Tesla Autopilot Accident Statistics and Other Driver-Assist/Autonomous Driving Technology Crash Data Released

Within just 10 months, automated vehicles and vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems were involved in 522 crashes in the US. Of those crashes, 274 – or 52 percent – involved Tesla cars.

These were new findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), spotlighting the safety performance of technology-assisted, self-driving, or autonomous vehicles on the road.

The agency collected data from July 1, 2021 to May 15, 2022, after ordering automakers to report collisions involving vehicles with advanced driving technologies. From these data, the NHTSA generated two reports, one focusing on vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and another on automated driving systems (ADS).

Injuries and Fatalities with Driver-Assist and Autonomous Cars

Cars with advanced driver assistance systems are those that have automated features for speed and steering, but still require a human driver. Examples of these features are collision warnings, automatic brakes, adaptive cruise control, and smart parking assistance. Most popularly, such features are incorporated in the “Autopilot” mode of Tesla vehicles and in the “Sensing” suite of newer Honda vehicles.

The following are NHTSA’s findings on ADAS crashes:

• In the 10-month period, cars with advanced driver-assist systems were involved in 392 collisions.
• 273 of those crashes (nearly 70 percent) involved Tesla vehicles. This was followed by Honda cars (90 crashes) and Subaru cars (10 crashes).
• Of the 392 total accidents, six resulted in fatalities. Of these six fatal crashes, five involved Tesla vehicles.
• 27 other crashes resulted in moderate to serious injuries.
• Among the states, California had the most ADAS accidents: 125 crashes in 10 months.

Meanwhile, the NHTSA’s other report looked into vehicles with automated driving systems – more advanced car technologies that don’t require human drivers. A well-publicized example is Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” mode. Although ADS technologies are still in development and not yet available to the public, a number of ADS-equipped vehicles have already been operating on publicly-accessible roads.

These are the NHTSA’s findings on ADS-involved crashes:

• In the 10-month period, cars with automated driving systems were involved in 130 collisions.
• 62 of those crashes (48 percent) involved Waymo vehicles. This was followed by Transdev cars (34 crashes) and Cruise cars (23 crashes).
• Of the 130 total accidents, 4 resulted in moderate to serious injuries.
• Among the states, California had the most ADS accidents: 90 crashes in 10 months. (It’s worth noting that much of the testing of driverless cars – including those of Waymo, Tesla, and Cruise – is in California.)

These numbers once again highlight safety concerns around tech-assisted vehicles, especially driver-assist technologies that are publicly available and becoming more ubiquitous on the road today. In addition, the reports raise a question that more and more commuters now ask: What happens if I get injured by an automated car?

Who is Liable in a Driver-Assist/Autonomous Car Crash?

Laws on road safety need to catch up to advanced driving technologies. As more motorists face the risk of driver-assist crashes, they should also know the legal remedies available to them in the event of an injury in a car accident.

In California, existing statutes apply to crashes involving newer automated technologies. The state’s fault-based system dictates that the party who caused the accident is liable to pay for resulting injuries and losses. Typically, that party would be the at-fault car driver. However, with ADAS vehicles, more legal issues may arise. For instance:

• What if the car’s software had a glitch?
• What if the car’s system was affected by a cyber attack?
• What if the car’s sensors simply failed?

It’s possible for a carmaker or even a third party to be liable in a driver-assist car crash in California. However, establishing who was at fault will take skilled investigation and in-depth knowledge of applicable laws. For victims who were injured in such a collision, it’s crucial to get the help of a competent attorney.

Within just 10 months, automated vehicles and vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems were involved in 522 crashes in the US. Of those crashes, 274 – or 52 percent – involved Tesla cars.

These were new findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), spotlighting the safety performance of technology-assisted, self-driving, or autonomous vehicles on the road.

The agency collected data from July 1, 2021 to May 15, 2022, after ordering automakers to report collisions involving vehicles with advanced driving technologies. From these data, the NHTSA generated two reports, one focusing on vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and another on automated driving systems (ADS).

Injuries and Fatalities with Driver-Assist and Autonomous Cars

Cars with advanced driver assistance systems are those that have automated features for speed and steering, but still require a human driver. Examples of these features are collision warnings, automatic brakes, adaptive cruise control, and smart parking assistance. Most popularly, such features are incorporated in the “Autopilot” mode of Tesla vehicles and in the “Sensing” suite of newer Honda vehicles.

The following are NHTSA’s findings on ADAS crashes:

• In the 10-month period, cars with advanced driver-assist systems were involved in 392 collisions.
• 273 of those crashes (nearly 70 percent) involved Tesla vehicles. This was followed by Honda cars (90 crashes) and Subaru cars (10 crashes).
• Of the 392 total accidents, six resulted in fatalities. Of these six fatal crashes, five involved Tesla vehicles.
• 27 other crashes resulted in moderate to serious injuries.
• Among the states, California had the most ADAS accidents: 125 crashes in 10 months.

Meanwhile, the NHTSA’s other report looked into vehicles with automated driving systems – more advanced car technologies that don’t require human drivers. A well-publicized example is Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” mode. Although ADS technologies are still in development and not yet available to the public, a number of ADS-equipped vehicles have already been operating on publicly-accessible roads.

These are the NHTSA’s findings on ADS-involved crashes:

• In the 10-month period, cars with automated driving systems were involved in 130 collisions.
• 62 of those crashes (48 percent) involved Waymo vehicles. This was followed by Transdev cars (34 crashes) and Cruise cars (23 crashes).
• Of the 130 total accidents, 4 resulted in moderate to serious injuries.
• Among the states, California had the most ADS accidents: 90 crashes in 10 months. (It’s worth noting that much of the testing of driverless cars – including those of Waymo, Tesla, and Cruise – is in California.)

These numbers once again highlight safety concerns around tech-assisted vehicles, especially driver-assist technologies that are publicly available and becoming more ubiquitous on the road today. In addition, the reports raise a question that more and more commuters now ask: What happens if I get injured by an automated car?

Who is Liable in a Driver-Assist/Autonomous Car Crash?

Laws on road safety need to catch up to advanced driving technologies. As more motorists face the risk of driver-assist crashes, they should also know the legal remedies available to them in the event of an injury in a car accident.

In California, existing statutes apply to crashes involving newer automated technologies. The state’s fault-based system dictates that the party who caused the accident is liable to pay for resulting injuries and losses. Typically, that party would be the at-fault car driver. However, with ADAS vehicles, more legal issues may arise. For instance:

• What if the car’s software had a glitch?
• What if the car’s system was affected by a cyber attack?
• What if the car’s sensors simply failed?

It’s possible for a carmaker or even a third party to be liable in a driver-assist car crash in California. However, establishing who was at fault will take skilled investigation and in-depth knowledge of applicable laws. For victims who were injured in such a collision, it’s crucial to get the help of a competent attorney.

Contact an Autopilot Car Accident Attorney in San Diego County

The Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers are highly trusted in Southern California for complicated car accident cases. Our accident attorneys have over 20 years of successful experience under their belt, and they stay keenly up-to-date on regulations around autonomous vehicles. We are ready to help you find your best legal options to get compensated.

Consult with us for free. We won’t charge you lawyer fees until we obtain compensation for you. Call us today at (619) 550-1355.

The Hamparyan Personal Injury Lawyers are highly trusted in Southern California for complicated car accident cases. Our accident attorneys have over 20 years of successful experience under their belt, and they stay keenly up-to-date on regulations around autonomous vehicles. We are ready to help you find your best legal options to get compensated.

Consult with us for free. We won’t charge you lawyer fees until we obtain compensation for you. Call us today at (619) 550-1355.