Who is at Fault in an Accident with a Self-Driving Car?

It’s the 21st century! Self-driving cars are no longer a futuristic ideal, but a reality. With Tesla spearheading the self-driving revolution and other car manufacturers looking to quickly catch up, self-driving cars will become more popular. So, what happens if you are involved in an accident with a self-driving car? Adolphe Law Group in Lake Worth has experienced personal injury lawyers who can help with your case when you need an accident attorney.

Given that nearly 400 car crashes with partially autonomous drivers have been reported, this may become a more common scenario. If you get hit and injured in a car accident with a self-driving car, you may wonder: who’s fault is it? To answer this question, it’s best to consult with a personal injury lawyer to examine your case.

Self-Driving Cars and Personal Injury: Who’s Responsible?

Self Driving Car Accident

In general, your Lake Worth car accident attorney will help you sue one or more parties responsible for an accident with a self-driving car. Here’s who you and your personal injury lawyer can hold responsible for your injury:

  1. Car manufacturer company for a faulty part or error with the manufacturing process. This could be relevant if a part malfunctioned or was not manufactured to code.
  2. Human driver for negligence. This compares to other personal injury cases where the driver is negligent while operating a motor vehicle. The driver may have run a red light, been distracted by their phone, or driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  3. Human driver for failure to maintain the vehicle. Car owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their cars. And, with a self-driving vehicle, there might be specific maintenance that is required to keep the vehicle working properly. If the owner did not follow the manufacturer’s instructions, they could be held liable. Self-driving cars have significantly more maintenance requirements than traditional vehicles, so this is an important consideration.
  4. Company that hired a human driver to control the car remotely. There are times when a human driver controls the car from another location. If there is an accident in this instance, the company that hired that driver may be held liable.

These are the four options of who you may be able to sue for your Lake Worth personal injury case. Based on the specific details of your case, your accident attorney will be able to help you decide the right course of action. Adolphe Law Group’s experienced auto accident attorneys will help you determine the next steps and who you should hold liable for damages and loss.

When to Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were in an accident or hit by a self-driving car, you might wonder who’s responsible and how you can be compensated for your injuries. This is a great time to consult a personal injury lawyer in Florida who can review your case and look at who is most appropriate to sue for damages.

Your Lake Worth accident attorney is available to answer any questions you have. If you’re ready to talk to a personal injury lawyer about your accident with a self-driving car, contact us at Adolphe Law Group. Our expert accident lawyers are ready to represent and fight for you.