People often tout autonomous or self-driving vehicles as the future. The idea is to eliminate human error as a cause of serious collisions. Several vehicle manufacturers now offer semi-autonomous software in cutting-edge vehicles. Other states have also seen the rollout of autonomous taxi cabs that provide on-demand, driverless transportation.
Autonomous vehicles may end up involved in collisions, and they may even be the vehicle at fault for the crash. Who is liable when an autonomous or self-driving vehicle causes a collision?
Liability can be a complex matter
New Jersey lawmakers have proposed but have yet to pass legislation authorizing fully autonomous vehicles. For the time being, existing statutes and court precedent guide the allocation of liability if people end up involved in crashes caused by autonomous vehicles.
Most of the time, drivers are still liable. They should be alert and in control of the vehicle even when using self-driving functions. The failure to continue monitoring traffic conditions and maneuver appropriately may make a driver ultimately liable if they cause a crash while relying on self-driving mode in a vehicle.
However, as self-driving vehicles become more common, people may eventually need to pursue product liability claims against manufacturers. If software and sensors fail, leading to serious collisions, vehicle manufacturers may ultimately be liable for the crashes that occur.
Anyone involved in a collision related to an autonomous vehicle may need assistance as they assess liability and pursue compensation, and that’s okay. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help people assess insurance compensation and explore other options for car crash compensation, such as product liability lawsuits.