Self-Driving Cars Are Coming to West Texas: What You Need to Know

Our Odessa Car Accident Lawyers Examine the Vehicles of the Future

Recently, the self-driving car manufacturing company Waymo announced that it would soon be launching two of its models into West Texas for testing. Chrysler Pacifica minivans and long-haul trucks will soon be spotted barrelling down portions of I-10, I-20, and I-45 without drivers. These routes were called “interesting” and “promising” for commercial use by the company and will be tested to see whether new transportation solutions can be found.

While the news of the future coming to West Texas is certainly exciting, Attorney Robert White and our Odessa car accident lawyers want to make sure our community is well aware of what comes with sharing the road with a robocar.

Self-Driving Cars Will Reduce Collision Numbers

Each year, 20-50 million people are injured in vehicle accidents. 94 percent of those accidents are caused by human error. Humans are distracted, imperfect beings with a large margin of error. Waymo’s mission behind developing self-driving cars is to reduce that error by essentially taking away the possibility of it. For example, with an increase of self-driving cars on the road, the number of drunk drivers will likely decrease. Drivers will be on their phones in the comfort of the back seat, rather than behind the wheel. Complex and tested technology will determine whether it’s safe to merge, not a person lacking quality depth perception.

Autonomous cars also have the potential to transport individuals suffering from disabilities more easily and safely than in their own motor vehicles.

Who Does Liability Fall on in an Accident With an Autonomous Vehicle?

While these vehicles will inevitably decrease the number of accidents on the road, accidents won’t disappear altogether when autonomous cars are ubiquitous. Self-driving cars will run into each other and even pedestrians, like Elaine Herzberg, who was struck and killed by a self-driving car. Herzberg stepped off the median into the path of a car driving 38 miles per hour when she was struck and killed. The initial investigation performed by police officers pointed to the likelihood that Herzberg was at fault, but the fact remains that she was struck down by a driverless vehicle, leaving no one to assume liability.

In an accident with two humans, vehicular negligence can typically be determined. However, when you remove humans from behind the wheel, who then will be at fault in the event of an accident? Was a manufacturing error the cause of Herzberg’s untimely demise? An Odessa car accident lawyer can help you answer these questions and more.

Attorney Robert White Has the Answers

Attorney Robert White is an experienced car accident lawyer with a vast knowledge of negligence and car accident claims. If you’ve been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering. Call Attorney Robert White in Odessa, Texas, today at 432-580-5421 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.