We know that many of you rely on Uber.
We also know that you’re excited about Tesla’s electric vehicles that can go into a self-driving mode.
But what happens if your Uber driver has a Tesla self-driving vehicle and gets into an accident?
That’s what happened in Utah recently when an Uber driver slammed into the back of a firetruck at 60 mph. The firetruck was evidently stopped at a stoplight.
The Uber driver, who thankfully had no passengers at the time, had put her vehicle into Autopilot mode. In Autopilot mode, Tesla uses radar, cameras with 360-degree visibility, and sensors to detect the environment around it. This mode is made so that the vehicle can automatically change lanes, steer, park, and brake.
Tesla “warns drivers to remain alert while using Autopilot and not to rely on it entirely to avoid accidents.”
Guess what this Uber driver was doing?
Looking at her phone.
What if the driver had passengers at the time? Who would be at fault in this case, the Uber driver for distracted driving or Tesla for their vehicle’s failure to detect a big red firetruck?
A New Industry
While we recognize that Uber is becoming more and more of a household name, the ridesharing industry is still young. Law and regulations regarding Uber services are not near as established as they are with traditional public transportation and taxi services.
We recognize that getting an Uber ride is convenient and that most of the time it is safe, but remember, these drivers are just regular people. Most of them do not have any training specific to ferrying passengers. Their vehicles are not regularly inspected.
If an Uber driver is operating the vehicle while distracted by their devices, like the case above, the injuries to their passengers and people on the roadway around them can be severe.
Impaired driving is also another major concern. No Uber driver should operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so would put anyone around them in jeopardy.
Expanding
There are more than 400,000 Uber drivers in the United States, a number that is rising daily. As Uber expands beyond passenger services and into food delivery, you can count on more and more Uber drivers on the roadways, logging more miles.
This only increases the chance of them causing an accident.
What To Do
If you are hurt in an Uber accident, we know you may be confused. The process for any vehicle accident is hard, and even more so when dealing with companies. When you need an Uber accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, contact the Jardine Law Offices P.C. P.C. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are ready to step in and right for you. We want to make sure you get the compensation you deserve, from medical expenses and lost income to pain and suffering damages. You can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 801-350-3506 for a free consultation.