Self-Driving Car Accident Liability

Many of us are still fascinated by the fact that we now have cars that can drive themselves.  This new technology opens a whole new question in the legal world- who is liable if there is an accident while a car is driving itself?

Naturally, a car cannot be held responsible for an accident, but is the owner responsible when he or she was not actually driving? What if the owner was not even in the vehicle, but rather using the ability to have the car drive and park itself? Should the manufacturer be held liable?

While these cars seem futuristic and beyond our time, there can nevertheless be problems that arise.

Two Sides of the Argument

Self-driving cars are supposed to have sensors that detect people or other cars around them. However, no product is perfect. Because these cars use new technology, there will be some inevitable trial and error at the start. There are two arguments to be discussed.

A large majority of the population thinks self-driving cars can be beneficial. For example, this high-tech technology eliminates driver error, helps with parking, and potentially reduces insurance premiums. Furthermore, these cars receive updates, so new features are always being released. Companies such as Uber and Lyft have implemented this technology to have self-driving cars pick people up and drop them off. Self-driving cars are the future.

On the other hand, it has also been proven that these cars are not perfect. In fact, there have been incidents where these cars have slowed down traffic due to malfunctions, caused accidents, some of which have even been deadly. With that in mind, people question whether the risks of these cars outweigh their benefits.

Who is Liable?

The ultimate question by someone who has been injured by a self-driving vehicle is- who should be held responsible? With a lack of legal precedent, many have trouble answering that question. It will also depend on a number of factors.  For example, if the owner was in the vehicle and not paying attention, the owner could perhaps be responsible. On the other hand, if there was a problem with the vehicle itself, the manufacturers may be liable. In some cases, there could be several people at fault. Determining who is liable differs on a case by case basis because every accident is different. This is why you will benefit from hiring an attorney to discuss what happened and put his or her expertise to good use for help.

Contact Us

Whether you were injured in a self-driving car accident or a traditional car accident, the attorneys at ReidGoodwin are here to help. Our initial consultations are always free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge unless and until you win your case.

Call us today at: (804) 415-7800.

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