Everything You Need To Know About Self-Driving Cars in Colorado Springs
If you have ever been on one of those long drives, taking the family home for the holidays or heading out of town for a business conference, you have probably entertained the fantasy of clicking on “auto-pilot” and checking out for a while. That fantasy may be reality sooner than you think. Industry experts believe that we could see the first signs of that in as little as four years, and the first self-driving cars could roll off the lines in about 15 years.
This new technology has ramifications in many aspects of daily life; one of the more pressing being safety issues. How will this affect potential driver safety in Colorado Springs? Read on to find out how this technology stands now and in the future, and learn how a car accident lawyer might be beneficial for you.
The Beginnings of Self-Driving Technology
The technology has been in existence for quite sometime now. Automated systems such as adaptive cruise control has been around, in primitive form, since the mid-1990’s. Safety features such as blind-spot alert, brake assist and lane assist are becoming available amenities on models and trim levels across the automotive industry. These systems can literally override the driver and apply brakes, steer the wheel or control acceleration, all in the name of keeping drivers safe.
While some of these features only work at low speeds or for a brief amount of time, the technology, at least in rudimentary stages, is there. Furthermore, these safety systems are seeing growth every year, due to high demand by the consumers.
Preventing Accidents with Smarter Cars
There are many benefits to this new tech, including saving lives. According to one study, this technology could decrease the rate of accidents to a tenth its current number, thereby saving hundreds of billions of dollars every year and thousands of lives. Essentially, self-driving cars eliminate human error from the equation, which, as any insurance company will tell you, is the primary reason for high insurance rates.
The existing technology, with certain models and insurance companies, already offer discounted rates just for adding these improved safety features. Industry insiders clearly believe that advancing this technology even further will reduce the potential for car accidents exponentially.
The Dangers of Self-Driving Cars
On the flipside of the potential safety boon of self-driving cars is the fact that no technology is perfect. Tests have already shown that these vehicles do not perform as well under less than ideal conditions, such as adverse weather. That creates a worrisome scenario, as the unpredictability of self-driving automation could lead to a number of negative results.
Furthermore, the software that guides these vehicles relies heavily on GPS maps and satellite information. However, not all of the roads in the US are properly mapped; some are also outdated, as road construction is a truly evolutionary process. This could lead to cars getting lost, being involved in collisions or even cars running off the road.
Without proper guidance, the self-driving vehicle becomes a potentially huge liability to the safety of its passengers.
Contacting a Colorado Springs Car Accident Lawyer
This technology will continue to progress over the next several years and is nowhere near consumer-ready. At Heuser & Heuser, we are continuing to monitor this ongoing process. We know how important safety is to drivers in Colorado Springs and take particular interest in safety measures across the automotive industry.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact us today. We offer 24/7 online consultation and free case review. We have decades of experience representing clients just like you, so don’t hesitate to contact Heuser & Heuser today, your Colorado Springs car accident lawyer.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know What My Case Is Worth?
There are a variety of things we look at when evaluating your case and determining its value. We look at how the accident occurred. We look at what sort of injuries you sustained. Do you have a permanent injury that will last the rest of your life? Are you going to have future medical bills? We look at lost wages. Did you lose your job? If you have permanent work restrictions as a result of the accident, you may not be able to find a job very easily in the future. These are some of the factors that we look at in evaluating a claim. Every case is unique and different. That’s why at our law firm, every case gets personal attention from the lawyer when it comes time to evaluate.
Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer?
Insurance companies are in business for a reason: to make money. Anytime they are paying money on a claim, it means less money to their bottom line. They have literally hundreds of adjusters and hundreds of lawyers who are on their side trying to figure out how to prevent money from leaving their checkbooks. Quite frankly, you do need a lawyer to help you through this because your lawyer will make sure you’re properly compensated.
Do Cases Settle Without Going to Court?
Cases settle before going to trial 80 to 90 percent of the time. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work involved in getting a case settled outside of court. Sometimes you have to file a lawsuit and do a lot of what I call “legal maneuvering” to get a case settled. That means we take depositions from witnesses to the accident, from police officers, and from your doctors. But, yes, most cases will settle prior to trial.
Do You Get Good Results for Your Clients?
We do get good results for our clients. We have settled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases where we’ve had large settlements. We’ve had substantial verdicts. We go to the mat for our clients if necessary. We’ll appeal cases. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure our client is taken care of.
See What Our Clients Say
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Our Attorneys
Gordon J. Heuser, Esq.
As a Colorado Springs native, Gordon has been practicing in Southern Colorado for 35+ years.…
Barkley D. Heuser, Esq.
Barkley Heuser is a Colorado native, and has lived in Colorado Springs for over 59…
Brennan D. Heuser, Esq.
Brennan Heuser is a Colorado Native who graduated from the University of Miami, Fl with…
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Want To Learn More About Your Colorado Car Accident Case? Download Our EBook, On Us!
We wanted to find a way to make your car wreck case even easier for you. That is why we wrote this guide that will provide you with the critical information you need to know about your car accident case.
As car accident law professionals, we have seen too many individuals lose out on their maximum owed compensation. Don’t miss out on the settlement you deserve! In this book, you will learn how to:
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No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
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