Cautionary Tales for Self-Driving Cars

• January 22, 2025
• Attorney David Mann
• Car Accidents Personal Injury Wrongful Death

Self-driving cars are slowly entering onto the on ramps of society.  As with all new technology, there are bound to be kinks along the way.  Over the past 5 years or so, stories of accidents caused by self-driving cars have hit the airwaves.  One of the first accidents related to self-driving cars occurred in 2018, when an Uber killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. This story should serve as one of the many cautionary tales for self-driving cars.

As self-driving cars become more common, it will be important for drivers and pedestrians to understand the risks and issues involved with these controversial vehicles. They will likely become more prevalent on Georgia roads in the coming years, and it is possible you could even be involved in an accident with one.

What Happened in the Self-Driving Crash in Tempe, Arizona?

A self-driving Uber Volvo SUV ran over a 49-year-old woman in Tempe as she was walking her bike across a road in mid-March 2018.  Preliminary accident information from local police found the car was going 40 mph in a 35 mph zone. The 44-year-old Uber test driver was behind the wheel when the crash occurred, but he was not driving. It appears the vehicle did not brake before hitting the woman.

The car was in its autonomous mode when the fatal accident happened. This means the car was driving under the control of its computer. During such tests, a live driver sits behind the wheel as a precaution.  Police said there was no evidence the driver was impaired.

What Happened After The Accident?

After the accident,  Uber suspended the testing of self-driving vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. It has conducted such tests in Arizona, Pittsburgh, Toronto and other metro areas. Uber also cooperated with the police in the investigation.

Two weeks after the woman’s death, Uber reached a confidential settlement with her family and did not face criminal charges.  In July 2023, the “driver” of the Uber pleaded guilty to endangerment and was sentenced to three years of supervised probation.

Why Are Self-Driving Cars Popular in Arizona?

Arizona is one of the states where Uber has been conducting self-driving car tests. The Arizona governor has signed an executive order that allows self-driving vehicles to drive on roads in the state, even without a test driver. Since 2015, the state has passed numerous bills related to self-driving cars.  In 2022, the governor of Arizona signed an autonomous vehicle statute into law.  Also, Arizona has generally good weather and is thus a good testing ground for self-driving vehicles. Waymo is a self-driving component of Google, and it recently launched a self-driving car service in Phoenix. GM and Intel are also conducting such tests in Arizona.

Who Can Be Held Liable For Self-Driving Car Accidents?

Since self-driving cars are relatively new, the law surrounding liability has yet to be fully established.  However, we have studied the law to determine who could possibly be held liable for a self-driving car accident:

• The Driver – Even though the car is driving itself, the person sitting in the driver’s seat could make errors in judgment.
• The Car Manufacturer – The company that manufactured the car could have made errors on the assembly line and may be held liable for the accident.
• The Designer – The person or company that designed the self-driving car could be held liable if they designed the car incorrectly or knew that an accident was possible.

Were You Injured in a Self-Driving Car Accident? Call The Mann Law Firm Today.

The Mann Law Firm, an experienced Macon car accident law firm, knows how to assist citizens of Macon and Middle Georgia who have been involved in car accidents, including those with self-driving vehicles. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you to get the compensation you deserve for your car accident injuries. Please reach out to us today at (478) 742-3381 for a complimentary legal consultation.