IIHS Recognizes the Benefits of Tesla Autopilot

For years, Tesla has been touting the benefits of its Autopilot technology, and the safety features that it offers consumers. Tesla also claims that this technology can reduce insurance rates by preventing the number of accidents that occur.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently acknowledged the benefits of Tesla Autopilot’s crash avoidance features, saying that it resulted in less physical damage, and fewer injury liability claims. However, they did find an increase in other types of claims.

The IIHS examined insurance claims between 2012 and 2014 that were made on Model S vehicles and compared them to the claims made on the Model S vehicles between 2014 and 2016. Tesla’s Autopilot was introduced after 2014, so the vehicles tested during the period between 2012 and 2014 would not have been equipped with safety features like forward collisions warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot warning.

Since the most recent version of the Autopilot came out in 2016, IIHS only examined the first generation of Autopilot. All of the safety features were not available during the testing period, because Tesla made a number of improvements to the active safety features between 2014 and 2016.

Significant Reductions in Property Damage and Injury Claims

Researchers from IIHS found the following results after examining the insurance claims during the two time periods:

• The driver assistance features on the 2014-2016 Model S reduced the number of claims filed under property damage liability by 11 percent, and bodily injury liability coverage by 21 percent, compared to the 2012-2014 Model S.
• According to the IIHS, there was no significant effect on the frequency of collision claims.
• IIHS did find an increase in MedPay claims, which cover at-fault drivers and passengers in the driver’s vehicle, and PIP claims.

According to a senior vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), in order to fully understand the effect Autopilot is having on insurance claims, additional data is needed about the number of Teslas that are equipped with the Autopilot technology, and how often it is used.

According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla announced that its crash rate was reduced by 40 percent, after Autopilot was introduced. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, stated that the company would begin releasing quarterly Autopilot safety reports. But this information has not yet been made available.

In addition to providing the public with a general awareness of Autopilot’s safety features, this information would also benefit Tesla owners’ insurance rates.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Assist Injured Car Accident Victims with the Claims Process

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a car accident involving a Tesla vehicle, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. While the Autopilot technology has shown promising results when it comes to preventing life-threatening car accidents, the technology is still relatively new. Our experienced team will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and hold the responsible party liable for your injuries. We will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.