{"id":3377,"date":"2018-09-30T21:17:23","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T01:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accidenttampa.com\/?p=3377"},"modified":"2023-04-25T07:11:26","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T11:11:26","slug":"autonomous-vehicles-are-here-what-to-do-in-case-of-an-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accidenttampa.com\/autonomous-vehicles-are-here-what-to-do-in-case-of-an-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Autonomous Vehicles Are Here: What to Do In Case Of An Accident"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-driving cars seem like a novelty, but we\u2019ve been talking about them since the 1930s<\/a>.<\/h2>\n

Back then, people were so confident in the technology that we predicted autonomous vehicles to become the norm by the 60s, though it\u2019s fair to say we fell a bit behind on that initial schedule.<\/p>\n

But, for better or for worse, driverless cars are here, even if they are not as widespread as some had hoped. In 2015, Google operated the first autonomous car prototype under Alphabet Inc., and then more and more companies started to follow suit, the most famous being Tesla. Experts predict that almost all vehicles will be autonomous by 2050.<\/p>\n

However, even if a driverless car\u2019s primary selling point is that it\u2019s safer because it removes the threat of human error, accidents<\/a> could still happen. In 2016, a passenger in a Tesla autonomous car died because the autopilot couldn\u2019t properly function due to weather condition<\/a>, and slammed into a tractor. Another recent accident involved an Uber self-driving car that killed a pedestrian. If manufacturers manage to take out the kinks and guarantee a safe vehicle, the question remains: who is responsible for an autonomous car accident?<\/p>\n

What Does the Law Say?<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, the law is still trying to catch up with autonomous vehicles. It\u2019s understandable since driverless cars require an extended testing periods before manufacturers can sell them to the public, and apart from a few grim accidents over the years, there hasn\u2019t been that many incidents.<\/p>\n

Still, since several companies are developing autonomous cars, it only makes sense that states will adopt new legislation to regulate them. So, how are the states handling this new technology?<\/p>\n

Well, since 2011, 33 states have passed some legislation related to driverless vehicles, but the critical thing to remember here is that the way in which these cars are regulated is left up to each state.<\/p>\n

Because of that, some have more strict rules than others, Florida being in the latter category. In fact, Florida\u2019s been open for autonomous vehicles<\/a> for some time now and doesn\u2019t even require a special permit for them. In 2012, the state decided that a person with a valid driver\u2019s license can operate a driverless car. Companies can test their vehicles as long as they have $5 million in insurance.<\/p>\n

In 2016, these laws were revoked. Autonomous cars don\u2019t require a human operator present anymore, and companies aren\u2019t required a $5 million insurance policy. To translate this directly, Florida treats driverless vehicles the same as they do conventional cars.<\/p>\n

Who Is at Fault?<\/h3>\n

When speaking about driverless vehicles accidents, there are two leading causes to discuss:<\/p>\n

Car Malfunction<\/h4>\n

A possible car malfunction, which then leads to an incident where people get hurt, naturally blames the manufacturer, who did not take proper precautions to ensure their product is safe both for passengers and bystanders.<\/p>\n

Or, the fault may not belong to the car\u2019s manufacturer, but to the developer of the software. Assuming it is the case of a vehicle malfunction, whoever is responsible for it is liable, and victims can ask compensation for their injuries.<\/p>\n

External Interference<\/h4>\n

Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with the car, and other external factors are to blame, such as another vehicle or a person that causes the crash. This case requires an investigation to determine who is at fault and, as a consequence, liable to be sued.<\/p>\n

What Does That Mean for You?<\/h3>\n

To put simply, this is still uncharted territory, so if you are involved in an accident with an autonomous car, regardless of the position you are in, there is only one thing to do: call an accident lawyer<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\n

Whether you are the victim of the accident or the owner of a driverless vehicle involved in an incident where people got hurt, it\u2019s essential to hire a competent attorney<\/a> to represent you.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what a lawyer can do:<\/p>\n