Who Is Liable for a Self-Driving Vehicle Accident?

According to Business Wire, it is expected that by 2030, there will be 20.8 million autonomous cars in the United States. An autonomous vehicle, also called a self-driving or driverless vehicle, is one that can perform necessary functions without human intervention. Just like with other vehicles, accidents are a possibility with self-driving cars. If you are injured in an autonomous vehicle accident, you may wonder, “who is liable for my injuries and damages?” Determining liability after being injured in an autonomous vehicle collision can be complex. Contact a qualified attorney if you have suffered injuries in a self-driving car collision. A skilled lawyer can help determine who is liable for your injuries and damages. An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of self-driving car accident cases. That said, some parties who may be responsible for a self-driving vehicle accident include a human driver, the car manufacturer, the software developer, and the car owner.

Causes of Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents

The following are some of the common causes of autonomous vehicle accidents;

• Software bugs: Self-driving vehicles are controlled by complex software. If there is a bug in the software, it can result in the software malfunctioning. This can result in an accident when the vehicle does not know what to do or how to behave.
• Technological problems: For example, if there are errors in the cameras or sensors, an autonomous vehicle may be unable to interpret the environment. This can lead to improper decisions, misinterpretation of road conditions, and unexpected behaviors that can lead to an accident.
• Environmental stimuli: Adverse weather conditions can compromise sensor accuracy and make it challenging for an autonomous car to interpret its surroundings.
• Human intervention challenges: A self-driving car may still need a human driver whose work is to intervene and take control when the need arises. Changing from self-driving to human-driving modes in an autonomous car can be challenging. An accident can happen if the human driver is not prepared to intervene and take control.

Potential Liable Parties in an Autonomous Car Accident Case

Determining liability in a self-driving car accident case can be challenging. However, the following are some of the potentially liable parties in an autonomous car accident case;

• A human driver: If there was a human driver in the autonomous vehicle and the driver was negligent, they may be liable. For example, the human driver may be liable if they could not intervene and take action because they were distracted by their phone.
• The autonomous vehicle manufacturer: The manufacturer may be liable if the vehicle’s design or manufacturing was flawed and the flaw contributed to the accident.
• The software developer: If a software issue caused an autonomous vehicle accident, the company that made the software could be liable.
• The car owner: Owners of self-driving cars have a duty to ensure their vehicles are safe. Neglecting to maintain an autonomous vehicle’s features may shift liability to the owner.

Contact Us for Legal Help

Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you navigate the complexities of self-driving car accident cases. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, Melbourne, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale areas.

Source:

businesswire.com/news/home/20180831005410/en/U.S.-Autonomous-Car-Market-2018-2023—20.8#:~:text=It%20is%20expected%20that%2C%20by%202030%2C%20there%20will%20be%20some%2020.8%20million%20autonomous%20vehicles%20in%20operation%20in%20the%20U.S