Car companies these days are working relentlessly to provide their customers with the best features and gimmicks in their cars. Some features are quite useful while some features will sometimes land you in trouble. One such feature is automation with AI and sensors, and with this feature nowadays there are lots of driverless cars running on the streets. Some are completely driverless and some are driver-assisted but afterall this feature is controlled by AI which leads to more possibility of accidents on the road.
There are thousands of road accidents that take place annually due to the collision and mistakes caused by autonomous or self-driving vehicles. In such cases, lawyers specializing in self-driving vehicle accidents play a pivotal role in helping their clients and finding who is at fault. Self-driving car accident lawyers are skilled professional who deals with accident cases caused by autonomous vehicles. They even investigate the technical aspects of the incident and also help their client to get their compensation.
Damages Involved In Self-Driving Car Accidents
Car accidents on roads are quite common these days and can even cost someone’s life. But besides death, it can be very traumatic and can cause harm to an individual on different levels. On the other hand car accidents due to self-driving cars may be even more deadly and can cause severe damage in various aspects. So here are some different types of damages that an individual faces after an accident.
Death: This is the biggest damage an accident can cause, Sometimes brutal accidents caused by the mistake of the driver or the self-driving cars may result in unfortunate and wrongful death.
Property Damage: In an accident, it is pretty obvious that the car itself takes damage from the collision or accident resulting in damage to the property. It includes damage to the self-driving car itself, as well as damage to other vehicles involved in the accident and any other property affected including signboards, traffic lights, guardrails, or roadside structures.
Painful Injuries: Accidents involving self-driving cars can cause major injuries to the people involved in the accident and can lead to injuries. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries like broken bones and brain injuries.
Trauma and Depression: Some people never recover from the mental trauma that an accident causes. People will have to suffer panic and anxiety attacks along with depression and the trauma of losing people close to their hearts
Financial Damage: Accidents destroy the financial condition of the person as he has to pay a large amount of medical bills, and property damage expenses, and it may result in lost wages due to injuries sustained in the accident. Additionally, there may be expenses related to lawyer’s fees and vehicle repairs.
Insurance Costs: The insurance companies are still adapting to the emergence of self-driving cars. Insurance and premiums work differently for autonomous vehicles. As the number of accidents increases this may result in insurance rates for all drivers.
Lastly, there are a few other minor damages that can ruin someone’s life including reputation damage, regulatory consequences, etc. Accidents are inevitable when you are on the road and can cause a lot of damage on a personal level, they can only be controlled by driving safely and following safety rules.
Who Is Responsible for Self-Driving Car Accident?
When it comes to finding out who is liable for the accident in self-driving car accidents we can’t put the whole blame on the driver as there are other parties that can be equally responsible for the accident. Determining liability can be a herculean task itself as it requires proper investigation and multiple evidence to find the guilty party. So here are some different parties that may be responsible for the accident in an autonomous vehicle accident.
Driver: Some autonomous vehicles are not fully automatic and they need driver’s assistance and supervision. In this case, the driver is said to be responsible for the accident as partial control is in the hands of the driver.
Manufacturer: In some cases, manufacturing fault can be the reason for the accident, in this situation vehicle manufacturers are considered liable for the accident. The manufacturing fault includes the usage of defective material, parts not properly installed, lack of final checks on the car etc.
Software Developer: If the accident is caused by a problem in the AI and software of the vehicle, then this is treated as a blunder by developers and they are considered liable for the accident.
Servicing fault: This can be generated while servicing the vehicle. The carelessness of servicing staff during servicing and inadequate maintenance can be the reason for the accident If this is so then the responsibility could fall on the parties responsible for maintaining the vehicle’s hardware and software systems.
Other Parties: Other parties involve component dealers, pedestrians, road maintenance department etc can also be the reason for accidents. In such cases, they are also responsible for the mishap.
In most cases, responsibility may be shared between the human driver and the technology provider but sometimes, it may be shared differently according to the reason of that particular accident. Various new guidelines are being developed now to address liability issues in autonomous vehicle accidents as these autonomous vehicles are increasing on the road day by day.
What To Do After A Self-Driving Car Accident?
