--- description: DC car accident attorneys from Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. discuss a fatal pedestrian crash involving a self-driving Uber car, as well as important questions raised over safety concerns. title: Self-Driving Uber Car Kills Pedestrian | Washington, DC Accident Attorney --- Self-Driving Uber Car Kills Pedestrian | Washington, DC Accident Attorney # Uber Pausing Driverless Vehicle Projects After Pedestrian in Arizona Killed by Self-Driving Car Last Updated: November 19, 2025 Reading Time: 3 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 7 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » Uber Pausing Driverless Vehicle Projects After Pedestrian in Arizona Killed by Self-Driving Car What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $18.8 Million Car Crash $2 Million Car Crash $1.9 Million Car Crash $1.37 Million Car Crash $1.1 Million Car Crash $1 Million Car Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They were adamant about getting me the best settlement. Torkwase Akinalana Car Accidents Proved to be the perfect advocate Michael Bizik Car Accidents I highly recommend the law firm of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, and Siegel P.C. Anna Pastel-Powell Car Crash Mr. Siegel’s strong conviction, dedication, and determination prevailed in a legal victory. Gail Payne Car Accidents I knew I was in good hands once I stepped into their office. Gladys Ibeh Car Accidents They treated me like I was their only client, from beginning to end. Joy Lopez Car Accidents Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Watch our attorneys explain how they fight for car accident victims across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With over $1 billion recovered, our team knows how to build a winning case — from investigation through trial. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Ira Sherman, Joseph Cammarata, Stephen Ollar, Allan Siegel **Ira Sherman (00:02):** I would say that Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata and Siegel has a completely different outlook on cases that other people think are garden variety automobile accidents, because to the person who is involved in that accident, that’s not garden variety, that’s altering their life. **Joseph Cammarata (00:21):** First of all, we don’t advertise. People come to us by word of mouth, either from defense lawyers, from insurance companies, from colleagues at the bar. They know that we have decades of experience in the personal injury field. They know that what we bring to bear is a group of lawyers that work and non-lawyers that work as a team to make sure we understand what the nature and the extent of the injury is. We make sure we understand and can express to a third party just what those injuries are, and we work to obtain the most compensation that we can for an individual. **Stephen Ollar (01:04):** What we do a lot of is discovery, not just discovery of the facts of the case, but discovery about insurance. It may be that the individual was operating the vehicle for an employer, and if they were acting with what we call the course and scope of their employment, then there could be potentially additional coverage that would cover a person for those injuries. **Allan Siegel (01:27):** We’ve been handling car accident cases since Don Chaikin founded this firm over 50 years ago. Since we spend a lot of time and we have a lot of those cases, we have developed a level of experience and knowledge that I think is very unique in our field. There aren’t many law firms who can say that they’ve been doing this type of work for over 50 years. **Ira Sherman (01:52):** I care enough to look to determine who this person is and how it affected them, and that takes up a lot of my conversation with our clients. Uber has announced that it will cease all public roadway tests of[ self-driving cars ](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2014/06/how-will-self-driving-cars-change-our-roads/)after one of its autonomous vehicles struck and [killed a pedestrian i](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2017/04/uber-resumes-testing-self-driving-vehicles-after-collision-in-arizona/)n Tempe Arizona late Sunday evening. According to the rideshare company, which has been a champion of driverless technology and self-driving commercial trucks, Uber will pull all driverless vehicles from public roads in Arizona, as well as in San Francisco, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. While the crash is still being investigated, authorities do know that it occurred in the early morning hours when a self-driving [Uber](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/uber-lyft/) vehicle traveling north struck a 49-year-old woman crossing the street. