Who is responsible when a self-driving car causes a car accident?

Self-driving cars are slowly but surely making their way into the hands of consumers in New York and elsewhere. There is no doubting that the technology is fascinating, but it is far from perfect. A recent car accident in another state is proof that even these vehicles fail to prevent injury or death.

It was recently reported that a self-driving Uber car struck and killed a 49-year-old woman who was walking her bicycle across a four-lane street. She was not in a crosswalk at the time of the crash. The local police are still investigating the incident, but they do believe that this accident would have been difficult for any driver to avoid for a number of reasons.

Why does a case that happened across the country matter? Car accidents involving fully automated, self-driving vehicles bring up a lot of legal concerns. Who can be held responsible for the collision? Attorneys from all over the country weighed in on this particular case and seem to agree that Uber, the safety driver and the vehicle’s manufacturer may all be liable for this collision. If the victim’s family were to pursue legal action, they may file claims against each of these parties in an attempt to seek compensation.

Self-driving cars aren’t likely to be going away. More of them are likely to be seen here in New York and elsewhere as time goes on. Anyone who suffers injury or loses a loved one in a car accident caused by such a vehicle may have legal recourse. An experienced personal injury attorney can help victims or — in the event of fatality — their surviving family members through the complex legal process as they fight to achieve maximum relief for their losses.

Source: msn.com, “Fatal self-driving-auto accident raises novel legal questions”, Tina Bellon, March 20, 2018