Yes, Tesla’s self-driving feature can cause accidents due to the limitations of some autonomous driving features and a lack of human supervision. In many autopilot-related accidents, the legal liability can be unclear.
When your future is on the line, reach out to a Salt Lake City Tesla accident lawyer to conduct a full investigation and help you recover what you’re owed.
Limitations of Autonomous Driving Features That May Cause Accidents
Many people with newer vehicles are familiar with some of the assistive technologies, such as blind spot detection, lane departure alerts, and backup cameras. Just like the features we may already be familiar with, Tesla’s technology relies on data collected from cameras and sensors, meaning it can be compromised or disrupted. Some noted limitations include:
- Inappropriate maintenance
- Missing software updates
- Smudges on the camera or sensors
- Foggy weather
- Heavy rain
- Steep hills
- Sharp curves
- Bright light
You may feel that technology is superior to human abilities. However, it is far from infallible. If you use the self-driving features without an engaged driver, they can rank among the many dangers of driving unsafe cars. The legal implications involved can complicate your situation further.
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Tesla’s Advanced Driver Assistance and Full Self-Driving Features Can Cause Accidents Without Supervision by a Driver
Many people were excited to learn that Tesla was developing self-driving technology, hoping for the benefits of a taxi service without the inconvenience or cost. However, that is not what consumers have received.
According to Tesla, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) | Tesla Support, all self-driving features require supervision and should always be used with a diligent and competent driver.
- Navigate on Autopilot: Guides your vehicle from a highway on-ramp to off-ramp, including suggesting lane changes, interchanges, and automatic engagement of the turn signal to exit
- Auto Lane Change: Helps to move into adjacent lanes on the highway when Autosteer is active
- Autopark: Helps automatically park your vehicle
- Dumb Summon: Navigates your vehicle in and out of tight spaces with the app or key
- Actually Smart Summon: Allows your vehicle to traverse more complex environments and parking spaces to find you in a parking lot
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: Identifies a stop sign or a red light and automatically slows to a stop at the designated location
On the surface, many of these features appear to be capable of independent action. Titles like autosteer and autopilot. However, upon further reading, each of these functions is intended to be used under the supervision of a driver who can compensate in the event of a malfunction.
Preventing Tesla Self-Driving Feature Accidents
Tesla has experienced many accidents. A recent data analysis conducted by LendingTree reveals that Tesla vehicles rank among the top three car brands in terms of accidents, DUIs, speeding, and other citations. Fortunately, with an attentive driver, many of the causes of these issues are within the driver’s control.
When you utilize the features, ensure you are paying attention to the road and ready to take over in the event of a malfunction. Do not consider autopilot as a crutch that allows you to drive while overtired or under the influence. Additionally, these features do not excuse you from abiding by distracted driving laws as outlined in statute 41-6a-1716.
These features can be excellent tools, but they should never be used as the sole decision maker due to their fallibility. Always maintain environmental awareness to anticipate changing circumstances and prevent fatal accidents, such as the hundreds that have occurred since their release.
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When Prevention Strategies Fail
Whether or not Tesla’s self-driving features caused your accident is separate from whether Tesla is liable for the resulting injuries. Gathering evidence to determine liability in autonomous car accidents is rarely a straightforward process; however, once that is established, determining whether the self-driving features contributed to the accident can be somewhat easier.
Local Autopilot-Related Accidents
The news has reported on at least two autopilot-related fatal accidents in Utah in the last decade. In 2018, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported that a young woman was using autopilot when her Tesla hit the back of a fire truck stopped at a red light along S Bangerter Highway at State Routes 154 and 151. Reports say the vehicle failed to brake while in autopilot mode.
More recently, a motorcyclist was hit and killed in 2022 by a Tesla in autopilot. According to a Reuters article (Tesla sued by family of motorcyclist killed in Autopilot crash), the driver of the Tesla Model 3 was too tired to drive safely and decided to use the autopilot feature. The car’s cameras and sensors failed to identify the motorcyclist, resulting in a collision at full speed.
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Call a Tesla Accident Lawyer Today for an Accident Caused by a Tesla Self-Driving Feature
If an accident from a Tesla self-driving feature has injured you, you may be eligible for compensation from the responsible driver and the company. Call us today to schedule a free case consultation with Siegfried & Jensen.
During the consultation, you’ll hear about how our Salt Lake City Tesla accident lawyers have decades of experience and legal knowledge to bring to your case. Let’s discuss how we can help you.
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