Self-Driving Cars Allegedly Block Ambulance in California
While many people believe that self-driving cars will eventually make California’s streets safer, others continue to raise important questions about the potential dangers of this technology. This debate has been renewed once again in the Sunshine State after an incident that apparently saw self-driving cars “block” an ambulance from leaving the scene of a crash. A pedestrian lost their life as a result, and authorities are now shifting the blame entirely onto the shoulders of the company that operated the self-driving vehicles.
This is not the first time a self-driving feature has come under fire.
Authorities Blame Patient Death on Self-Driving Vehicles
On September 3rd, it was reported that authorities in San Francisco were blaming the death of a patient on self-driving vehicles operated by the company Cruise. The issue seems to involve an ambulance that was trying to leave the scene of a car accident. The patient, who was rapidly losing blood after a serious car accident, lost their life inside the ambulance as the paramedic behind the wheel struggled to navigate around two Cruise vehicles.
The San Francisco Fire Department released the following statement about the incident:
“When we arrived at the scene, the only open lanes for egress from the call were blocked by two Cruise vehicles that had stopped and were not moving or leaving the scene. We were unable to leave the scene initially due to the Cruise vehicles not moving. This delay, no matter how minimal, contributed to a poor patient outcome.”
Cruise Pushes Back Against Negligence Claims
Faced with these accusations, Cruise was quick to release its own statement – countering claims made by the Fire Department. According to the company, the ambulance actually had a clear path to leave the scene. They stated that one vehicle “promptly cleared the area” after the light in the intersection green, while the other “yielded to first responders.” Cruise also argues that the ambulance left the scene “as soon as the victim was loaded into the [vehicle].” Finally, the company claims to have footage that backs up these claims – and that it has been trying to provide this footage to the Fire Department since August 14th.
Who is Right?
It is strange that the Fire Department and Cruise seem to have two diametrically opposed versions of the incident. Perhaps the only way to get to the bottom of this is through a trial, which may very well occur if the family of the victim decides to file a personal injury claim. One thing is certain: This is not the first time Cruise has been accused of interfering with first responders – and it probably won’t be the last.
Where Can I Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in California?
If you have been injured in a California auto crash, it makes sense to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Sometimes, it is not entirely clear where the fault lies. Various negligent parties can contribute to a crash, including those that plaintiffs might not even consider. During a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you can discuss who might have been responsible for your injuries and how to pursue compensation. Reach out to the Knez Law Group today to get started.
Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He then pursued his law degree at the University of La Verne College of Law in Ontario, California, where he earned various awards, including the CALI Award in Torts, and was on the Dean’s List. During his time in law school, Mr. Knez was a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic, working with individuals seeking asylum in the United States from countries where they faced persecution or threats of persecution. Additionally, he was an Associate Editor for the Law Review and published an article on California family custody move-away cases. Learn more here.