Do you remember the video where Volvo ran over two of their executives with his own car? They were trying to show off their auto-brake technology, which had actually not been fully installed in the demonstration vehicle.
The loss of trust in Volvo’s brand was bad enough, but this incident also had legal ramifications just like all other car accidents.
The new move in automotive technology is self-driving. Elon Musk aims to put a working auto-pilot in all of the Tesla electric vehicles.
So what are your legal options if the auto-pilot drives the car right into you?
Activating Self Driving in Tesla Electric Vehicles
The terms self-driving and auto-pilot may conjure images of empty drivers seats or of people sleeping behind steering wheels that move on their own. This is obviously not safe at all, and Tesla knows that.
Tesla cars come with the self-driving functions disabled, and the owner can only activate them by following instructions in the owner’s manual. The driver has to agree to always keep their hands on the wheel as part of the activation process.
A visual reminder to keep hands on the wheel is also displayed on screen every time a driver activates self-driving.
How Tesla Self Driving Should Work
Tesla’s own support page and user manuals indicate that their auto-pilot features are not meant to replace the driver. These capabilities are rather intended to be used like cruise control. The driver should still be actively involved at all times, with the car now handling a lot of the general steering work.
Tesla owners are even supposed to be present to use the summon and smart summon features.
How Self Driving Was Used
Unfortunately the advertising campaign Tesla ran overstated the self-driving capabilities of their cars. It’s not uncommon for a company to embellish their product’s attractiveness, but depicting an auto-pilot as doing something it cannot actually do does put lives at risk.
In May last year, one Californian managed to take a Tesla onto the road while sitting in the back seat. It’s always likely that a few users will try to find ways to abuse their technology. That is why many states are introducing legislation to regulate the use of auto-pilot features in cars
Existing California State Civil Code and Personal Injury
According to California legislation, personal injury lawsuits can be filed for two reasons. The first is if you have been purposefully injured by another person. The second is if you have suffered injuries because someone else neglected to perform certain duties which would have kept you safe.
If you are involved in a crash with a Tesla, it may be the fault of a negligent driver. Present negligence is also quite easy to prove in court. The suit can become a Tesla lawsuit though.
If you suspect that the self-driving software drove the car into you despite the driver maintaining vigilance and taking steps to avoid the crash, then you can sue Tesla.
Get Legal Advice Today
Injuries related to Tesla electric vehicles crashing in self-driving mode can be the fault of the driver or the manufacturer. It is up to the police and the legal system to determine who really is to blame.
It’s always best to consult a legal expert when you think you have a case against someone, or if you need legal defense. Such experts can review the facts of your case and give sound advice concerning who you can claim damages from in a lawsuit. If you’re defending against a suit it’s also strongly advised to have a representative who can navigate all the applicable laws.
Check out our other blog posts for tips on finding the perfect accident and financial lawyers today.
