Tesla’s Autopilot System Has Caused a Horrific Number of Car Accidents

The last few years have been a kind of whirlwind of innovation. New medicine, new technologies, even new ways of mapping the past – everything we thought the future would hold is happening before our eyes. And of all the products we envisioned, it’s the self-driving car that really captured America’s imaginations. The problem is that as cool as the concept is, those cars aren’t like the ones we saw in movies. They’re dangerous – and none more so, it seems, than Telsas equipped with autopilot.

According to a recent news article by the Washington Post, there were over 700 car accidents involving Tesla’s autopilot system in 2019. In fact, the data shows that the number of deaths and accidents involving this new technology is continuing to increase. The article went over the details of a terrifying Tesla accident that occurred in North Carolina in 2019, where a teenager was getting off a school bus on Highway 561.

The Tesla was in autopilot mode and failed to stop or slow down for the boy. He was hit by the vehicle going 45 mph, which led to him colliding with the windshield and being thrown into the air. He eventually hit the pavement and was found in the road by his father. If the boy was any younger, there is a good chance that he would not have survived the accident. He had a broken leg, fractured neck, and needed to be on a ventilator. Four years after the accident, he still has problems with walking, and his memory is not very good.

When it comes to fatalities, the most recent number provided by authorities in June 2022 is 17 fatal accidents. These fatal accidents have similar patterns. For example, four of the fatalities involved a motorcyclist. One accident in Utah in 2022 led to an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A motorcycle rider was traveling on Interstate 15 close to Salt Lake City when a Tesla rear-ended their motorcycle. The motorcyclist was thrown from their bike and passed away at the accident scene. The Tesla was in autopilot mode. A professor at George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing, Missy Cummings, stated that “it’s very dangerous for motorcycles to be around Teslas.”

What is Tesla’s autopilot system?

Per Tesla, the autopilot system was created “to assist you with the most burdensome parts of driving,” and it makes your Tesla “safer and more capable over time.” Some of the tasks that the autopilot system can control includes:

• Accelerating
• Braking
• Steering

Regardless of the fact that the Tesla website mentions that the autopilot system still needs active supervision from a driver, many people will get behind the wheel of a Tesla and sleep, eat, or fail to pay attention to the roads.

How does the autopilot system work?

According to this 2016 article from Business Insider:

• The autopilot system uses several different (about 12) sensors that can be found all around and throughout the vehicle. The sensors notify the car about what is around to ensure that it knows how to steer, accelerate, and brake appropriately.
• The autopilot system comes with a forward-facing camera, an electronically controlled braking system, and a forward radar. This equipment allows the Tesla to know what is within 16 feet of the car.
• The autopilot system lets the car know when to change lanes, brake, and more.
• The computer located inside the forward-facing camera looks out for any potential challenges, traffic, or crashes ahead to know what to do to avoid or navigate them.

Why is Tesla’s autopilot system so dangerous?

Tesla’s autopilot system is dangerous for many reasons. Human drivers are relying on this technology to get them from point A to point B in one piece. However, the system has been having trouble noticing motorcycles, pedestrians, and even emergency vehicles. In addition, the Tesla vehicles are known to have braking issues. As a matter of fact, in November 2022, there was an eight-car pileup accident in San Francisco because a Tesla car slammed on brakes suddenly and unexpectedly.

Determining liability in a Tesla car accident in Nashville, TN

Every car accident is different and unique, but self-driving vehicles like Teslas present their own types of challenges. This is why you want to work with a Nashville car accident lawyer who also has experience with product liability claims, like the attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have. Why? Because one of the most important parts of your case is determining who is liable for the wreck.

For example, say you were hit by a driver at an intersection. In this type of case, we’d look to see if the other driver was distracted or under the influence, or maybe speeding to beat the red light. In all these instances, we can make a very strong claim that he or she was liable, or at-fault, for the crash and the resulting injuries you sustained.

However, if that driver is in a Tesla using the autopilot feature, and that feature failed to recognize you or your vehicle, then Tesla may be at fault. It is also not uncommon for the driver of the Tesla to be found liable for the accident if they were driving recklessly, carelessly, or simply failed to supervise the vehicle. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, both the driver and the manufacturer could share liability for your accident.

Our team of Nashville car accident lawyers are experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable when it comes to Tesla and the accidents that this self-driving vehicle causes year after year in the United States. We are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to help you if you ever find yourself seriously injured and out of work because of a Tesla car accident.

Car crashes with semi-autonomous vehicles are some of the most complex cases there are. However, the good news is that at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we know the ins and outs when it comes to handling these types of cases and ensuring that our clients receive the results they desire. Our car accident lawyers are committed to providing a shoulder to lean on, helpful advice, and strong and accurate legal representation to our clients and their families. To receive help navigating this complicated legal case, call our office or submit our contact form today. We can schedule your free initial case review at one of our office locations in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.