According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, a self-driving
Lexus RX450h collided with a municipal bus in Mountain View. The accident
report claims that the self-driving vehicle was merging back in traffic
to avoid sandbags blocking a storm drain. The assumption of the vehicle,
which was traveling 2 miles per hour, was that the bus, traveling 15 miles
per hour, would stop or slow down but it didn’t.
There were no injuries involved and the only damage mentioned in the accident report was to the Google self-driving car. Google claims that accidents happen like this between drivers each day, defending their self-driving car. Previously, there were reports of 17 different accidents involving this vehicle, all of which claimed human drivers were at fault. The accident in Mountain View marks the first time that the Google self-driving vehicle carries some of the blame in a collision.
Any vehicle accident can be serious, but incidents involving the new self-driving cars can result in complex legal matters. Because of the sensors, the self-driving vehicle is supposed to avoid obstacles. When these accidents occur, it could mean that there is some kind of malfunction occurring with the sensors.
At Levinson Axelrod, P.A., our New Jersey car accident attorneys are dedicated to making sure victims of serious collisions can have the legal protection they need. When an accident occurs because a component on the Google self-driving car malfunctions, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for any damages sustained.
Call our firm to determine if you have a case. We have been representing injury victims for more than 75 years with skill, determination, and success. We offer free consultations so we can discuss your potential claim without concern of financial hardships. Get started with our firm today.