The concept of self-driving cars has captured our imaginations for decades, and now, with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), it’s becoming a reality. Tesla, a pioneer in electric vehicles, is at the forefront of this revolution with its AI-powered driver-assistance features. These features, like the automated driver assistant, promises a new era of convenience and potentially, a future with fully autonomous vehicles. However, questions and concerns remain regarding the safety and limitations of these technologies.
This article will delve deeper into Tesla’s AI features, explore their capabilities, and examine the ongoing debate surrounding their impact on the road.
What Self-Driving Technology Is About
The automated driving assistant is software built into cars. This feature is like an airplane’s autopilot mode, where the pilot does not necessarily need to manually drive the plane. It heralds new technology in the car space.
However, it’s important to remember that even with advanced driver-assistance features, accidents can still occur. When car accidents happen, personal injury lawsuits may follow. Understanding how these lawsuits work when it comes to cars with AI features is necessary.
This technology usually handles basic driving, staying in a lane, braking, and changing the car’s speed. Its navigation system also drives the car to the desired destination.
However, this technology still requires the person in the car to be conscious. The car may veer off or head towards a collision course. Further, the self-driving technology may not fully navigate through split-second driving moments that can result in a car accident.
Liable Parties in an Automated Driver Assistant Lawsuit
If you sustain injuries from a car accident resulting from the self-driving mode built into the car, then the manufacturer of the car is liable to the lawsuit. This is because you were not driving the car, and the fault lies with the AI software.
Negotiations and Settlement
Car manufacturers with these AI features will likely want to settle out of court. That is because they do not want a civil case that could jeopardize the sale of their product.
Also, they would not want the public’s attention on their new technology. As a result, these car manufacturers may likely call you to settle out of court. Their ultimate aim is to defend the integrity of their brand. Thus, they will deploy various tactics to achieve their aim.
“Like in any civil case, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff. You should have evidence that points out that the accident was a result of the technology,” says personal injury attorney Walter Clark of Walter Clark Legal Group.
When to File for an Automated Driver Assistant Lawsuit
If you sustain personal injuries in an accident with a car that uses self-driving technology, then you can file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim.
Also, if your family member dies in a self-driving car accident then you can file a lawsuit for a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File for an Automated Driver Assistant Lawsuit?
Typically, two people can file for this type of lawsuit.
- The victim
- The family member if the victim dies in the accident
A Case of Automated Driver Assistant Lawsuit
The most recent and famous case of automated driving assistant lawsuits is the one with Tesla. Tesla settled with the family of a software engineer, Wei Lung Huang.
Huang suffered a terrible car accident that cost him his life in 2018 when he was operating a Tesla car with an automated driving assistant. His family then filed for a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla.
Tesla opted for an out-of-court settlement to maintain good optics for the company and prevent anyone from doubting its self-driving technology.
In this case, the Huang family identified the software failed to have proper navigation as the cause of the accident. Thus, the manufacturer was liable for the accident.
Why You Need a Lawyer
A lawyer will help weigh your case and determine what fair compensation is. A lawyer will also provide resources that will help in proving your case. Always note that the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to provide a preponderance of evidence.
More so, dealing with an injury is not easy for the victims. They need to deal with financial loss and huge psychological issues. They may stress and incur substantial medical bills when treating themselves.
This means they need time to take care of themselves instead of running around trying to prove their case. They also need someone to help them through their journey of recovery.
That is why a lawyer is helpful in such cases. When you bring in a lawyer, it helps you concentrate on your health; you can focus on healing while the legal professional takes charge of the legal tussle.
