Car Accidents in Autonomous Vehicles
As self-driving cars become more common on Georgia roads, the odds of them being involved in car accidents increase. Collisions involving autonomous vehicles raise factual and legal implications that may make personal injury claims more complex. Although many autonomous car accidents occur due to driver negligence, inherent problems with self-driving cars may also lead to devastating crashes.
What Makes Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Different?
Various circumstances can make accidents involving self-driving vehicles different from car crashes involving traditional vehicles, including:
- Drivers may overestimate the automated driving system of their vehicle and fail to pay attention to the road.
- Autonomous vehicle manufacturers may exaggerate the automated driving systems of their vehicles in advertising.
- Self-driving features may malfunction or disengage in the moments leading up to a crash without the driver noticing.
Ultimately, autonomous vehicle accidents may involve conflicts over liability between the autonomous vehicle’s driver and manufacturer.
Who Is Liable for Autonomous Vehicle Accidents?
Various parties may bear liability for an autonomous vehicle accident, depending on the cause of the crash. A negligent driver who fails to monitor their vehicle while in autonomous mode may bear responsibility for a crash they could have avoided by intervening and resuming manual control. In some cases, the autonomous vehicle’s manufacturer may be liable for a crash caused by a design or manufacturing defect in the vehicle. Determining who is responsible for accidents involving autonomous vehicles may require reviewing various pieces of evidence, such as:
- Police crash reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Surveillance, traffic camera, or dashcam footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Car computer data logs
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony and reports
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Self-Driving Car Accident
People who get into autonomous car accidents can take steps to put themselves in a favorable position to seek financial recovery for injuries and losses. Things you should do after being involved in a self-driving car accident include:
- Report the accident to the police and request a copy of their crash report
- Seek prompt medical treatment and follow your doctor’s recovery plan
- Obtain copies of your medical records
- Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts for expenses you incur during your recovery
- Find copies of your pay stubs or income statements if you miss work or need to transfer to a lower-paying, modified-duty role
Finally, contact a car accident lawyer from Geiger Legal Group, LLC, as soon as possible to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation in a car accident claim.
How Geiger Legal Group, LLC, Can Help
Recovering from a car accident can take up much of your time and energy, regardless of whether the accident involved driverless cars or traditional vehicles. Hiring legal counsel can free you to focus on healing as your attorney handles the details of your legal claims. An auto accident attorney from Geiger Legal Group, LLC, can help you with your accident recovery by:
- Thoroughly investigating the crash to recover evidence for your case
- Identifying potentially liable parties, such as a negligent driver or the autonomous vehicle manufacturer
- Documenting your injuries and losses
- Calculating your ongoing and future expenses
- Filing your claims and dealing with insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, and other parties
- Vigorously pursuing maximum compensation for you through a settlement or by taking your case to court and trial
Contact Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers for Help
If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident with a driverless car, get the legal help you need to navigate the complex issues that may arise in your case. Contact Geiger Legal Group, LLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident attorney to discuss your legal options for securing the financial recovery you deserve.
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