Pennsylvania readers may have heard that an influx of autonomous vehicles, or AVs, is just around the corner. After all, huge companies like Apple, Google and General Motors are spending billions of dollars on AV technologies. However, other experts claim that driverless cars may hit metaphorical roadblocks that slow their acceptance by consumers.
Some of the biggest roadblocks to the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles could be the legal and ethical challenges they present. For example, it’s unclear who will be liable when an AV is involved in a car crash. Another potential obstacle is the sophisticated mapping that AVs will require to operate properly. Manufacturers must work with legislatures to get permission to do extensive surveys of roads, which will likely take time and impede traffic.
Another potential roadblock is that consumers seem to be skeptical about AVs. For instance, a January 2017 poll found that 74 percent of Americans don’t believe driverless vehicles are safe. This is notable because one of the primary advantages of AVs is supposed to be their ability to avoid crashes and save lives. Studies have also found that many consumers are reluctant to pay extra for AV technology.
Federal statistics show that nearly 100 Americans are killed in car crashes every day. Worse, 94 percent of these car accidents are caused by human error. Individuals who have been injured in a car crash caused by another party may find it necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover medical expenses and other damages. An attorney could assess a victim’s case and explain the best legal options available.