For about $1,000, drivers can buy a device that allows them to take their hands off the steering wheel while their car handles much of the driving. The technology can be installed in hundreds of vehicle models, including cars that were never designed to offer hands-free driving.
Now, the company behind that device, Comma.ai, is under federal investigation following five reported crashes involving its technology, including crashes that left three people dead. The investigation raises concerns about how reliably these systems respond to traffic and what happens when drivers trust them too much.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened its investigation in September after identifying a troubling pattern. In each reported crash, a vehicle equipped with Comma.ai technology struck another vehicle that was stopped or moving slowly in the same lane. Investigators are examining whether the systems failed to recognize or respond to traffic ahead, but they have not yet determined whether Comma.ai's technology is defective or responsible for the crashes.
The investigation does raise questions about liability in a car accident when a driver relies on an automated driving technology system that may not perform as expected.
How Comma.ai Turns Ordinary Cars Into Hands-Free Vehicles
Unlike driver-assistance systems automakers install, Comma.ai sells equipment consumers can add to compatible vehicles they already own. Its devices connect to a vehicle's existing systems and use cameras and software called openpilot to help control steering and speed. According to the company, the technology works with more than 350 vehicle models, including cars that were never originally marketed as offering hands-free driving.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, approximately 30,000 vehicles have Comma.ai equipment installed. The company says its users have collectively driven more than 400 million miles with the technology and maintains that its system includes driver-monitoring safeguards.
Still, taking your hands off the steering wheel doesn't mean a car can drive itself safely. Comma.ai's technology requires a driver to supervise the vehicle, even when the system is handling steering and braking.
Crashes Put Comma.ai's Safety Features Under Review
The crashes NHTSA identified share a concerning detail. The vehicles that were struck were stopped or moving slowly in the same lane, situations drivers and automated systems must recognize and respond to.
One of those incidents occurred in Missouri in 2025. According to The Wall Street Journal, a Honda Accord equipped with Comma.ai technology struck another vehicle stopped at a red light. The Honda was reportedly traveling approximately 80 mph, and the driver later told first responders that he had configured the automation to allow him to sleep. An occupant of the stopped vehicle suffered severe injuries.
The driver's reported admission is difficult to overlook. Falling asleep behind the wheel is dangerous regardless of what technology a vehicle has installed. The crash also highlights the safeguards meant to keep drivers from relying too heavily on these systems.
Comma.ai says its technology includes a camera that monitors the driver's eyes and head position and issues alerts when it detects inattention. The company has also emphasized that its system doesn’t eliminate the driver's responsibility to remain attentive.
Federal investigators are examining how the system performed in the reported crashes, whether its driver-monitoring safeguards were effective, and whether modified versions of Comma.ai's software may have played a role.
When Both the Driver and the Technology May Be Responsible
A driver who falls asleep behind the wheel can't simply blame the technology when something goes wrong. The driver's actions also don't necessarily settle every question about what caused an accident.
The driver may have failed to pay attention while a driver-assistance system also failed to perform as intended. If the technology didn't recognize a stopped vehicle or respond in time to avoid a crash, the company that developed it could face questions about whether the product was reasonably safe.
Texas law allows injured people to pursue claims against negligent drivers and, under certain circumstances, manufacturers or sellers of defective products. Depending on the evidence, more than one party could potentially be responsible.
In a case like this, I would want to know when the system first detected the stopped vehicle, whether it attempted to brake, and what warnings the driver received. The answers could help establish whether the driver ignored alerts, the system failed to recognize the danger, or both.
That information may be found in electronic records rather than the police report. The software version installed at the time of the crash could also matter, particularly if the driver had modified it. For someone injured in a crash involving automated technology, a Texas car accident attorney may need to look beyond the drivers' actions to determine whether the technology itself contributed.
Drivers are drawn to this technology for a reason. Long commutes and highway driving can be exhausting, and the idea of a car handling much of that work is appealing. However, this convenience can become dangerous when drivers start treating assistance as something they no longer need to supervise.
While the NHTSA hasn’t determined what caused the crashes involving Comma.ai devices, its findings could eventually help clarify the roles of driver behavior, software performance, and safeguards. For people injured in these accidents, that information could be important in determining who should be held responsible.
The Cochran Firm Texas represents individuals and families injured in serious motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving driver-assistance technology, contact the firm or call 1-800-843-3476 to discuss your legal options.
