Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was involved in an accident involving a driverless car or other autonomous vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Kishish Law Group today for your free and confidential case evaluation by completing our contact form or calling us toll free at 1 (888) 402-5552.

Autonomous vehicles, including driverless or self-driving cars, promise to change the way that people get around. Though companies have faced challenges in developing the technology, many industry leaders, like Tesla and Waymo, are pressing forward in development. In many ways, autonomous driving technologies are already present in modern cars. Tesla's Autopilot technology can navigate tight turns, accelerate, and brake in the car's lane. Hyundai's Smart Park technology can park your car without you needing to be behind the wheel. And more changes are coming quickly. In June 2020, the U.S. federal government announced a data sharing initiative to spur commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology.

Autonomous technology promises to provide a safer driving experience. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that fully self-driving cars "may prove to be the greatest personal transportation revolution since the popularization of the personal automobile nearly a century ago." But when autonomous technology fails, is hacked, or otherwise results in injury, who is responsible? Many states have enacted legislation to permit the development of driverless cars in their borders, but how to hold companies or individuals responsible for injuries remains an open question in many areas of the country. Volvo has announced that it will assume liability for crashes involving its self-driving cars, but other manufacturers have fought against imposition of liability against them, requiring users to acknowledge that they remain in control of the car.

If you have been in a car accident involving a self-driving car, the Kishish Law Group wants to help you recover against the responsible parties, whoever they may be. We can walk you through your legal options and help you decide whether pursuing legal action is right for you. A self-driving car accident lawsuit may help you recover medical bills, lost wages, and other costs related to your pain and suffering.

Are autonomous vehicles safe?

While autonomous vehicles may reduce human error in driving, computer problems and hacking still present safety risks. In 2019, over 36,000 people died in the United States in motor-vehicle crashes. The NHTSA says that 94 percent of serious crashes in the United States are due to human choices or errors in driving. Driverless cars promise to reduce driving errors—after all, unlike humans, computers do not need to sleep, cannot be distracted, and cannot consume mind-altering substances.

But this does not mean that driverless cars are perfectly safe. Even though the technology is still in its infancy, it has already killed pedestrians and vehicle occupants. In 2018, one of Uber's self-driving cars killed 49-year-old pedestrian Elaine Herzberg after its computer failed to classify her as a human. A review of Uber's policies showed that the company lacked any formal safety plan for its autonomous vehicles. Tesla's Autopilot system has also been involved in fatal crashes. In one crash, the driver's car ran into a safety barrier at 70 miles per hour and was then struck by two other vehicles.

Because driverless cars are dependent on sensor technology and computer software to interpret the world, errors or problems in the sensors or software can lead to fatal crashes. Sensors can fail or become damaged. Software can experience glitches. And sometimes, as in the case of Elaine Herzberg's death, the programmers that write the code can simply write bad code.

A further problem is the potential for driverless cars to be hacked. Like any technology that involves computers, hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in a car's computer software. In 2015, two hackers showed that they could turn on the AC, adjust the radio, turn on the windshield wipers, and cut the transmission of a Jeep Cherokee on an interstate highway from ten miles away. Would-be hackers do not even need sophisticated technology to tamper with driverless cars: a simple laser pointer can interfere with a car's sensing system.

These potential problems and others present the risk that driverless cars could cause significant harm to pedestrians and the users and passengers of driverless cars, despite their promised benefits to safety. When that harm happens, the occupants or manufacturers of the driverless car may be responsible and liable to those injured.

Do I have a self-driving car accident lawsuit?

A lawyer is in the best position to help you decide whether you have a lawsuit and ensure that you receive your maximum recovery. In our free and confidential case evaluation, the experienced lawyers and staff at the Kishish Law Group will help you work through your situation and assist you in determining the legal path forward. Contact us today for your case evaluation by completing our contact form or calling us toll free at 1 (888) 402-5552.

Last Modified: Oct 12, 2020

DISCLAIMER: No attorney client relationship will exist between you and our firm until we enter into a signed Retainer/Services Agreement. Completion of this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a Retainer/Services Agreement. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions this website may be considered lawyer advertising. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Click here for more information.

Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Are autonomous vehicles safe?

Do I have a self-driving car accident lawsuit?

Speak with an Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawsuits