San Antonio Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer

Once only the works of science fiction, our country is getting closer to the reality of self-driving cars than ever before. However, in the rush to be the first to market with a viable prototype, mistakes have been made, including rolling out these vehicles before they were ready and testing them on vulnerable humans, which has led to complaints against robotaxi services and other makers of self-driving technology.

If you were injured in a collision involving a self-driving car, you are likely confused about your legal rights and options. After all, what are you supposed to do if there is no driver in the other vehicle? Is the car manufacturer responsible? A San Antonio self-driving car accident lawyer from The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC can review your case and explain your legal options.

Our team of top-rated car accident lawyers in San Antonio has over 20 years of experience handling complex accident claims, and we are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation the deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call (210) 922-0808 now.

What Is a Self-Driving Car?

When many people think of self-driving cars, they imagine a vehicle that drives itself. It may have a passenger in the back, or it might be empty. While this is one form of a self-driving car, “self-driving” refers to a range of driving behaviors that may be conducted by something other than human interaction.

There are several levels of automation. Each increased level indicates less reliance on human interaction, as follows:

• Level 0: Vehicles at Level 0 have no automation. They may have alert systems that notify drivers of potential dangers, such as lane departure alarms, but the human driver is completely in control of the vehicle.
• Level 1: At Level 1 automation, some driver assistance is available for help with speed or steering. For example, the vehicle may contain adaptive cruise control, which automatically reduces the vehicle’s speed if it becomes too close to the car in front of it.
• Level 2: Level 2 vehicles assist drivers with speed and steering in some situations, such as maintaining the car in a lane if it starts to drift into another one.
• Level 3: At Level 3 automation, the vehicle performs speed and steering functions. It also monitors the surroundings. The vehicle mostly drives itself, but it comes equipped with an alert that notifies the driver that they need to assume control of the car.
• Level 4: Level 4 automation allows a vehicle to operate without human intervention. However, this can only occur safely in controlled environments, such as taking known routes and adhering to a specific speed limit. The driver can assume control of the vehicle, and human oversight is required.
• Level 5: Level 5 automation is full automation. A human is not necessary. The vehicle controls itself and may even be made without gas and brake pedals or a steering wheel. These are truly driverless vehicles.

Who Is Responsible for a Self-Driving Car Accident?

One of the most complex aspects of self-driving car accidents is determining who is legally responsible for them. The law often lags behind technology, so there may not be clear guidelines in place. However, an experienced attorney can adapt current legal principles to determine if any of the following parties are legally responsible for your damages:

• The driver of the self-driving car: Most modern-day automated vehicles still require some human involvement. The vehicle may include warnings that require the driver to be prepared to take over in the event of a problem. If the driver was distracted or did not assume control when necessary, they may be liable for your injuries.
• The vehicle manufacturer: The maker of the vehicle that included the self-driving features may be responsible. Product manufacturers are responsible for making products that are safe to use as intended. If their product was unreasonably dangerous to consumers, they may be responsible. Our experienced team of San Antonio auto defect lawyers can assist with this type of claim.
• The manufacturer of the technology: The maker of the technology may be to blame if the technology was faulty or failed at a critical moment, leading to the accident.
• Government entities: Higher levels of automation require more infrastructure. Government entities that allowed the new tech on their streets may be to blame if the necessary infrastructure was not there to support it.

An experienced San Antonio self-driving car accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries.

What Evidence Do I Need for My Case?

When your accident involves a driverless car, you may need special evidence to help determine how the crash occurred, including:

• Event data recorders: Modern vehicles have electronic systems similar to those found in black boxes that record valuable information before and during an accident. Experts can extract useful data from these devices to determine when the vehicles braked, accelerated, turned, and collided.
• Damage to the vehicles: The direction and severity of property damage can illuminate how the accident likely occurred.
• Videos: Video footage may be available from traffic cameras, onboard cameras, dash cameras, surveillance cameras, or bystander cameras, which can help show the crash occurring in real-time.
• Pictures: If you took photos of the accident, this may help piece together the details of the event.
• Accident reports: Law enforcement officers may have noted essential details about your case, such as the driver of the other car admitting they were not prepared to take back control of the vehicle.
• Witness statements: Objective witnesses may provide insight into how the crash occurred.

How Can an Attorney Help with a Driverless Car Accident

Driverless car accident cases are complicated. They may involve complex technology and regulations. As a leading personal injury law firm in San Antonio, The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC has the necessary knowledge and resources to tackle these cases. We can help with your case by:

• Investigating your accident and the factors that contributed to it
• Working with accident reconstruction experts, engineering experts, and other professionals who can help us understand how the crash occurred
• Gathering evidence to establish fault
• Accurately calculating the full extent of your injuries and losses
• Handling communications with insurance companies
• Managing legal claims and case deadlines
• Negotiating for fair compensation

Contact Our San Antonio Self-Driving Car Accident Attorneys Today

If you’d like to learn more about your legal rights and options following a self-driving car accident, contact The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC for a free case review. We have a proven track record of success and are well-equipped to handle the most complex cases.  We offer a free consultation in which we can explain your legal rights and options for holding a third party accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Call our San Antonio self-driving car accident attorneys today to get started.