Once only an imagined work of science fiction, driverless cars are becoming more commonplace these days – as are collisions involving them. The City of Austin received over 40 complaints related to driverless cars in just a few months in 2023, including reports of five collisions involving these vehicles.
Most of the complaints were regarding Cruise, which operates a robotaxi service in many cities, including Dallas, Texas, and has since issued a recall of over 950 vehicles after one of its vehicles dragged a pedestrian in an accident.
If you are injured in a collision involving a driverless car, you might be confused about your legal rights and options, especially when there is no one behind the wheel of the vehicle that caused the accident. A Dallas self-driving car accident lawyer from Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers can review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (214) 855-1420 to get started.
We offer a free case consultation, so you can call us to discuss your legal rights and learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to get started.
How Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After an Autonomous Vehicle Accident in Dallas
If you were injured in an accident involving a driverless car, it is important that you work with a Dallas auto accident lawyer who understands the latest technology and legal complexities of these cases.
Our attorney has three decades of experience we can put to use to fight for the recovery you deserve. We have recovered over $110 million for our clients by standing up to insurance companies and demanding the justice our clients deserve.
When you hire our Dallas driverless car accident attorney, we will:
- Investigate the accident and the various factors that contributed to it
- Work with leading experts to understand how the crash occurred and prove your case in a court of law
- Gather evidence to establish liability and the full extent of your damages
- Accurately calculate your short- and long-term losses
- Handle all communications with the insurance company
- Manage case deadlines
- Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
You can trust that we have the skills, resources, and experience to capably handle your case. Call us today in Dallas, TX, to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Levels of Automation
Self-driving cars are otherwise known as autonomous vehicles. While the mental image is to have a vehicle in which there is no driver, most autonomous vehicles are designed to have some human intervention.
There are several levels of automation, with bigger numbers associated with less human involvement.
Level 0
Level 0 vehicles have no level of automation. They may have alert systems that notify drivers of dangers, such as lane departure alarms or alerts if you are too close to another vehicle. Humans are completely in control of the vehicle’s speed and steering.
Level 1
Level 1 automated vehicles provide driver assistance with speed or steering. For example, they may provide adaptive or dynamic cruise control that automatically reduces a vehicle’s speed once your vehicle is too close to the car in front of you.
Level 2
Vehicles with Level 2 automation can assist drivers with speed and steering in some situations. Lane-keeping assistance falls under this category of automation, which keeps a vehicle within the same lane if it is drifting into an adjoining lane.
Level 3
Level 3 automation performs speed and steering functions, as well as monitors the surroundings. The vehicle can mostly drive itself, but there is an alert that notifies the driver when to take over.
Level 4
Level 4 is a high level of automation. Vehicles with this level of automation can operate without human intervention but only under limited circumstances, such as below a certain speed limit or within a certain geographically constrained area. These vehicles allow the driver to take control of them and require human oversight.
Level 5
Vehicles with Level 5 automation have full automation. They are truly driverless cars that can drive completely on their own. No human oversight or control is necessary.
Higher levels of automation require more infrastructure and technology.
Who Is Responsible for a Self-Driving Car Accident in Dallas?
One of the most complex aspects of legal claims involving self-driving cars is determining who is responsible for the accident. Possible defendants could include:
- The driver of the self-driving car: Most self-driving cars require some level of human interaction and human override. If the driver fails to take control when necessary, they can be held responsible for the accident.
- Vehicle manufacturer: If the vehicle did not operate correctly, it may be considered a defective product, in which case the vehicle manufacturer may be responsible for the collision.
- Manufacturer of the technology: Vehicle manufacturers may equip their vehicles with automated technology. If this technology fails during a critical time, the maker of the technology may be to blame.
- Government entities: The government may be to blame if the accident occurred due to infrastructure or regulations.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine all parties who may share blame for the accident that injured you.
Call Our Dallas Car Accident Law Firm for Legal Assistance and Guidance
If you were injured in an autonomous vehicle accident, contact Jay Murray Car Accident and Truck Accident Lawyers to discuss your case with a Dallas self-driving car accident lawyer.
We have a long history of recovering meaningful results for our clients and can handle the most complex of cases. We also work on contingency, which means we only get paid if you do. Call us today for your free case review.