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Passengers in Uber's self-driving cars waived right to sue for injury or death [View all]
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/sep/26/uber-self-driving-passengers-pittsburgh-injury-death-waiver
Passengers in Uber's self-driving cars waived right to sue for injury or death
The company has rolled out a self-driving fleet in Pittsburgh. But passengers might not be aware of how experimental the pilot still is
Mark Harris in Seattle
Monday 26 September 2016 15.36 EDT
Anyone requesting an Uber ride in a 12-sq mile area in the center of Pittsburgh might now be randomly allocated a self-driving Ford Fusion rather than a human-operated vehicle.
But passengers riding in Uber’s computer-controlled cars today might be surprised at just how experimental the technology is. According to documents obtained by the Guardian under public records laws, until as recently as June anyone not employed by Uber riding in one of its autonomous vehicles (AVs) had to sign a legal document waiving the company of any liability for their injury or death.
<snip>
All rides are currently free during the trial.
<snip>
Public passengers today do not have to sign any such waiver, and Uber confirmed to the Guardian that all riders in self-driving Ubers are covered by $5m of accident insurance, in line with pending legislation in Pennsylvania.
“It’s possible that, by not charging for rides, Uber’s pilot program avoids Pennsylvania’s rules for taxicabs,” says Bryant Walker-Smith, a professor at the University of South Carolina. “Courts generally hold that providers of transport for hire have a heightened responsibility for the safety of their passengers. However, I’d expect a court to hold Uber to a similarly high standard if its program were to result in injury.”
<snip>
Passengers in Uber's self-driving cars waived right to sue for injury or death
The company has rolled out a self-driving fleet in Pittsburgh. But passengers might not be aware of how experimental the pilot still is
Mark Harris in Seattle
Monday 26 September 2016 15.36 EDT
Anyone requesting an Uber ride in a 12-sq mile area in the center of Pittsburgh might now be randomly allocated a self-driving Ford Fusion rather than a human-operated vehicle.
But passengers riding in Uber’s computer-controlled cars today might be surprised at just how experimental the technology is. According to documents obtained by the Guardian under public records laws, until as recently as June anyone not employed by Uber riding in one of its autonomous vehicles (AVs) had to sign a legal document waiving the company of any liability for their injury or death.
<snip>
All rides are currently free during the trial.
<snip>
Public passengers today do not have to sign any such waiver, and Uber confirmed to the Guardian that all riders in self-driving Ubers are covered by $5m of accident insurance, in line with pending legislation in Pennsylvania.
“It’s possible that, by not charging for rides, Uber’s pilot program avoids Pennsylvania’s rules for taxicabs,” says Bryant Walker-Smith, a professor at the University of South Carolina. “Courts generally hold that providers of transport for hire have a heightened responsibility for the safety of their passengers. However, I’d expect a court to hold Uber to a similarly high standard if its program were to result in injury.”
<snip>