Self-Driving Cars in Chester County, Pennsylvania
As technology continues to evolve and become increasingly capable of handling complex tasks, car manufacturers and technology companies are in a mad race to develop fully functioning driver-less cars.
Companies such as Uber, Ford, and Google have such a huge stake in the development of driverless cars that they have teamed up to create the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets to help ensure policies are created to further their ‘self-driven’ interests.
Uber-CMU Partnership Makes an Abrupt Stop in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania will play a substantial role in the advancement of self-driving cars. After all, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is the birthplace of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. However, after collaborating with Uber for only one year to advance AV technology, the Uber-Carnegie Mellon partnership has come to an abrupt halt. Could this be because they realized self-driving cars pose a serious threat to public safety?
If you were involved in an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, commercial truck accident, or bicycle accident in West Chester, Philadelphia, or Lancaster, PA, and have medical bills or have been unable to work due to injuries from the accident, contact the team of attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 719-3190.
The Ciccarelli Law Offices have experienced personal injury attorneys with extensive experience recouping monetary losses stemming from car accidents. Ciccarelli Law Offices have multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania, including; West Chester, Springfield, Kennett Square, and Philadelphia.
It is important that you immediately consult an experienced personal injury attorney to preserve your case and recuperate your losses. Contact the Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 719-3190.
Driver-less Cars May Endanger West Chester, PA Motorists
Since the early 1890s, automobiles have been under the direct control of human beings. That constant may soon change within the next decade when operating systems “take the wheel” and begin controlling automobiles.
According to PennDot (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation), passenger cars made up more than 55% of the car crashes that occurred in West Chester, Springfield, and Pennsylvania as a whole. The large number of passenger vehicles involved in car accidents could be contributed to distracted driving.
Drivers have become more distracted over the years with production of products and features commonly used while driving, such as car radios, cell phones, text messaging, GPS systems, and display screens in the driver’s view. One could present a compelling argument that technology and automobiles aren’t a very good combination.
Recently, a Florida man was killed while his Tesla’s autopilot feature was engaged, which prompted the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a letter stating that it is investigating all Tesla vehicles equipped with any version of their “Autopilot Technology Package”.
With a 5% increase in the total number of car accidents in Pennsylvania, self-driving cars using busy highways such as US 322, PA 162, and PA 842 is a major concern for drivers in Philadelphia, Lancaster, and other cities throughout Pennsylvania. Especially when high-end car manufacturers like Tesla are having difficulty creating an autopilot feature that can simply distinguish a massive truck from the sky.
Keystone State Politics and Self-Driving Cars
Seven other states and the District of Columbia currently have legislation that authorizes self-driving cars to use public roads in some capacity. To help update Pennsylvania’s transportation legislation, a newly-formed think tank has been charged with assisting PennDot draft policies for autonomous vehicles.
The Autonomous Vehicles Policy Task Force is comprised of Pennsylvania legislators, transportation officials, and other key figures with public safety experience. As of July 2016, Pennsylvania legislatures have proposed State Senate Bill 1268 to the transportation committee, which would permit the testing of automated vehicle once a company has provided proof of $5 million in general liability insurance.
Common Types of Collision Injuries in West Chester, PA
A person involved in a motor vehicle accident could sustain a number of different injuries. A few of the injuries that could result from a car accident include:
- Head – Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, coma, to lasting cognitive problems.
- Back – herniated disk, spinal cord injuries which could result in paralysis
- Neck – whiplash, neck pain, swelling, and temporary vocal cord paralysis
- Chest –trauma to chest area, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, traumatic cardiac arrest
- Other injuries – broken bones, torn ligaments, severed or amputated limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder
Injuries caused by automobile accidents can get costly and become a huge burden for the victims involved. Some injuries may present themselves immediately after the accident, while others may go undiscovered for months after the accident. This is why it is important to contact the team of attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 719-3190 so we can immediately help preserve your case.
The Future of Self-Driving Cars in Pennsylvania
As self-driving cars are being tested on the streets of Pennsylvania, creating potential hazards for many drivers, confusion exists as to what impact autonomous cars will have on the law and personal injury cases. With so many unknowns, it is important to have a highly experienced attorney working on your behalf.
The team of attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices have years of extensive experience dealing with car accident victims. From the initial consultation, the seasoned attorneys will work together to obtain the best possible result in your case.
If you were involved in an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, commercial truck accident, or bicycle accident in West Chester, Philadelphia, or Lancaster, PA, and have medical bills or you have been unable to work due to injuries from the accident, contact the Ciccarelli Law Offices at (610) 719-3190.
Ciccarelli Law Offices have multiple locations throughout Pennsylvania, including; West Chester, Springfield, Kennett Square, and Philadelphia. It is important that you immediately consult an experienced personal injury attorney to preserve your case and recuperate your losses.
References:
https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Supreme/out/J-80-2013mo%20-%201020173292832303.pdf?cb=1
https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/Documents/2014_CFB_linked.pdf
https://news.psu.edu/story/329056/2014/10/07/research/probing-question-will-americans-accept-self-driving-cars