Autopilot Not Blamed in Dutch Tesla Crash
Another driver has died after his Tesla Motors Model S sedan crashed. Investigators say that driver had been going more than 96 miles per hour just prior to the crash on Wednesday morning.
Police investigators near the Dutch town of Baarn said that the vehicle crashed into a tree and burst into flames. Tesla sent representatives to the scene to work with investigators in order to determine what caused the accident killed the 56-year-old driver.
Tesla said that the car’s logs say that the semi-autonomous Autopilot mode was not engaged and that the driver had been traveling at a high rate of speed. The company is in full cooperation with Dutch authorities during the investigation.
Tesla’s Autopilot system has been under scrutiny since another Model S driver died in Florida in May of this year. In the fatal accident in Florida, the driver of the car had been operating in Autopilot. This system makes use of cameras, radar and onboard computers and it can spot objects and stop the vehicle if it senses an impending collision.
The California-based company says that the Autopilot function in the Model S series is a driver-assist program and that the driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time. Still, however, the system can maintain a set speed, change lanes on its own and it can allow for the driver to take hands off the wheel for a number of minutes.
The data that Tesla used to find out whether the Autopilot function was engaged in either fatal crash is used to help the company make improvements to the car’s functionality.
The auto industry keeps making improvements to vehicles, but no system is foolproof from drivers taking unnecessary risks or getting into an accident. It is a well-established fact that no matter how careful you are while on the road, an accident can happen at any time.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a highway or Interstate accident, give us a call. Having to face the challenges that inevitably come after an accident is something best faced with an attorney who will represent you and your interests.
When it’s you having to deal with the medical costs, long-term treatment that can keep you off the job, or having to deal with other expenses as well as pain and suffering can be difficult. You have certain rights, and you and your loved ones may be entitled to compensation for your damages or loss. If you live in the Miami-Dade area or live in South Florida, contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Let us answer your questions Contact us today to discuss your case. There is no obligation.