In America, we hold a near-and-dear narrative: Progress improves life. Technology has created a more connected and convenient world in the blink of an eye. For the most part, we’re healthier, safer, and smarter. But for all their virtues, emerging technologies bring with them challenges. Innovation opens the door to both improvement and peril, and we’re seeing a bit of both on the highway horizon.
Maybe it’s strange to talk about next-generation technology in the context of rubber and asphalt, which seem so thoroughly old-school. Futurism is ordinarily a discourse about “the information superhighway,” not actual highways. But our tried-and-true roadways are changing—all across the U.S. and worldwide.
Some of those changes are technology driven, and others are cultural. Most are making commuters’ lives easier, cheaper, faster, and more fun. But are we ready for them?
After all, our society hasn’t quite mastered traditional driving yet. Auto accidents remain a leading cause of catastrophic injury and death, the overwhelming majority of which are the result of purely preventable negligence. But the question of whether we are ready for major change warrants sober consideration. Our best chance for success in a new frontier is a clear understanding of what awaits us there.
In that light, let’s look at a few of the fast-emerging innovations and trends in transportation — their promises, their risks, and the extent to which they can be governed by existing law. If you or a loved one is involved in a car accident, contact Tucker Lawyers at (516) 399-2364 for a free consultation.
Why should you contact Tucker Lawyers?
Tucker Lawyers are committed to helping you during a challenging time. If you sustained injuries from a car accident, we will help you determine your options and take legal action. We will also support you throughout your case and fight to help you get fair compensation or your entitled insurance benefits. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team so we can learn more about your situation, assess your needs, and tell you how we can help.
We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients and have positive testimonials from those we have represented.
Uber and Lyft: The taxi of Tomorrowland
Taxis have persisted as mainstays for decades, relatively unfazed by technological advancements. Then, more than a decade into the app era, Uber and Lyft came into the game, changing everything with their ridesharing services. Ride-sharing is conceptually different from taxis, and Uber and Lyft are often more efficient than taxis and at a cheaper fare.
However, the novelty they had at their inception soon wore off with the dangers faced by drivers and passengers. One thing that became apparent is that Uber and Lyft were not immune to car accidents. According to a study, accident-related fatalities increased by 3% annually since ridesharing services were introduced.
One reason for this is the improper screening of drivers, as most are considered freelancers on contract with Lyft or Uber. While both companies have taken steps to improve the safety of drivers and riders, accidents still happen; when they do, one question we get as personal injury lawyers is “Who is liable for damages?”
Uber and Lyft provide some limited coverage for their drivers, and drivers are also advised to have special commercial insurance coverage before they can operate a rideshare vehicle in New York. Under New York law, they must have at least $100,000 in liability insurance for bodily injuries. However, knowing who to file a claim against in an Uber or Lyft accident is not always clear, so you should contact our New York car accident lawyers if you find yourself in one.
Finally, while Uber and Lyft have addressed the danger to drivers to some extent, other innovations have yet to be addressed as quickly.
Smartphones are still a problem
Legal voids are more accessible to fill than cultural vices are to cure. So, while the law has evolved to make ride-sharing safer and as reliable as taxis, there isn’t as much a legislature can do to change hearts and minds. Maybe most drivers can concede that other people’s texting is a problem. However, the self-perception of invincibility leads many to conclude that they can safely use smartphones behind the wheel. No one really can, of course, but that myth is powerful.
Smartphone usage while driving contributes to distracted driving accidents.
From texting to making videos to posting on social media, smartphones have worsened distracted driving. Research found that distracted driving causes nine deaths and over a thousand injuries daily in the U.S. Also, 1.6 million crashes yearly are attributed to using a phone when driving.
As a result, New York enacted laws to punish drivers who engage in distracted driving. For example, when caught texting and driving, aside from fines, the involved driver may face license suspension and have points added to their driving record. Should distracted driving lead to a fatal accident, the consequences become more dire.
Sadly, however, the laws have not stopped texting and driving among drivers, especially young adults and teenagers. This means more stringent actions need to be taken to curb smartphone usage when behind the wheel and increase driver safety.
Drivers? Where we’re going, we don’t need drivers.
Another danger drivers face due to technological advancement is self-driving cars. Most people agree that there are catastrophes in the making. Of course, it is incredible to be writing about self-driving cars. It’s one of those “How’d we get here?” moments. Yesterday’s sci-fi is today’s reality.
Mind you, neighborhood dealerships don’t have them, but industry experts insist that could change in just a few years. They’re already in production, with some major companies on board, most notably Google.
Most Americans consider self-driving cars dangerous, with 93% concerned about the dangers they pose. The FBI issued an official warning about their vulnerability to co-opting for terrorism. NBC, TIME, USA Today, and scores of others have featured expert op/eds raising severe concerns about their safety. Indeed, the general rap on self-drivers is that they’re neat in theory and frightening in reality.
According to a report, self-driving vehicles don’t eliminate human error but are twice as likely to cause an accident. Americans do not trust self-driving technology to keep drivers and pedestrians safe, and they fear the autopilot technology might malfunction when they are on the road. There’s also the fear of reliability, cost, hacking, vehicle lifespan, and privacy.
So, while self-driving cars remain a good dream, that’s all it might be, as the fantasy of errorless driving might be too good to be true.
Problems are only problems until they’re solved
In giving voice to safety concerns about today’s emerging technologies, it is essential to note that just about every technology in history met an early audience of naysayers. This article does not suggest we cannot solve these dangers. Instead, it merely demonstrates that we haven’t found them yet.
Governments, markets, and cultures have historically managed to rise to the occasion when otherwise promising developments face vital limitations. Progress has a way of paving its path. Like everything else in life, there is a high likelihood of changes in transportation. However, with technological growth and advancement, we must prioritize safety so that New Yorkers can go about their daily lives without the unreasonable risks of a traffic accident.
The role of Tucker Lawyers
Evidently, technological advancements will continue, and how this shapes drivers’ safety remains to be seen. But at Tucker Lawyers, we will always be there to represent you and fight for your rights as an injured victim of a traffic collision. We are always available to attend to you, and you can call us at (516) 399-2364 to speak to our attorneys or schedule a consultation.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]