As the popularity and use of Tesla autopilot vehicles has continued to grow in recent years, the concept of self-driving vehicles presents unique issues when assessing car accident liability. Since the driver is not fully in control of the vehicle, the owner of a self-driving vehicle may not be automatically liable if the accident was caused by a malfunction with the autonomous driving system. Our trusted car accident attorneys can assist you with these legal questions.

If you have questions about self-driving vehicle collision liability, you should speak with a Philadelphia Tesla autopilot accident lawyer at Marrone Law Firm LLC as soon as possible.

How Do Self-Driving Vehicles Work?

Autonomous or self-driving vehicles can operate without a human driver controlling certain operations. The vehicle utilizes technology that includes various sensors, cameras, software, and other technology when in autopilot mode.

Pennsylvania has amended its vehicle code to allow for the use of autonomous cars, referred to as highly automated vehicles. The rules provide a framework for how these autopilot vehicles should operate, such as safety, licensing, insurance, and operational issues.

While self-driving vehicles offer certain features, such as lane departure or emergency braking assistance, safe operation of these vehicles still requires that the driver fully pays attention to the road. Some examples of features in Tesla’s autopilot system include:

  • Automatic navigation, steering, parking, or lane changes
  • Traffic light and stop sign identification features
  • Collision warning features
  • Lane departure warnings
  • Awareness features for obstacles in the road

When Tesla autopilot features cause accidents, victims should consult with a Philadelphia lawyer about potential legal liability.

A Tesla Autopilot Owner Can Still Have Liability

It is important to understand that a Tesla autopilot vehicle owner in Philly can still have liability when their car causes an accident that leads to injuries. The percentage of liability and the amount of damages will depend on the specific events that led up to causing the collision.

Since all self-driving systems require that the vehicle operator remain fully attentive to traffic conditions, drivers do not necessarily avoid liability when they are using a car’s autopilot features prior to an accident.

Proving Negligence

An accident victim can still bring a personal injury lawsuit for negligence against an allegedly at-fault Tesla autopilot driver. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must first establish that the defendant breached a duty of care.

The defendant’s failure to use reasonable care must also proximately cause the plaintiff’s injuries. Further, the plaintiff must have suffered economic or non-economic damages from the incident. Some examples of negligent actions that can demonstrate that a Tesla autopilot driver failed to use reasonable care is:

  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • The autopilot features were turned off, either manually or automatically
  • The driver failed to stay current with required maintenance

When the Autopilot Accident Was Caused by a Malfunction or Defect

Determining liability for causing an accident is already complicated when more than one party was negligent in causing the incident. This assessment is increasingly complicated when a Philadelphia driver claims their accident was caused by a malfunction with their Tesla autopilot features.

If the accident was caused by a mechanical error in the autopilot system, an injured plaintiff may have a lawsuit against multiple parties. State law generally holds the manufacturers of products strictly liable when defects cause injuries to consumers. Most product liability lawsuits fall within one of three categories:

  • Design defects, which can often lead to massive recalls when a whole line of products is defective
  • Manufacturing defects, when a particular product does not adhere to the manufacturer’s design
  • Failure to provide adequate warnings about the product’s potential dangers

Since vehicles and autopilot systems are made from different components, more than one party can potentially have legal liability for defects. For example, the car’s manufacturer or the manufacturer of a component within the autopilot system may have strict liability.

Consulting with an attorney can help an injured victim identify the responsible party or parties for causing self-driving car accidents.

Talk with an Attorney Today About Tesla Autopilot Crashes in Philadelphia

Accidents involving self-driving vehicles can make it more difficult to understand liability. Consulting with Philadelphia Tesla autopilot accident lawyer from Marrone Law Firm LLC can help eliminate a victim’s confusion about their legal rights. A successful lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation for damages such as lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.