Uber Vehicles and the Road Ahead

When self-driving Uber vehicles came to Arizona, people hailed the testing of the technology. This, they said, is the future of all driving. However, testing came to a halt around the country after the crash that happened nearly one year ago.

When Elaine Herzberg was crossing the road and was hit by the Volvo SUV that had hundreds of self-driving sensors as well as a backup driver, everyone wondered what went wrong. This was the first pedestrian fatality involving a self-driving vehicle in the country. At Lorona Mead, we want to talk about what has happened since and what is coming moving forward. If you need a Phoenix Uber accident attorney, call us today.

The Evolution of Self-Driving Cars:

After the now infamous crash in Tempe, self-driving programs were suspended throughout the country. This forward-moving technology seemed to stop as people wondered if it really was a good idea to have computers in charge of the roadways. One year later, however, self-driving cars from various companies are being tested on our roadways.

Arizona has been particularly friendly to become the innovation center for self-driving vehicles, opening the way early through executive order to allow them to operate. However, the public was not informed that self-driving vehicles would be joining them on the streets.

The Need for Self-Driving Technology

The reason behind self-driving vehicles can be summed up by Gov. Ducey when he said, “We lost tens of thousands of Americans every year in avoidable accidents caused by human error.”

He is not wrong. If we look at the latest reporting year from Arizona, you will see that we had 1,000 fatalities out of the total count of 127,064 traffic crashes. However, that only shows part of the picture. There were also 55,474 injuries. For severe injuries, the victims are left suffering from sometimes long-lasting consequences, including medical bills, lost income, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Self-driving cars, if the technology works the way it is supposed to, could alleviate so much pain and suffering. No longer would we have to worry about impaired or distracted drivers.

Until this technology is perfect though, we need to be aware that there may be more incidents like what happened in Tempe last year.

What You Can Do Moving Forward

We know that you take steps to drive safely when you hit the roadways each day. However, we also know that there is no way to predict another person's behavior. If you or a loved one have been injured due to another person's negligence, please seek legal assistance. At Lorona Mead, you will find a Phoenix Uber accident attorney that understands the complexities involved with these cases. Whether you have been injured due to a self-driving vehicle or in a regular ridesharing incident, we are here to help. We know you need help with medical expenses as well as other hidden accident costs, including lost wages and pain and suffering damages. You may even be eligible for punitive damages. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling (602) 385-6825.