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries. At the time of the crash, a safety driver was behind the wheel, but the vehicle was being operated fully autonomously by the driverless technology. The wreck may be one of the first self-driving vehicle accidents to involve a pedestrian death. ### Self-Driving Cars & Safety Concerns Sunday’s tragic accident is shining a spotlight on driverless vehicle technology, which is slated to be the [future of our roadways](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2017/09/legislation-on-self-driving-cars-passes-the-house/). Although new advancements like this are exciting, they also raise many questions and concerns. Some of these include: - **Testing on Public Roads** – Sunday’s fatal pedestrian accident involved a self-driving Uber vehicle that was part of ongoing testing in Arizona, a state that has openly encouraged the development of driverless technology. Today, more and more driverless vehicles, including self-driving tractor-trailers and commercial trucks, are being tested on public roadways. Because this poses greater risks to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians than tests on controlled roads, there are many questions over whether the technology is truly ready to be tested in a public environment. This is largely why Uber has pulled its projects from Arizona and other cities following the crash, and why it may slow the introduction of self-driving cars to the public marketplace. - **Regulations **– Uber tests self-driving cars in multiple cities across the country, but its largest projects are in Arizona. That’s because Arizona has welcomed driverless technology at a time when other states are reluctant to allow autonomous vehicles on public roads. Unfortunately, that also means there are virtually no regulations in place governing the vehicles and how they’re used, as well as few laws regarding issues such as liability in auto accidents. The recent crash may lead states like Arizona to pass better legislation, especially laws to protect the public and injured victims, before autonomous vehicles can travel open roadways. - **Safety Drivers** – There was one occupant in the self-driving Uber at the time of the [pedestrian accident:](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/2016/07/study-says-drivers-prefer-passenger-safety-over-pedestrian-safety-when-it-comes-to-self-driving-cars/) a safety driver. This driver is intended to take control of the vehicle in certain situations, including those involving emergencies. However, the vehicle was being operated autonomously at the time of the crash. Many experts and safety advocates have raised questions about whether safety drivers are truly effective behind the wheel of self-driving trucks, as it becomes natural for humans to become complacent or inattentive when a task is being performed by a computer. This, they say, is all the more reason to ensure driverless technology is advanced enough to ensure safety at all times it is being used on public roads. - **Ethical Dilemmas** – Among the most challenging concerns to address when it comes to driverless vehicles are those involving ethical dilemmas, or situations where technology must make difficult decisions between the “lesser of two evils.” This often comes in the form of decisions involving life or death, such as when a vehicle must decide between crashing into a barrier and injuring passengers or risk hitting a pedestrian with a greater likelihood of death. These types of dilemmas and [hypothetical situations](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2016/07/study-says-drivers-prefer-passenger-safety-over-pedestrian-safety-when-it-comes-to-self-driving-cars/) aren’t always handled well by human drivers, but they must be decided upon collectively by our society and lawmakers and programmed into driverless technology. Uber’s recent accident will likely result in an increased focus on this issue. Uber’s fatal [pedestrian crash](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/pedestrian-accidents/) is a tragedy, and one that must be addressed comprehensively if driverless vehicles are to be the future of the auto industry. That includes ensuring technology is up to par and tested properly prior to their proliferation on our roadways. While self-driving vehicles may reduce risks posed by driver negligence and error, they introduce new risks and concerns of their own. As with any product or new technology, development and profits should not compromise public safety, or result in these risks being overlooked. Our legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has been fighting on behalf of injured victims and families throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia for over 45 years. During that time, we have seen how new technology and trends have created new risks, as well as how laws have adapted to address new issues. As personal injury lawyers, we’re prepared to help victims fight for the justice and compensation they deserve – whether they’ve been harmed by a negligent driver or as the result of new technology. If you would like to discuss a [car accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/) case with a member of our team, [contact us](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) for a free case evaluation. [Watch Our Video Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. serve the entire Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Virginia](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/virginia/) ([Northern Virginia car accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/northern-virginia/), [Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/auto-accident-attorneys-in-arlington-va/), [Fairfax County auto accident claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/fairfax/), [Woodbridge](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/woodbridge-va/), [Manassas](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/manassas-va/), and [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/alexandria/)) and Maryland ([Bethesda](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/bethesda/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/hyattsville/), [Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/rockville/), Lau Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. 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