Trial Lawyers Lobby Against Autonomous Vehicles, Article Reports
6 reported
An article from marginalrevolution.com reports that trial lawyers have been lobbying against autonomous vehicles for nearly a decade, despite evidence that driverless operations can be substantially safer than human driving. The article cites data from Waymo and a joint analysis with Swiss Re showing that over 220 million miles driven, Waymo vehicles in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta have 94% fewer serious injuries, 82% fewer air bag deployments, and 93% fewer pedestrian injuries. The American Association for Justice, the trial lawyers’ lobby, is identified as a prominent opponent to AV legislation, joined by Democrats concerned about labor and demanding heavy trucks be excluded. The article suggests that trial lawyers earn significant income from litigating auto accidents, with annual U.S. auto insurance payouts estimated at $180–220 billion. It proposes that a system similar to the UK’s Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018, where a single motor insurer covers the vehicle regardless of driver, would compensate victims faster and reduce litigation costs.
What’s reported
Roughly 37,000–40,000 Americans die in auto accidents every year, according to the article.
Waymo vehicles have 94% fewer serious injuries, 82% fewer air bag deployments, and 93% fewer pedestrian injuries over 220 million miles driven.
The American Association for Justice has been lobbying against AVs for nearly a decade.
Annual U.S. auto insurance payouts are on the order of $180–220 billion.
Waymo vehicles are insured at $5 million liability coverage per vehicle.
The UK’s Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 uses a single motor insurer covering the vehicle whether human or automated system is driving.
Key figures
American Association for Justice (trial lawyers’ lobby)
Waymo (autonomous vehicle company)
Swiss Re (insurance company, joint analysis partner)
Andy Hall (mentioned as hat tip)
Jon Slotkin (mentioned as hat tip)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
