Electric vehicles offer many advantages such as reduced emissions, instant torque, lower operating costs, but they also present unique risks, especially when drivers place too much trust in automation, software, or system “self-driving” features. The car accident attorneys at the Perazzo Law Firm, together with their experience handling car accident claims, has shown that malfunctioning systems or overreliance on autonomy can turn routine driving into tragedy. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at the risks and pitfalls of over-relying on technology when operating, or not, a motor vehicle.
Why Overreliance on Technology Is Risky Modern
EVs often include advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS): autopilot modes, lane-keeping assist, collision warnings, braking assist, etc. These systems are beneficial when used properly, but they are not foolproof. Some of the inherent risks include:
System Malfunctions and Misjudgments
Modern electric and self-driving vehicles run on a symphony of sensors and lines of code, a digital orchestra meant to keep drivers safe. But when one note falls flat, the entire performance can turn into chaos. A single misread lane marker or faulty sensor can be the difference between a smooth drive and a collision. These systems, though designed to “see” the road, can sometimes go blind at the worst possible moment. In recent studies, experts have warned that even the most advanced Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can stumble under real-world pressure. A split-second software glitch or a security breach can send an autonomous car veering off course, like a pilotless plane caught in turbulence.
Inattention and Complacency Behind the Wheel
Technology can be a double-edged sword. While it promises safety, it often lulls drivers into a false sense of comfort. Many motorists treat their high-tech vehicles like chauffeurs instead of machines that still need supervision. It’s human nature to relax when the car seems to be in control, but that overconfidence can turn deadly. When a system fails, drivers often react too late, their hands hovering inches from the wheel but their attention miles away. Regulators have called out automakers for creating a dangerous illusion of autonomy, a digital lullaby that puts drivers to sleep behind the wheel.
Latency and Lag in Response
Even when the system is working as intended, it can move at the pace of a hesitant heartbeat. The delay between a sensor detecting danger and the car actually responding can be just long enough to spell disaster. In a split-second world where accidents unfold in the blink of an eye, that small lag can mean the difference between safety and tragedy. A self-driving system that hesitates is like a firefighter who freezes before grabbing the hose.
Sudden or Unsafe Driving Behavior
Reports continue to surface of vehicles with autopilot or driver-assist systems performing shocking, almost human-like mistakes such as running red lights, making erratic turns, or entering intersections without clearance. These are not isolated flukes; they are reminders that artificial intelligence can still think fast but act foolishly. What looks like confidence under the hood is often an algorithm’s guess, one that in the wrong moment can place innocent lives in jeopardy.
Electrical Hazards and Fire Risk
Beyond software, the physical heart of an electric vehicle, its battery, can also turn volatile. These massive lithium-ion packs store enough energy to power a home, but in a severe crash or due to internal defects, they can ignite like a fuse waiting for a spark. When an EV catches fire, it burns hotter, longer, and harder to extinguish, endangering not just drivers but also first responders who rush to help.
In a world racing toward automation, the lesson is clear: technology is a tool, not a replacement for attention. Even the smartest car can make a dumb mistake, and when it does, it’s the human behind the wheel who pays the price.
Real-World Examples in Florida
In North Miami Beach (October 2025), a Tesla collided with an SUV and caught fire, trapping the driver inside. Rescue efforts were reportedly hindered by the vehicle’s door and safety system design, raising serious concerns about accessibility during emergencies.
Additionally, a 2019 Autopilot-related crash in Florida led to a wrongful death lawsuit in which a federal jury in Miami found Tesla partially liable. The verdict cited that Autopilot failed to disengage or provide timely warnings, resulting in a fatal crash. The jury awarded over $240 million in damages to the victim’s family.
Federal Oversight and Ongoing Investigations
U.S. safety regulators have recently opened an investigation into approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles following reports that the Full Self-Driving (FSD) software may have violated traffic laws or contributed to accidents. These include instances of Teslas entering intersections on red lights or making abrupt and unsafe lane changes.
These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter safety standards, transparent software testing, and heightened public awareness about the limitations of self-driving technology. Drivers must remember that even the most advanced systems require human attention, judgment, and control to ensure safety on the road.
These investigations reflect broader concerns: autonomous and semi-autonomous systems may struggle in complex real-world conditions, and the line between driver and machine responsibility is legally and practically blurred.
What This Means for Drivers
- Always remember that even advanced systems are assistive, not autonomous. You must remain alert and ready to take control.
- After a crash involving an EV or a vehicle with ADAS, preserve all available data (video, telematics, logs). These may be crucial for establishing liability.
- If you are injured or lose someone in a collision where technology or system failure contributed, you may have strong grounds for a claim against manufacturers or operators of the software.
- In cities like Miami and Atlanta, where traffic is dense and speeds vary, system edge cases (complex intersections, urban obstacles) put a premium on human vigilance.
How Car Accident Lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm Can Help
At the Perazzo Law Firm, we have experience in handling collisions involving EVs and claims against manufacturers or third parties whose technology played a role. Our team can:
- Engage forensic experts to analyze vehicle logs, software behavior, and failure modes
- Determine whether negligence lies in design, software updates, sensor calibration, or driver instructions
- Negotiate with automakers, insurance carriers, or software providers
- Represent clients in court when necessary
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving an electric vehicle or assisted-driving system, contact the Miami car accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm. We offer FREE initial CONSULTATIONS and will aggressively advocate for your rights and fair compensation following injuries or losses in an accident.
