Over the last decade, the world’s leading auto manufacturers have been racing to develop the first mass-produced driverless cars. Last year was particularly revolutionary thanks to the launch of Uber’s driverless fleet. There’s no disputing the fact that self-driving vehicles will have far-reaching benefits, but will they reduce the number of personal injury lawsuits?
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human errors cause 94 percent of all motor-vehicle collisions. Although driverless vehicles will not eliminate car accidents altogether, they should prevent a significant percentage of collisions and, therefore, reduce the number of personal injury claims.
Until this technology becomes mainstream, though, driver errors will continue to contribute to thousands of injuries and deaths every year. If you were hurt by a negligent driver in New Mexico, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic damages.
An Albuquerque car accident lawyer from The Law Office of Brian K. Branch will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 505-207-4401 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
4 Possible Benefits of Self-Driving Vehicles
In addition to reducing the number of personal injury claims, driverless cars could lead to a multitude of positive changes. Let’s take a look at four possible benefits of the widespread adoption of self-driving vehicles:
- Lower Auto Insurance Premiums
According to Forbes, self-driving vehicles could prevent up to 90 percent of accidents. This could translate into fewer hospital visits and lower insurance premiums. If the technology is as effective as it is anticipated to be, expect insurance companies to offer discounts to policyholders with driverless vehicles.
- Reduce the Number of Emergency Room Visits
Car accidents are a leading cause of serious unintentional injuries. Multiple studies have concluded that driverless vehicles could significantly reduce the number of emergency room visits and lower the overall expense that comes with emergency healthcare by $400 billion.
- Prevent Traffic Congestion
Although the software that operates driverless cars is still under development, it is likely that the technology will be effective at calculating lane capacity and following distance. This should prevent traffic congestion.
- Reduce Gas Consumption
You may already know that your acceleration patterns have a direct effect on fuel consumption. Driverless cars can be programmed to minimize fuel consumption by implementing the most efficient acceleration and deceleration patterns. This translates into lower greenhouse gas emissions and significant savings for the vehicle owner.
Unfortunately, it may be several years until self-driving cars become mainstream. Until then, human errors will continue to be a leading cause of injuries and death in the United States.
If you were injured or lost a family member due to a distracted, drunk, or negligent driver, contact us. A car accident lawyer in Albuquerque will evaluate your case in a free initial consultation. Call 505-207-4401 today to discuss your claim with a personal injury attorney.