Pedestrian is Killed

A pedestrian wheeling a bicycle across the road was recently killed by an Uber self-driving vehicle in Arizona. This was the first pedestrian death associated with self-driving vehicles in the United States. Uber had been testing its self-driving vehicles in Arizona, California, Pennsylvania and Canada. The company quickly suspended testing in all four locations shortly after the accident.

Following closely after Uber’s announcement it was grounding all of its self-driving cars, Arizona’s governor suspended the company’s license to test-drive its self-driving vehicles in the state. Uber itself then announced that it would not be seeking renewal of it permit to test its self-driving vehicles in California. Despite these measures, what this tragedy reflects is that self-driving cars are not ready to begin wide-scale operations on the roads in Florida, Arizona, or any other state at any time in the near future.

How Did the Accident Occur?

According to a New York Times report regarding the incident, a woman was crossing a Tempe, Arizona street wheeling her bicycle when she was struck by the Uber vehicle, which had a safety driver inside. The vehicle was determined to be going 40 mph in a 45 zone. Most alarmingly, the vehicle’s video equipment shows that the car did not even brake or slow down before hitting the woman. Further investigation of the incident also reflected that the safety driver in the vehicle who was supposed to be monitoring the car as it drove was distracted. A review of the car’s video systems reflected that the safety driver was looking down at the time of the impact. It also appears from the video that both of the safety driver’s hands were not hovering above the steering wheel, which is what safety drivers are instructed to do at all times because it allows them to take control of the car quickly in the case of an emergency.

Why Is This Such a Disturbing Trend?

This recent accident is so disturbing because the claim of companies attempting to develop fully autonomous vehicles to date has been that the implementation of fully autonomous vehicles on city streets in Miami, West Palm Beach and other major cities is just around the corner. However, the more often accidents like this happen, the more uncertain the future of self-driving vehicles and their safety for nearby motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2016, a man in Florida was killed in a Tesla while using its Autopilot feature. Although federal investigators later found the system was not at fault in the crash, incidents like the 2016 crash in Williston, Florida or the recent Tempe pedestrian accident do not make Floridians feel any safer.

Contact the Experienced Accident Attorneys of Lytal Reiter if You Have Been Injured or a Loved One Has Been Killed in a Florida Motor Vehicle Accident

Conveniently located in West Palm Beach for 27 years, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, LLP concentrates in Personal Injury, Wrongful death, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Auto accidents. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we specialize in helping victims and their families get fair compensation for injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Our main areas of practice include personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, and premise liability. We provide each client with the highest quality representation from a top Florida accident and injury lawyer. Call us at 561-655-1990 or Visit us at.

Uber Accident Attorneys in West Palm Beach

About Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath
515 N Flagler Dr, 10th Floor
West Palm Beach
Florida, FL 33401
(561) 655-1990
www.foryourrights.com

Sources:

http://www.fdot.gov/planning/trends/tc-report/safety.pdf

Pedestrian is Killed by Self-Driving Uber Car in Arizona

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