As technology continues to grow and advance, there may come a day when highways are filled with self-driving cars. Self-driving taxis are already in use in some places, and autonomous driving is being implemented in automobiles across the country. However, this raises some interesting questions about liability in self-driving car accidents.
Google, Tesla, Uber, and other tech giants are implementing self-driving technology to better society, but what happens when autonomous vehicles cause accidents? Many Americans (93%) are concerned about self-driving cars. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that self-driving vehicles are more than twice as likely to be involved in an accident as traditional vehicles.
Filing a car accident claim and determining self-driving car crash liability can be difficult. Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers can help you to determine who’s responsible for self-driving car accidents. Experienced legal teams recommend working with Englander Peebles to build a strong case and receive guidance on how to recover damages in self-driving car accidents.
New Autonomous and Self-Driving Technologies
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) acknowledges that most common car accidents are caused by human error. Since car companies are introducing driver-assistance technologies, cruise control, emergency braking systems, backup cameras, blind-spot detection, and lane assistance are standard features in most new vehicles. Most self-driving vehicles on the road today have autonomous modes, but they still require a driver. However, drivers with self-driving cars must be ready to take over when necessary. If they are not, this may cause an accident. In some cities, fully autonomous robots hit the roads and transport passengers to their desired destinations. These are the six levels of autonomous driving according to The Society of Automotive Engineers:- Level 0 has no automation, and drivers do everything.
- Level 1 drivers operate with minimal assistance except power brakes or power steering.
- Level 2 automation includes cruise control, but the driver remains in control.
- Level 3 cars can operate without the driver’s control, but the driver is still necessary and must be ready to take control at any time.
- Level 4 vehicles can operate under certain conditions without driver intervention, but the driver can take control if they wish.
- Level 5 vehicles are fully automated and can operate without a driver.