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- Autonomous vehicles raise complex legal questions about liability following a crash.
- Manufacturers, technology suppliers, and owners are some of the parties who can be liable for a driverless vehicle accident.
- The level of automation involved, whether there was a technological malfunction, and whether the self-driving system had disengaged before a crash can influence liability.
- Fully self-driving cars can further complicate at-fault insurance systems, where liability is traditionally assigned between drivers involved in a crash.
- You can rely on NST Law for expert legal advice on self-driving car accidents and how state laws may impact your case.
The introduction of autonomous vehicles to our roadways presents some novel and potentially complex legal questions. In a traditional car accident, liability typically falls on one or both drivers. But who is responsible when one of the cars has no driver?
In many cases, self-driving cars will still have a driver behind the wheel who may be liable, depending on the circumstances. Manufacturers, owners, or operating companies may be responsible for crashes involving fully autonomous vehicles. If you’re facing a complicated legal case after a self-driving car accident, the NST Law team is here to help.
Traditional Car Accident Liability vs. Self-Driving Car Accidents
In traditional car accidents, liability is determined by finding whether a driver was negligent or committed a human error. In self-driving car accidents, human control is either minimal or absent, complicating the process of identifying who is liable.
Potential Liable Parties in a Self-Driving Car Accident
If no driver is directly involved in the crash, multiple other parties can be liable for a self-driving car accident. Some potential examples of responsible parties include:
The Vehicle Manufacturer
The company that built the autonomous vehicle can be liable for defective design in the self-driving system, whether it’s an issue with software, hardware, sensors, or something else. They can also be negligent in failing to properly test the product, issue adequate warnings or instructions, or address manufacturing errors.
Technology Suppliers
Producers of specific components or software used in the self-driving car may be liable if the products they made malfunctioned.
The Vehicle Owner or Operator
The company that owns or runs the vehicle could be held responsible if its actions led to a crash, such as failing to maintain the car or improperly disabling safety features.
Depending on the level of autonomy the vehicle is operating on, the human driver behind the wheel could be liable for actions taken while intervening or failing to intervene when necessary.
Other Negligent Third Parties
Other drivers involved in the crash could still be traditionally liable based on their own negligence. Road crews, municipalities, or others responsible for road conditions could also contribute to a self-driving crash through negligent maintenance.
Factors Influencing Liability Determination
In this new area of law, many different factors could potentially contribute to the liability of a self-driving vehicle. Possible key elements may include:
- Level of Automation: Most autonomous vehicles currently in use require the presence of a driver to operate safely and legally. Whether a driver was supposed to be present and whether they intervened when necessary could influence liability in an accident.
- System Malfunctions: Given the sheer amount of precision technology involved in computerized driving, even minor software or sensor failures can cause serious crashes.
- “Disengagement” Scenarios: When a self-driving system malfunctions or detects a likely hazard, it may disengage and relinquish control to the driver. Liability may shift from the driver, manufacturer, or operator depending on how and why the system disengaged.
- Data Logs and Evidence: Information retrieved from a self-driving vehicle’s “black box” may help determine how an autonomous system behaved before a crash, including whether it disengaged and why.
- Relevant State Laws: Different states, including Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri, may have different laws regarding self-driving car accidents. It’s important to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer for a driverless vehicle crash claim, as this emerging area of law may change quickly.
The Role of Insurance in Self-Driving Car Accidents
Traditionally, states either adopt an at-fault or no-fault system for car insurance. While no-fault systems should compensate accident victims without much change, at-fault cases may be complicated by the introduction of autonomous vehicles. Rather than weighing liability between two or more drivers, an insurer may have to determine whether several parties involved in the operation of a driverless car were negligent and to what degree.
In the near future, insurers may issue new types of coverage or modify existing policies to address self-driving car accidents and streamline liability determinations.
If you’re involved in an autonomous vehicle accident, it’s important to consult with a skilled attorney to ensure you understand how your policy and insurance laws impact your situation.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help in a Self-Driving Car Accident
With the complicated and uncertain legal environment surrounding autonomous vehicles, having an experienced lawyer on your side is critical.
With over 35 years of experience fighting for injury victims and billions recovered, NST Law has the expertise and resources to take on self-driving car cases. We’re committed to keeping informed and staying on the cutting edge of autonomous vehicle laws in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri.
Our compassionate legal team can thoroughly investigate your self-driving car accident and identify all potentially liable parties. We’ll then gather key evidence, such as data logs, and build a strong case to successfully navigate the complex legal and insurance issues in this field. We’ll fight hard to maximize your compensation and get you a fair deal, even if that means going to trial.
Throughout the legal process, we’re committed to providing compassionate care, transparency, personalized service, and accessible representation. Here are some testimonials from car accident clients we’ve served:
Ms. Susan and Mrs. Christi were awesome.After my children and I were injured in a car accident they made sure we were completely well and got us a more than a fair compensation. They treated us like we were family. The atmosphere was peaceful and we were never rushed. They always had time for our phone calls and visits. They truly want the best for us. I will recommend them to anyone that needs a lawyer. Thank you both so much. The Golden Family.
I was unsure who to choose after my car wreck, but now I am happy I chose NST. Paralegals and lawyers are diligent and responsive always kept me updated and seemed to care about me. Thanks NST
NST they were the best they keep you updated on everything that’s going on with your case. They were fast and very patient with me guiding me through the case. If you ever need any law services regarding car accident lawsuits etc pls give them a call !!!!
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If you’ve been hurt in a self-driving car accident, the Champions For The Injured are ready to fight for you. Contact NST Law online or call us at 800-529-4004 today for a free consultation with our expert legal team.
