Examining the Safety of Autonomous Vehicles

Modern technology has brought sweeping innovations across the landscape that is our lives. Technological advancements have led to amazing changes, and each year brings new awe-inspiring wonders that we can incorporate into our daily lives. One such innovation is the driver-free car. However, since taking to the roadways, driverless vehicles have been involved in more than a dozen accidents. The city of Phoenix allows driverless cars to operate even so, but citizens are growing more concerned about the safety of the roadways with each new autonomous car collision reported in the news. Just how safe are driver-free cars?

The benefits and drawbacks of autonomous vehicles

Although autonomous cars enable people to reach their destinations with little to no human input to the vehicle, the fact is that each driverless car has been designed and programmed by a human, leaving room for human error even though a human is not technically driving the vehicle. Malfunctioning software or hardware is just as much of a concern with autonomous vehicles as fatigue or intoxication can negatively impact human-driven cars. Autonomous cars have both good aspects and bad aspects.

Benefits of autonomous vehicles include:

  • Driver fatigue not an issue
  • Car’s computer can detect and avoid collisions
  • Driver distraction and human error less of a concern

Drawbacks of autonomous vehicles include:

  • Software or hardware malfunction a possibility
  • Not all cars are fully autonomous—humans may miss life-saving cues from the car

Can autonomous cars make the roads safer—or more dangerous than ever?

Although driver-free cars have been touted as miracles on the highway ready to do their part to reduce traffic accidents, the end result has told a different story. While driverless cars may be beneficial in a variety of circumstances—for example, if a would-be driver is too tired, too distracted, or too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle safely—in other instances, autonomous cars have proven to be injurious or even fatal to not only their operators, but also to other motorists and pedestrians on the road.

What to do if you have been injured in a driver-free car collision

Although still somewhat rare, driverless cars are more common in Phoenix than in other parts of the U.S. because of the laws here. If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident involving a driverless car, seek medical help first and then document everything related to your accident (photos of injuries, copies of medical bills, and pay stubs to show lost wages during recuperation from injuries, for example), then contact a car accident lawyer in Phoenix to discuss your legal options.

We can help you with your legal case if you have been in an accident

If you need a car accident lawyer in Phoenix, contact Lorona Mead Attorneys at Law to learn more about your rights as an accident victim. If you want justice for the pain and suffering you endured, our expert attorneys can take on your case and will fight for you in court. As a victim, you may be entitled to monetary damages in the form of financial compensation, and we want to help you get the maximum award. Call today for a free consultation. 602-385-6825