Rapid advances in technology are already changing the way that we live and work, especially when it comes to automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
That includes changing the way that people go from Point A to Point B, as vehicles become increasingly computerized in ways designed to provide a safer and more comfortable drive. But with new technology also comes new safety concerns. A recent, fatal car accident in Palm Beach is an unfortunate reminder of some of those concerns.
The crash occurred just seconds after a Tesla driver flipped his controls to “autopilot.” The setting is supposed to let the luxury electric cars do some of the steering and other heavy lifting and is billed as a precursor to self-driving vehicle technology.
Jeremy Banner died in March when his Tesla Model S slammed into a semi trailer on a highway in Palm Beach, according to ABC News. Banner turned on the autopilot function just 10 seconds before the collision, a National Transportation Safety Board investigation revealed.
Banner’s car was traveling around 68 miles per hour at the time of the collision and did not break, slow or swerve in the moments leading up to the crash, according to the NTSB. He also did not have his hands on the wheel of the car for the final eight seconds of his life, according to Tesla. That has sparked some speculation about whether a technological snafu with the autopilot setting may have caused or contributed to the accident.
Banner’s family members recently filed a lawsuit against Tesla for wrongful death.
Legal Protections for People Injured in Car Accidents
This tragic accident is an unfortunate reminder of the risk that comes with being on the road in Florida and across the country.
Fortunately, Florida law gives people injured in car accidents the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes negligent drivers and car manufacturers who put malfunctioning vehicles on the road.
The money damages typically available in these cases covers medical bills, missed wages due to time away from work, and property damage. In tragic cases in which a person dies in a crash, his or her family has the right to seek similar compensation for wrongful death.
Speak With a Villages Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the crash. An experienced attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for money damages.
Villages injury attorney Tim Babiarz has been representing people involved in car and other accidents for more than two decades. Our office is conveniently located in The Villages. Our firm is proud to fight for clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages injury attorney.
