For several years now, Google has been developing self-driving cars that do not require the attention of a human driver to get to the final destination. According to one news source, these vehicles have recently undergone some safety testing, and the results may be surprising. The self-driving cars are involved in fewer accidents than those operated by people.
According to the news source, Google recently released a comprehensive report indicating all the accidents that the self-driving cars have been involved in. The report indicates that the robotic cars have driven about 1.8 million miles in total and that they have been involved in 12 accidents, none of which were the fault of the robot that was “behind the wheel.”
Most of the accidents, the report claims, were caused by another driver rear-ending the self-driving car. Evidently, another accident was caused when a human-driven car veered out of its lane on the highway and drifted into the self-driven vehicle. Yet another accident occurred when a driver rolled through a stop sign and plowed into the side of the robotic car. The one accident that was determined to be the robotic car’s fault was not when the robot was in control, but when a Google employee took the car to run an errand and rear-ended the vehicle while he was in control.
Not Paying Attention Causes Accidents
Of the several accidents that were reported involving the self-driving cars, there seems to be a pattern. When drivers don’t pay attention to what they are doing, accidents are more likely to occur. Whether it is rolling through a stop sign, not paying attention to one’s position in a lane of travel, or failing to see a vehicle coming to a stop, each of these accidents could have been avoided if drivers were paying more attention to the road around them.
In Washington DC, with abundant drivers, confusing roads, and lengthy daily commutes, drivers often “zone out,” increasing the risk of causing an accident. When an accident is caused by another’s negligent conduct while behind the wheel, that driver can often be held financially liable for any injuries or property damage that occurs. To learn more about car accidents in Washington DC, speak with a dedicated Washington DC personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Involved in an Accident with a Negligent Driver?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Washington DC car accident that you believe was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Of course, every case is different and should be evaluated by a skilled attorney prior to filing a lawsuit. If you have questions about whether you have a case, give one of the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers a call. The dedicated personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of collective experience bringing cases on behalf of injured motorists and pedestrians. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation today.
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