However, as statistics show, no shortage of drivers on the road exists. Distracted driving and over-reliance on new automobile technologies are exacerbating car accidents to previously unseen levels; together, combined with Tesla cars on autopilot, they could represent a recipe for disaster.
The company’s advanced driver-assistance systems and additional information about Tesla Vehicles from other Tesla drivers and accident scene control measures like flares and emergency lights after dark are needed to fully investigate.
Additionally, an illuminated arrow board, flashing lights, flares, and even traffic cones warning of potential traffic hazards may contribute to the known autopilot malfunction.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is investigating why Tesla did not issue a recall after one death surrounding their advanced driver assistance assurance systems.
So far, evidence shows 17 people were injured with one reported fatality since 2014 and 765,000 vehicles later. The family of Walter Huang, the Tesla crash victim who sparked a debate about the company’s Autopilot feature, raised ire over the death.
After a series of incidents in which Teslas in autopilot mode allegedly crashed into police and other emergency crews, Tesla issued a software update that addressed the problem.
But the NHTSA asserts that issuing software updates fixing safety issues using software updates, with formal recall issued violated the agency’s rules. Tesla owners and other human drivers had a right to be notified via a recall involving their traffic-aware cruise control systems.
“Any manufacturer issuing an over-the-air update that mitigates a defect that poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is required to timely file an accompanying recall notice to NHTSA.”
Just because Tesla and other manufacturers may make or install full self-driving software, does not mean they can avoid the law with software updates, forward collision updates, or not!
Hence, in May 2019, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that Tesla was solely to blame for the fatal collision, blaming Apple, CalTrans, the California Highway Patrol, and the NHTSA for contributing negligence. Tesla’s media relations department went on full damage control after the announcement over their autopilot software.
We asked Tesla. What we know so far, is the carmaker claims it IDs beta-test drivers by monitoring their driving and assigning a safety score as part of its self-driving update. But Tesla has not described how the software update was done after a car on autopilot struck a person or object when the driver was not paying attention. Obviously, this is a potential safety risk.
If crashes resulted, NHTSA wants the emergency vehicle and data about the crash scenes.
If you seek to timely file a lawsuit, you must speak to a personal injury or wrongful death attorney before the statute of limitations expires, so act quickly over these potential safety issues.
Tesla’s autopilot system, combined with his diversion to his Smartphone, proved to be Huang’s undoing. The NTSB discovered that the Tesla SUV swerved into a concrete highway barrier at an increasing speed, failing to utilize safety measures or braking systems.
Finally, if Tesla’s autopilot system had been able to keep an eye on Huang’s inattentiveness and sound an alarm, Huang might have been able to regain control of the car and take preventative measures to avoid the collision.
The NTSB’s Chairman Robert Sumwalt identified several problems in the Walter Huang automobile accident:
It might be difficult to determine who is to blame for an accident or loss due to another person’s carelessness. The answer isn’t always simple, as shown by the Mountain View Tesla automobile accident. Many levels of carelessness can lead to agony and suffering from a vehicle wreck.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a vehicle accident, contact an attorney immediately. California car accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to assess your automobile collision, determine who is to blame, and assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Michael is a managing partner at the nationwide Ehline Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC. He’s an inactive Marine and became a lawyer on the California State Bar Law Office Study Program, later receiving his JD from UWLA School of Law. Michael has won some of the world’s largest motorcycle accident settlements. He compassionately helps clients recover after serious injuries.
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633 West 5th Street #2890
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 596-9642
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