Who might be liable in a self-driving car accident?

Have you ever seen a car moving without anyone behind the wheel? The technology is impressive, but when something goes wrong, figuring out who is responsible becomes complicated. Self-driving car accidents can place liability on multiple parties. The right answer depends on what caused the crash and whether the accident involves human error, a system failure, or both. 

A Murfreesboro car accident lawyer at Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers can review your case, explain who may be at fault, and help you move forward if you were involved in a self-driving car accident.

When are drivers or vehicle owners liable in self-driving car accidents?

While autonomous vehicles are capable of driving and executing various functions, a human driver and the vehicle’s owner are responsible for maintaining the vehicle and keeping its software up to date. 

Human error can still contribute to accidents, even if the nature of their involvement is different from that of the average driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines the different levels of automation and what role drivers play during these various settings. 

When drivers fail to stay alert or keep the vehicle properly updated, they may share fault for the accident under Tennessee’s comparative fault rules. Even when automated driving vehicles take over certain functions, human oversight still matters, and if human error contributes to property damage or injuries, the driver or owner may be held liable.

When are manufacturers liable for self-driving car accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the goal of automated driving systems is to improve safety and reduce the number of car accidents. With every new iteration of these technologies, strides are made to improve the function and safety features of the driverless vehicle. 

When companies fail to meet required safety standards or release an autonomous car with engineering or mechanical defects, they may be responsible under product liability laws. This includes errors in engineering and production of automated vehicles.

When are software developers liable for self-driving car accidents?

For an autonomous car to be possible, it requires the right software in the vehicle. From various safety features to automatic, self-driving options, this technology must be carefully created, properly installed and calibrated, and maintained through updates over time. Software developers have a weighty responsibility to create sound programs and make sure sufficient testing is conducted to identify and resolve any glitches within the software before releasing it to the public. 

If a developer fails to test, update, or correct known issues, they may be held liable when that failure leads to car crashes. Software malfunctions can cause sudden braking, steering mistakes, or other dangerous errors on the road.

Can third parties be liable in a self-driving car accident?

When an accident involves a self-driving car, there is always the possibility that a third party could also be responsible for causing the collision. This could include other motorists who are negligent, pedestrians who cross the street outside of designated areas, and government entities for poor signage or road conditions, to name a few examples. In instances like this, fault may be shared among multiple parties and can add to the complexity of these cases. 

Because several parties may share responsibility, establishing fault in an accident involving a self-driving vehicle often requires a careful, step-by-step investigation.

Lawyers can help establish liability for self-driving car accidents in Tennessee

If your crash involves a self-driving vehicle, an attorney can identify who is responsible and explain how Tennessee’s comparative fault rules apply to your situation. Our experienced legal team reviews the driving system data, investigates potential manufacturing or software defects, and gathers the evidence needed to show why the responsible party should be held liable.

Using this evidence, a lawyer will show that the party at fault was obligated to ensure safety but, through careless action, failed to take the proper steps to do so. As a result, this party contributed to an accident and put others in danger. As such, the at-fault party must pay the injured party for the damages they caused them. 

Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers are ready to help you with your self-driving car accident claim

At Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, we understand how overwhelming a self-driving car accident can feel, especially when you’re unsure who is responsible. Our team keeps you informed at every stage of the process, even when there isn’t a major update, because staying connected matters. We review every detail, negotiate with insurers and manufacturers, and work to protect your rights from day one. 

To learn more about your options and get started with your claim, call our office at (615) 220-4180 or schedule a free consultation online today.