SELF-DRIVING CAR ACCIDENTS

Determining liability in driverless car accidents can be especially difficult.

It was not so long ago that the idea of a computerized car that was able to drive itself was the subject of James Bond movies and sci-fi novels. Today, you see driverless card and semi-automated vehicles all over Los Angeles. While manufacturers of the vehicles claim that they are safer than human drivers due to their not suffering from factors like sleepiness or distracted driving, what they don’t even attempt to claim is that they can’t cause accidents – either directly or indirectly.

As with any accident, determining the cause of a particular crash can be complicated, but with a driverless vehicle the determination can be much more difficult. The current law will hold the operator of the driverless vehicle liable for damages done by his/her car as they are required to be ready to assume control of the vehicle in most circumstances.

Complicating this, however, is the fact that the manufacturer itself can be dragged into the case if there is a claim that the vehicle failed to drive safely in some way. This can mean defects in the design, manufacture, or adequate testing of the vehicle prior to it coming to market and can mean everything from the sensors, GPS, and complex software and operating systems that all have to work harmoniously in order for the car to drive itself (and it’s passengers) safely.

All this is to say that figuring out liability in a case in which you or the other driver was being driven by your car requires many layers of expert analysis of the car, the collision, and the investigation of the crash. In addition, the laws regarding autonomous vehicles are evolving rapidly, making it much more difficult for victims to get compensation in cases involving them.

This is why it is so important to contact a skilled attorney if you are ever involved in a car accident, especially one involving a self-driving vehicle. In a situation like this, we at Slatter Law Firm know the steps to take, and will fight to get you (or your loved ones) the compensation you deserve. As a boutique firm, when you call Slatter Law you can speak to real attorneys (not just their secretaries) and even a founding partner -giving you real access to real legal advice when you need it. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, please call us today for your free consultation at (310) 405 0964 or toll-free at (888) 293-0404.