Several days ago, InsideEVs mused over a $240+ million verdict against Tesla rendered by a jury in Florida and what it would mean to the automotive industry. Who is liable in a self-driving accident?
Tesla, which intends to appeal the verdict, continues on the one hand to call its Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) ‘Autopilot’, but maintains that the driver remains responsible to be attentive.
Not so Autopilot after all.
But it’s one of the first major legal decisions over the technology that has gone against Tesla. Other claims have either been dismissed or settled.
We’ve discussed this here nearly ad nauseum, and we continue to maintain that if the car has taken control of the driving, the manufacturer of that car has taken responsibility for the results.
The crash in question involved a Tesla Model S and resulted in the death of one person and serious injuries to another. The driver stated he was attempting to recover a dropped telephone and expected the car would stop for any obstacle it encountered.
This seems to be a very reasonable expectation. How can this not rule number one for a self driving car??
For the record, every post on X from Tesla or a Tesla driver continually tout the fact that the cars drive themselves.
Regardless, we first discussed this issue back in 2015 when Håkan Samuelsson, then president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said that Volvo would accept full liability whenever one if its cars is in autonomous mode.
Earlier this year China’s BYD dipped a toe in by saying that if a car damages another while using its intelligent parking feature, they will pay the damages.
This bears repeating: we continue to maintain that if the car has taken control of the driving, the manufacturer has taken responsibility for the results. Period.
We look forward to the day we no longer need to shell out for car insurance…
——————————————————————-
The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 30+ years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s, ME: MS, RPI, NY
Where does liability lie in a self-driving accident?
Several days ago, InsideEVs mused over a $240+ million verdict against Tesla rendered by a jury in Florida and what it would mean to the automotive industry. Who is liable in a self-driving accident?
Tesla, which intends to appeal the verdict, continues on the one hand to call its Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) ‘Autopilot’, but maintains that the driver remains responsible to be attentive.
Not so Autopilot after all.
But it’s one of the first major legal decisions over the technology that has gone against Tesla. Other claims have either been dismissed or settled.
We’ve discussed this here nearly ad nauseum, and we continue to maintain that if the car has taken control of the driving, the manufacturer of that car has taken responsibility for the results.
The crash in question involved a Tesla Model S and resulted in the death of one person and serious injuries to another. The driver stated he was attempting to recover a dropped telephone and expected the car would stop for any obstacle it encountered.
This seems to be a very reasonable expectation. How can this not rule number one for a self driving car??
For the record, every post on X from Tesla or a Tesla driver continually tout the fact that the cars drive themselves.
Regardless, we first discussed this issue back in 2015 when Håkan Samuelsson, then president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said that Volvo would accept full liability whenever one if its cars is in autonomous mode.
Earlier this year China’s BYD dipped a toe in by saying that if a car damages another while using its intelligent parking feature, they will pay the damages.
This bears repeating: we continue to maintain that if the car has taken control of the driving, the manufacturer has taken responsibility for the results. Period.
We look forward to the day we no longer need to shell out for car insurance…
——————————————————————-
The material on these pages is provided for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
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The author has 30+ years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s, ME: MS, RPI, NY