Free Consultation
(512) 910-2000Written by TK Injury Lawyers, reviewed by Trent Kelly on September 28, 2015
Supporters of self-driving vehicles say they are safer than those operated by humans. Autonomous vehicles don’t drive while tired, drunk, under the influence, or while texting. Even though the law mandates that trucking companies require their drivers to follow a strict sleep schedule and log their hours, there are still many preventable truck accidents caused by fatigue, human error or failure to follow the law and/or guidelines.
Driverless trucks know how to stay in their own lane, change speeds, avoid collisions, and certainly don’t get angry or cut other drivers off intentionally. These new autonomous trucks are equipped with dash-cameras that range 100 meters in order to read road signage, keep the trucks in the correct lane, and scan for vehicles they may need to avoid.
Driverless vehicles are neither hesitant nor heavy-footed. They drive the speed limit, and their acceleration and deceleration are smooth and even – which helps to prevent rear-end collisions and saves on fuel consumption. Autonomous truck convoys drafting one behind the other could use less fuel as air resistance is reduced. Communication between the trucks would coordinate changes in speed and direction.
Currently, the autonomous license to drive Nevada’s freeways requires a person to ride in the driver’s seat in case human intervention is required. Time will tell if these autonomous vehicles will actually make our roads safer.
Have you been involved in a truck accident in the Austin area? Call the experienced personal injury professionals at TK Injury Lawyers. An attorney is always available at 512-910-2000 to provide a free initial consultation and case evaluation.
Trent Kelly obtained his law degree from the University of Arkansas in 2007. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and regularly assists clients with their legal matters. Trent’s practice is primarily focused on personal injury matters – particularly those involving motor vehicles (such as cars, commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and motorcycles) and wrongful death – but he also handles various business litigation matters as well. Click here to take a look at some complex cases Trent has resolved.
Years of experience: +15 years
Location: Austin, TX
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Trent Kelly, who has more than 15 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury trial attorney.
According to a recent study by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration—the agency responsible for regulating the trucking industry—trucks equipped with electronic ho...
Truck accident liability can be complicated, and trucking companies can often be liable for accidents and injuries. Claims against companies can be challenging, so you wa...
Recently, a video of a dump truck driving through an Austin intersection and causing an accident involving 4 other vehicles has gone viral. The dash cam video shows the m...
Trucking Accident Facts and Statistics Of the more than 272 million vehicles registered across the U.S., nearly 2.9 million are commercial tractor-trailers and thousands...
Tell us about your case and our attorneys will contact you promptly