car accidents.
So, is this true? Are self-driving cars more dangerous? And if they cause more collisions, why do self-driving cars cause so many accidents? What types of car crashes do self-driving cars often cause? And who's responsible for paying for them? A New Haven car accident attorney from Vishno Law Firm explains.
Americans don't trust self-driving cars
Forbes recently conducted a nationwide survey about people's attitudes toward self-driving cars. The findings were clear – most Americans don't trust self-driving cars and think they're more dangerous. Specifically, the study found that:
- 93% expressed concerns about self-driving cars.
- 81% have never been in a self-driving vehicle.
- 61% would not trust a self-driving vehicle to transport their children or other family members.
- 51% have no plans to own or use a self-driving vehicle within the next five years.
- 29% would pay extra for a self-driving car versus a traditional vehicle.
How dangerous are self-driving cars?
People who expressed concerns about self-driving cars are smart to be worried about these vehicles. Since they first hit the road, self-driving vehicles have been involved in double the number of accidents per mile driven as traditional vehicles.
According to the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, driverless vehicles were involved in 9.1 crashes for every 1 million miles driven. In contrast, conventional vehicles with human drivers were only involved in 4.2 crashes for every 1 million miles driven.
In addition, a 2022 NHTSA Study on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) found that many self-driving car accidents involved Teslas. Specifically, 69.6% of driverless car accidents involved Tesla's vehicles.
Why do self-driving cars cause accidents?
There are several reasons why driverless cars often cause collisions with other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, including:
- System malfunctions—Technological malfunctions can have serious or fatal consequences for self-driving cars. If a vehicle fails to react in a split second, a self-driving car could crash into another car or person due to the slightest technological problem.
- Sensor failures – Self-driving cars have many sensors and cameras designed to identify other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians walking alongside a road or crossing a street. If these sensors fail, a self-driving car might not slow down or swerve to avoid hitting another vehicle or person.
- Driver errors—People in the driver's seat of a self-driving car are supposed to be paying attention at all times and ready to react to any possible danger on the road. Unfortunately, many people in self-driving cars are not paying attention and are doing other things, such as reading, playing video games, watching videos, or sleeping.
- Security threats—News reports of computer hackers tapping into self-driving cars and taking control of them have been common over the years. This is why vehicle manufacturers need to do more to protect the security of the operating system of self-driving cars.
What types of accidents do self-driving cars often cause?
Like other collisions, self-driving car accidents can cover a wide range. Common types of accidents caused by driverless vehicles include:
- Rear-end accidents.
- High-speed accidents.
- Intersection accidents.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Head-on collisions.
Who's responsible for paying for a self-driving car accident?
In many cases, an actual driver is sitting in the driver's seat of a self-driving car and is involved in a collision. As a result, the driver's insurance company is often responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses. This is especially true in Connecticut, which has an at-fault car insurance system. That means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for the accident.
However, if a design defect was to blame for your self-driving car accident, you may be able to obtain financial compensation from the vehicle manufacturer or the company's insurance company. Just be prepared for a tough legal battle since many large corporations are often reluctant to admit wrongdoing and to pay injury victims the money they deserve.
Why should I hire a Connecticut car accident attorney?
Many car accident claims in Connecticut turn out to be complicated legal cases. This is especially true for collisions involving self-driving cars since the technology is so new, and many technical issues are often involved.
A New Haven car accident lawyer at Vishno Law Firm can help you make sense of your legal case. We know what to do because we've been doing this work for years. Our case results speak volumes about our experience, including a $3.91 million verdict in one car accident case.
Technology might change, but hard work still wins legal cases. Get the Connecticut law firm ready to work for you. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Connecticut car accident attorney you can count on in a crisis. Make an appointment at one of our offices in Fairfield or New Haven, Connecticut.