Liability for a crash caused by a self-driving vehicle failure can fall on the vehicle manufacturer, the company that developed the autonomous software, the suppliers that produced individual components, and even the human occupant of the vehicle. The answer depends on what specifically went wrong and which party’s negligence or defective product caused the accident. Since there is no federal law that directly assigns fault in autonomous vehicle crashes, these cases are generally handled through product liability claims under state law.
If you were injured in an accident involving a self-driving system that failed to operate safely, Meyers & Flowers can help you take legal action. Our trial attorneys have won over $6 billion for clients since our founding and will work just as hard for you on your case. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (630) 576-9696 or reaching out online.
The Vehicle Manufacturer May Bear Responsibility
The company that built the vehicle is often the first party examined in a self-driving failure case. If the autonomous system was integrated into the vehicle at the factory level, the manufacturer may be liable under a design defect or manufacturing defect theory.
A design defect claim argues that the self-driving system was fundamentally flawed from the start. A manufacturing defect claim focuses on a specific unit that was improperly assembled or installed. Manufacturers may also face failure-to-warn claims if they did not clearly communicate the limitations of their autonomous features to consumers.
The Software Developer Could Be at Fault
In many autonomous vehicles, the software controlling the driving system was created by a separate technology company. If the crash resulted from an error in the algorithm, such as a failure to detect a pedestrian or respond to a traffic signal, the software developer could be held responsible.
These claims often require expert analysis to demonstrate that the code itself was defective or that the system was not adequately tested before it reached the public.
The Human Occupant Might Also Share Liability
In certain situations, the person behind the wheel may also bear a portion of the blame. Many self-driving systems currently on the road still require the human occupant to remain alert and ready to intervene. If the driver was distracted or using the technology in a way it was not designed for, they could be found partially at fault. In states that follow a comparative negligence standard, this shared fault would reduce the victim’s recovery rather than eliminate it entirely, as long as the victim’s percentage stays below the state’s threshold.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Self-Driving Vehicle Failure Lawyer
Determining who is liable after an autonomous vehicle crash requires a thorough investigation and a deep understanding of personal injury law. Look no further than Meyers & Flowers, who has the experience needed to handle these cases and secure winning results on a national scale.
If a self-driving system failed and you were injured as a result, call us today at (630) 576-9696. Your initial consultation is free of charge, and you owe nothing in attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for you under our contingency fee payment structure.