Robo-Taxis: A Game-Changer for San Francisco

In early August, San Francisco achieved a significant milestone, marking a notable victory for the autonomous vehicle industry. Following a decision by California regulators, it became the first city in the US to grant permission for fully autonomous vehicles to operate as taxis, commonly referred to as robo-taxis. This pioneering move empowers these driverless vehicles to navigate city streets day and night, representing a considerable leap forward for autonomous transportation.

While various companies have explored self-driving vehicles, many have maintained human drivers to prevent autonomous vehicles from losing control or making incorrect decisions at critical moments.

The regulatory action mandates companies to report mileage and collision data to state and national safety agencies. However, critics of this action argue that it should also require reporting other incidents, such as instances where cars enter bike lanes, cause traffic blockages by abrupt stops, or encounter challenging situations like responding to mass shootings, storm aftermaths, or impeding emergency vehicles.

Florida emerged as an early adopter of self-driving car permissions in 2012, during the technology’s infancy. Despite this, the state has witnessed its share of fatalities and accidents involving autonomous vehicle technology.

Technology Does Not Eliminate Driving Risks

Several incidents involving autonomous driving vehicles underscore the limitations of driverless cars’ safety. Even with advanced computer systems controlling autonomous vehicles, unpredictable scenarios can arise on the nation’s roads, including in Florida. Failures in these computer systems could lead to fatal consequences. The state has already seen accidents, fatal and otherwise, resulting from the malfunction of autonomous vehicle computer systems, including cases of Tesla’s Autopilot feature failing or malfunctioning.

Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley

At Schwed Adams & McGinley, our experienced personal injury attorneys boast over 200 years of combined legal experience representing motorists injured in various motor vehicle accidents. The introduction of driverless vehicles could introduce new types of accidents, possibly arising from vehicle malfunctions rather than the typical negligence seen in human-driven collisions. Regardless of the technology’s extent, glitches or larger system issues can lead to severe repercussions for the driver and surrounding motorists. If you sustain injuries due to an autonomous vehicle malfunction, you have the right to seek compensation from the manufacturer, owner, or both. If you’ve suffered injury in a motor vehicle accident in Florida caused by a malfunctioning autonomous vehicle, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced personal injury attorneys today at contact@schwedlaw.com or (877) 694-6079 today.