Car accidents are one of the most unfortunate things that can happen to you, but the steps you take afterward will matter the most. In the case of self-driving car accidents, it becomes even more important that you take appropriate steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal interests. So here is a step-by-step guide on what to do after a self-driving car accident.
Step 1: The first thing you should do is to call the local police and ask for help, only if you’re conscious and in a condition to use your phone. Also exchange some important information right on the spot about car type, model, passengers, and all that is involved in the accident.
Step 2: Asses yourself for injuries, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can either call other emergency services if the injuries are severe.
Step 3: Take videos and photos of the scene for the evidence and include photos of the vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and other related things. You can use your smartphone or ask nearby people to click photos for you.
Step 4: Take proper medical attention if injuries are severe such as fractures, dislocation, and injuries that require operation and surgeries.
Step 5: Contact a self-driving car accident lawyer, this is the most important step as there are many possibilities that the accident may be caused by to negligence manufacturer, software developer or any other third party. Lawyers can help protect your legal rights and guide you through the claims process.
These steps are subject to the situation and can be changed according to the needs of the hour. But if you follow the steps correctly then it will not only ensure your safety but also help you in protecting your legal rights and getting your claims after the accident.
How Does A Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer Help You?
A Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer helps you in various ways in case of autonomous vehicle accidents. There are multiple scenarios in which you should definitely hire a self-driving car accident lawyer. They can assist you in multiple ways including insurance claims, legal counsel and more. So here are some points given below that truly define the importance of a lawyer’s assistance in these types of cases.
Liability Issues: Self-driving car accident cases are always confusing when it comes to finding the guilty party, but these specialized professionals can help you determine the liable person and help you navigate these complexities easily.
Guidance: Legal processes are quite confusing and can easily humiliate a normal person, in this situation having a lawyer by your side can be really helpful especially if you’re not familiar with the legal procedures. Lawyers can easily guide you through the steps, that involve huge paperwork, filing claims, and ensuring that your rights are protected.
Legal Expertise: Lawyer are quite skilled and offers legal expertise as they have in-depth knowledge of the relevant laws, regulations, and legal precedents. They can provide legal guidance and advice on how to approach the case.
Evidence Gathering: A lawyer can help you gather the relevant evidence. They have various contacts and helpers who can gather evidence for the case if you are unable to gather the evidence.
Negotiation: Dealing with insurance companies is not everyone’s cup of tea, it requires negotiation skills. A lawyer can help you by negotiating with insurers to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, property damage, and other losses.
Court Representation: When required self-driving car accident lawyers can even represent you in the court hearings if your case cannot be resolved through negotiations.
Overall, lawyers are really helpful as they are especially skilled to handle such situations where legal expertise is required. Also, consulting with an attorney can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision about the case. It’s important to consult with an attorney who specializes in self-driving car accidents as these cases involve unique legal and technical aspects.
How Much Does A Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
When it comes to estimating the cost of a Self-Driving Accident Lawyer, there is no fixed value that can give the exact figure of how much they can cost. It can vary based on various factors that include the severity of your case, the lawyer’s experience and reputation, fee structure etc. So Here are some points that can help you determine the cost of a self-driving car accident lawyer.
Fee Structure: Self-driving car accident lawyer basically works on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win the case or negotiate a settlement for their clients. In such cases, they receive approx 33% percentage of the compensation awarded to the client.
Individual Experience: It is quite obvious that lawyers having great experience will charge more for the cases while those who have less experience will have to settle for a lesser fee.
Court Costs and Expenses: There are various other expenses besides the fee of the lawyer that you need to keep an eye on. These expenses are complimentary and you need to add these expenses to your budget along with the fee of the lawyer. Lawyers can make you pay for court filing, expert witness, deposition costs, and other expenses related to your case.
Alternative Fee Agreements: These types of arrangements help pro bono clients with reduced fees that can majorly affect the cost of the lawyers. This hugely affects the cost of a lawyer. Make sure you have a clear understanding of how they charge for their services and what costs you need to pay attention to.
Conclusion
In this era, where technology is evolving rapidly, these lawyers have become more important in order to navigate and counsel people on this part. They ensure that their clients get proper justice and full compensation for the mishap. Not only this they also counsel their clients and give valuable suggestions and advice to their clients.
