Who is Liable in a Car Accident Involving a Self-Driving Car?

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your car accident, both the owner of a self-driving vehicle and the manufacturer may be held liable in a crash.

It has been two years now since Albuquerque welcomed self-driving vehicles. Since that time, there have been increasing concerns about safety. When self-driving car accidents do occur, it raises legal issues in terms of liability. Depending on how and why the crash happened, both the owner of the vehicle and the manufacturer can be held liable for damages you suffer as a result.

Liability for Self-Driving Car Accidents

It was in July 2017 that Mayor Richard Berry decided to issue an “executive instruction” urging other public officials in Albuquerque to promote self-driving cars. In a news report by the Albuquerque Journal, he claimed that job creation, economic benefits, and increased public safety were all considerations that factored into his decision. While the move was designed to signal Albuquerque as a “forward thinking community,” it has since raised some concerns.

There have been numerous accidents across the country involving self-driving vehicles that have resulted in serious and, in some cases, fatal injuries. These accidents have created controversy regarding who was at fault; the self-driving car manufacturer or the owner of the vehicle. For example:

• A self-driving Uber accident in Phoenix which claimed the life of a pedestrian is being blamed on the vehicle operator. The Uber driver was reported to have been watching a television show on his smartphone at the time of the crash. The accident prompted Uber to pull self-driving vehicles out of the market.

• A self-driving motorcycle accident in San Francisco resulted in a lawsuit against GM, claiming the bike was defective. The manufacturer settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount with the driver, who suffered only minor injuries in the crash. It is one of numerous legal actions the company faces for self-driving car accidents.

Protecting Yourself Against Self-Driving Car Accidents

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 94% of all car accidents that occur on U.S. roads each year are the result of driver errors. Self-driving cars and automated features are designed to protect drivers from making these errors, but they still need careful monitoring. There are two ways you need to protect yourself against self-driving car accidents:

• Involving other motorists: If a motorist in a safe driving vehicle strikes you, get the appropriate insurance and vehicle registration to hold them and the manufacturer responsible.

• Involving your own self-driving vehicle: If you are in a collision in your own self-driving vehicle, make a note of any malfunctions or glitches that may have occurred before the crash. This could be important evidence in filing a claim.

Reach Out to Car Accident Attorney Ed Chavez, Jr.

Self-driving car accidents create complicated legal issues. If you are in this type of crash, reach out to the Law Offices of Edward Chavez, Jr. To request a consultation, call or contact Ed’s office online today.