Fresh Concerns Over Self-Driving Vehicles and EVs in San Francisco

San Francisco is a popular testing ground for new automobile technology, especially in terms of EVs and self-driving software. However, this technology can be much more dangerous than it initially appears – and innocent residents often pay the price of these experiments. Robotaxis might seem like a good idea, but they have caused considerable injuries after being introduced to San Francisco’s streets. The same can be said for EV technology, with many of these vehicles crashing across the Bay Area. Can a San Francisco car accident lawyer help after one of these accidents?

Three People Die in Cybertruck Fire in Bay Area

In November of 2024, three people lost their lives after their Tesla Cybertruck crashed and caught fire. This was a single-vehicle crash that apparently involved a high rate of speed. Despite the purported sturdiness of the block-shaped Cybertruck, its front completely wrapped around a tree upon impact before catching fire. 

Fortunately, one of the occupants’ iPhones automatically called 911 when it sensed a crash. However, this technology was not enough to save the three victims. First responders arrived and desperately attempted to quell the flames of the EV’s electric motor – but they were unable to rescue any of the three victims. A fourth occupant was pulled from the front seat by a good Samaritan, and they survived with critical injuries. 

Firefighters later stated that their extinguishers were “completely ineffective” at fighting this EV fire. Tesla vehicles are known to produce flames that are far more difficult to fight than normal engine fires. This is in part due to the intense heat of an electric motor, which remains hot long after the crash. This heat continues to fuel existing fires, which are often laden with toxic fumes. It is a well-known fact that Tesla motors rely on various toxic chemicals and metals. 

Cruise Agrees to Hand Over $500,000 for Lying About Crash

Also in November 2024, the robotaxi company Cruise admitted that it had lied about a crash in 2023 and agreed to pay a fine of $500,000. This crash made headlines around the world, and it involved a woman being dragged and severely injured by a self-driving vehicle. This story was particularly alarming because the software did not “register” the presence of a human being underneath the vehicle – despite her desperate screams for help. 

This was also the crash that led to Cruise’s robotaxis being banned from San Francisco streets. The company subsequently “made a false report” to federal investigators in an attempt to influence their consequences. The Department of Justice warned Cruise and other self-driving companies to “be fully truthful in their reports to their regulators.” 

Human-Driven Taxis Can Be Just as Dangerous

While new technology raises justifiable concerns, human-driven vehicles are still more than capable of causing injuries. In November of 2024, a taxi crashed into a concrete pole in San Francisco. To make this incident even more shocking, the driver of the taxi exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot. 

Fortunately, no passengers were inside the vehicle when it crashed – but this still highlights the potential recklessness of human taxi drivers. This is especially true in regard to hit-and-runs, which a self-driving vehicle would never commit. A recent study states that although there have been many alarming incidents involving robotaxis, self-driving vehicles are still safer than human-operated vehicles on average. 

There are a few major exceptions to this rule, however. First, self-driving vehicles seem to be more dangerous than human-driven vehicles at dusk and dawn. This implies that this software struggles to operate in changing light conditions – when the sun is either rising for the first time or setting. 

Secondly, self-driving vehicles become more dangerous than human-driven cars whenever they are turning. The researchers found that when tasked with completing a turn, a self-driving vehicle is twice as likely to cause an accident compared to a human driver. This is an alarming statistic since turning is a major part of driving – especially in a busy city like San Francisco. 

Contact Mary Alexander & Associates for Legal Help After a Car Accident

If you have experienced a car accident in San Francisco, it makes sense to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. A crash involving a robotaxi or EV can lead to considerable compensation, and you can use this compensation to pay for medical expenses and missed wages. Of course, any car accident should lead to compensation if you were harmed by someone else’s negligence. To discuss your legal options in more detail, consider a consultation with Mary Alexander & Associates. Schedule a consultation today to get started with an action plan.