Autonomous self-driving cars are going to become a normal part of the daily commute sometime in the future. We already have testing programs for driverless cars in Arizona, and nearby Tempe was the site of the first fatal autonomous car-pedestrian accident.
Though the cars may be trusted to handle transportation with minimal human involvement, the legal problems that arise will still require human intervention. If you’ve been hit by a driverless car, you may be facing the attorneys of Google and their subsidiaries.
Their legal teams are employed to protect their interests and their deep pockets. You need a legal team to defend your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation. The Phoenix driverless vehicle accident lawyers of Zanes Law are ready to help you to navigate the legal road to justice.
Driverless Vehicles in Phoenix
Autonomous vehicle laws currently in place in Arizona currently allow for driverless cars to be on the road. The Arizona Department of Transportation (AZDOT) lists the conditions as outlined in Arizona state codes and some of the executive orders that pertain to driverless vehicles.
Waymo is a subsidiary of Google, and they are currently testing their driverless vehicle technology in the East Valley. You may see Waymo cars or minivans in Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, or Chandler areas.
Though they are generally equipped with human drivers during the testing phase, eventually the car is allowed to operate on the road with remote operators monitoring their movements and performance. Passengers may be in the car or it could be completely empty.
For a free legal consultation with a driverless vehicle accidents lawyer serving Phoenix, call 866-499-8989
Do Autonomous Vehicles Carry Insurance and Follow Traffic Laws?
These driverless vehicles are subject to the same traffic laws and must be insured and registered. The car is required to be able to stop in the event of a system failure. The individual or company must provide a written statement that it meets all the legal requirements in order to drive in this state.
It is possible for a driverless car to hit anything a car could hit, including bicyclists, pedestrians, other vehicles, or property. If an autonomous car is involved in an accident, several things must be considered.
Suppose the car in the accident did not meet the failsafe requirements, failed to follow the traffic laws, didn’t have registration or insurance, or the owners didn’t submit the required written statement. In that case, they could theoretically be responsible for the accident.
A Phoenix driverless vehicle accident lawyer can help you understand these laws and how they may apply to your case.
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Liability in a Driverless Vehicle Accident in Phoenix
Automakers and the tech industry are heavily invested in the research and development of driverless vehicles. Familiar brand names like Google, Uber, Volvo, Tesla, General Motors, and other lesser-known entities have begun testing these driverless cars and semi-trucks on the road.
Even though there are humans aboard most of these test-run vehicles, accidents can and do happen. Human operators can still become distracted or fail to react to danger in time, or technology can fail to identify a pedestrian or miscalculate the distance it will take to stop.
The opportunity for catastrophic accidents is very real, but who can be held responsible for the damages remains in question. The liability for driverless vehicle accidents is still being debated and written as we speak.
Fortunately, the law still allows for the pursuit of compensation for your injuries in these cases. The liable parties in an autonomous vehicle accident can be:
- The technology developer for the driverless vehicle
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The remote operator or human attendant of the autonomous vehicle
If you or someone you love was injured by a driverless car you are legally entitled to seek the compensation you need to cover the damages. The driverless vehicle accident attorneys with our firm are well-resourced and prepared to litigate complex car accident cases.
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Driverless Vehicle Accident Lawyer With Product Liability Experience
The arguments and evidence you present in a car accident claim will have a great impact on the outcome of your case. With autonomous vehicles, you’re no longer dealing with driver error as the major cause of injury, but with a product that may be defective.
Instead of filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company, you may be filing a product liability lawsuit. This can involve the attorneys and insurance companies of tech giants and motor vehicle manufacturers, and their legal teams can be intimidating.
It’s important to have a driverless vehicle accident attorney in Phoenix with litigation experience against big corporations. Your lawyer should also have a deep understanding of personal injury and product liability laws to ensure that the right parties are held accountable and that your damages are compensated sufficiently.
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Recoverable Damages in a Self-Driving Vehicle Accident Claim
While the laws surrounding liability in a driverless vehicle crash are still under review, the damages for a car accident claim will apply. The insurance company of the car’s owner or operator would be legally obligated to cover the damages for your injuries in cases where negligence can be determined.
Compensation for injury victims in autonomous car accidents may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost wages and loss of earning potential
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Psychiatric or mental health therapeutic treatment
If you lose a loved one due to the injuries sustained in an accident with a driverless vehicle, you may be able to pursue compensatory damages with a wrongful death claim. Consult with a car accident lawyer to ensure your right to collect compensation is protected.
Contact a Phoenix Driverless Vehicle Accident Law Firm Today
Big corporations will have high-profile attorneys defending their interests. If you were hurt by the mistakes a big company made in their haste to develop a robot car, you need skilled legal representation.
You do not have to be intimidated or bullied into accepting an undervalued settlement offer. The Phoenix driverless vehicle accident attorneys of Zanes Law can stand on your behalf and fight for what you are owed.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We can review your claim and explain your rights and legal options at no risk and at no cost to you.
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