The sleek promise of self-driving cars—hands free from the wheel as artificial intelligence navigates through traffic—has rapidly shifted from science fiction to reality on American roads. Despite their sophisticated technology, autonomous vehicles remain involved in accidents that can leave passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles with serious injuries. As these vehicles blur traditional lines of driver responsibility, determining liability becomes increasingly complex, often leaving injured victims unsure of their rights and wondering who bears responsibility when technology fails.
At Hollis Law Firm, our attorney helps injured clients navigate the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicle accident claims. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a self-driving car, understanding your rights is crucial to securing fair compensation. With 15 years of experience in personal injury law, our lawyer stays at the forefront of emerging technologies and liability concerns to provide effective representation in these cutting-edge cases.
Understanding Autonomous Vehicle Classifications
Not all self-driving vehicles are created equal, and the degree of automation directly impacts liability considerations after an accident. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established a widely accepted classification system that helps clarify responsibility in accident scenarios.
The SAE levels of driving automation include:
- Level 0: No automation; the human driver performs all driving tasks
- Level 1: Driver assistance; the vehicle can assist with steering OR acceleration/braking
- Level 2: Partial automation; the vehicle can control both steering AND acceleration/braking, but the driver must remain engaged
- Level 3: Conditional automation; the vehicle can perform most driving tasks, but human override is required when requested
- Level 4: High automation; the vehicle can perform all driving tasks under specific conditions without human input
- Level 5: Full automation; the vehicle can perform all driving tasks under all conditions without human input
Most vehicles currently on the road with “self-driving” features operate at Levels 1 or 2, requiring human oversight. However, as true Level 3-5 autonomous vehicles become more common, liability questions grow increasingly complex.
Understanding where a vehicle falls on this spectrum is crucial after an accident. The expected level of human intervention directly impacts who may be held responsible—the human “driver,” the manufacturer, the software developer, or some combination of parties.
Liability Challenges in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
When autonomous vehicles are involved in accidents, determining liability becomes more complicated than in conventional car crashes. These cases often involve multiple potentially responsible parties and require careful analysis of both human and technological factors.
Vehicle Manufacturers and Technology Companies
In accidents involving autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, the manufacturers and technology companies behind the systems may bear significant liability. Design defects, software glitches, sensor failures, or inadequate testing could all contribute to accidents that might not have occurred with proper development and quality control.
For example, if an autonomous vehicle’s sensors failed to detect a pedestrian in a crosswalk due to a design limitation, the manufacturer might be liable under product liability theories. Similarly, if the algorithm governing the vehicle’s decision-making prioritized certain safety factors over others in a way that caused harm, the software developer might share responsibility.
These cases often require extensive investigation, including securing the vehicle’s data logs, which record the system’s “decisions” and sensor inputs leading up to the accident. This digital evidence can be crucial in establishing what went wrong and who bears responsibility.
Driver Responsibility in Semi-Autonomous Vehicles
For vehicles with partial automation (Levels 1-3), the human “driver” may still bear some responsibility for accidents. Most semi-autonomous systems currently on the market require drivers to remain attentive and ready to take control when necessary.
If you were injured because a driver in a semi-autonomous vehicle was watching movies instead of monitoring the road when the system requested intervention, their failure to maintain proper oversight might constitute negligence. Conversely, if you were the driver of such a vehicle and were properly monitoring the system when it malfunctioned, your compliance with expected supervision might shift liability toward the manufacturer.
This gray area between human and machine control creates complex liability questions that often require expert testimony and thorough investigation to resolve fairly.
Insurance Considerations for Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Insurance coverage for autonomous vehicle accidents introduces another layer of complexity for injury victims seeking compensation. Understanding how insurance policies respond to these incidents can help you navigate the claims process more effectively.
Traditional auto insurance policies were designed with human drivers in mind, creating potential coverage gaps when autonomous technology is involved. Some insurance companies have begun developing specialized policies for autonomous vehicles, while others are adapting existing coverage to address these new scenarios.
If you’re injured in an accident involving an autonomous vehicle, multiple insurance policies might apply, including:
- The vehicle owner’s personal auto insurance
- The manufacturer’s product liability insurance
- The software developer’s technology errors and omissions coverage
- Component manufacturers’ liability policies
Identifying all potential sources of insurance coverage is essential to maximizing your recovery after an autonomous vehicle accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine which parties’ insurance should provide compensation and coordinate claims across multiple policies when appropriate.
Steps to Take After an Autonomous Vehicle Accident
If you’re injured in an accident involving an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, taking prompt action can help protect your legal rights and strengthen your claim for compensation. The unique nature of these accidents requires special attention to certain details.
After ensuring everyone’s immediate safety and seeking medical attention, be sure to:
- Note the make, model, and apparent automation level of all vehicles involved
- Take photographs of the accident scene, including any visible technology components like cameras, sensors, or radar units on the vehicles
- Gather contact information from witnesses who observed the vehicle’s behavior before and during the accident
- Report the accident to police and ensure they document the autonomous nature of the vehicle in their report
- Preserve any notifications, warnings, or alerts received from the vehicle before the accident
- Avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to insurance representatives without legal advice
The evidence in autonomous vehicle accidents can be highly technical and might require specialized expertise to interpret. Working with a lawyer familiar with these emerging technologies can make a significant difference in establishing liability and securing fair compensation.
Contact a Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Autonomous vehicle accidents present unique challenges that require experienced legal guidance. Our lawyer may be able to help you navigate these complex cases and pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
At Hollis Law Firm, we have collected over $100 million for our clients in settlements and judgments. Our approach is client-centered—we take the time to understand your needs, provide the education you need to make informed decisions, and take action based on your choices. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle, call us at (800) 701-3672 or complete our contact form.
