Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and it will not be long before many Florida drivers are sharing the road with vehicles operated by a driverless system. There may be a person in the vehicle, but an autopilot system will make decisions regarding the operation of the vehicle. When these types of vehicles are involved in accidents, there are questions regarding who is to blame.
A tragic accident
A fatal accident involving a Tesla autopilot vehicle has many wondering who or what could be to blame. In this tragic incident, a Florida man was on a call while his vehicle drove him to his destination. He was momentarily distracted, and neither he nor the vehicle registered the fact that the road was ending ahead. His vehicle crashed into an SUV, and the occupant of that vehicle died.
In his moment of distraction while on the phone, the driver trusted that his vehicle would notice any hazards and brake accordingly. Is the driver to blame for taking his eyes off the road, even while using the autopilot function? Is Tesla to blame for the production of a vehicle with a system that clearly still has flaws in its operation?
A complex legal question
The answers to these questions will be critical in the event of a civil claim. Individuals who suffered injuries and financial losses in any type of motor vehicle collision could have grounds to pursue compensation through a civil claim. Claims involving autopilot vehicles are likely to be complex, and a Florida claimant will find it helpful to work with an experienced attorney at every step.