Suing for Robotaxi Crashes in Manhattan

Earlier in 2024, Mayor Eric Adams approved the use of robotaxis in New York. Within the next few months and years, we can expect these driverless vehicles to arrive on the streets of Manhattan – and they could change the way we get around forever. While robotaxis are futuristic and exciting, they are also worrying for many residents. The technology has the potential to be safe, but robotaxis in other cities have caused a number of horrific accidents. What can you do if you were injured by a robotaxi in Manhattan?

When Will Robotaxis Arrive in New York? 

New York has more taxis than any other American city, and some say this makes robotaxi adoption inevitable. While New York City has already approved a robotaxi program, it may be some time before we see any of these vehicles on our roads. This is because New York lawmakers require much more rigorous safety testing procedures than we have seen in other cities.

Although companies are welcome to attempt to meet the requirements of this new program, it could be more challenging than it’s worth. Perhaps most notably, applicants would need to submit considerable testing safety data, information about previous crashes, and more.

Another notable detail is the requirement for “safety drivers.” Unlike cities on the West Coast, New York will not permit fully driverless vehicles. Instead, there must always be a driver ready to take the wheel if something goes wrong.

New York lawmakers are well aware of past controversies involving robotaxis. Home to Silicon Valley, San Francisco was the obvious first choice for widespread robotaxi testing. But this experiment seems to have failed after a number of high-profile crashes. The most memorable of these crashes involved a pedestrian dragged 20 feet before the robotaxi’s software registered the presence of a human under its wheels. Since this incident and many others like it, San Francisco has paused its robotaxis programs. There were even reports of enraged residents setting fire to robotaxis on the street.

What Happens if I Get Injured by a Robotaxi in New York? 

Despite New York’s strict safety regulations, it is a question of “when” robotaxis arrive – not “if.” When these vehicles arrive, victims who are injured by robotaxis could file lawsuits directly against the companies responsible for their operation. This is exactly what the injured pedestrian did after being dragged in San Francisco. Although robotaxis represent complex software, their crashes would likely lead to relatively straightforward injury lawsuits.

Key Takeaways 

• Robotaxis have been approved for use in New York City
• Robotaxis have been involved in a number of serious accidents in other cities
• Victims may be able to sue the robotaxi companies directly after accidents

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in Manhattan Help? 

Whether you have been injured by a driver, a self-driving vehicle, or a robotaxi, you deserve compensation for your auto injuries in Manhattan. A New York City auto accident lawyer may be able to help you cover medical expenses, missed wages, and other damages. To learn more about your legal options, consider calling Cohan Law, PLLC at your earliest convenience.

Sources: 

theverge.com/2024/3/28/24108894/nyc-autonomous-robotaxi-safety-driver-permit-eric-adams

autoweek.com/news/a60357152/autonomous-vehicle-testing-nyc-requirements/