Last year, the city of Grand Rapids launched driverless shuttles: the first driverless vehicle route in Michigan available to the public. Driverless cars are forging ahead to the future, but like humans, they need time to prepare for the road and are vulnerable to making mistakes. Autonomous vehicle technology also remains limited and inconsistent, resulting in accidents, injuries, and uncertainty on the road. If you were a victim in an autonomous vehicle crash, our team of Grand Rapids accident attorneys at Buchanan Firm is here to help you from start to end. With our expertise and resources, we will make sure the responsible party is held accountable, and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Most “driverless” cars are not truly driverless. Instead, they have built-in driver assistance features, such as advanced cruise control, proximity sensors, and built-in GPS navigation devices.
Even if their vehicles are on “autopilot,” drivers are still legally responsible for crashes. This includes drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Furthermore, some technological innovations may be a danger on the road and distracting. That is arguably true of GPS navigators and proximity alert sirens. These innovations can give drivers a false sense of security, and cause them to drive more recklessly than normal.
If a negligent driver violates a safety law and causes a collision, he or she may be responsible for damages as a matter of law. This legal responsibility means compensating the victim for economic losses, such as medical bills, and other losses, such as pain and suffering damages.
Other times, the manufacturer may be responsible for the crash. In these situations, the strict liability rule usually applies. If the victim/plaintiffs establish cause, manufacturers are automatically liable for the damages mentioned above.
Some autonomous vehicles have data security issues, and a hacker is able to take control of the vehicle and cause a crash. Or, to avoid one collision, the computer may order the vehicle to make an unsafe maneuver, and thereby cause a more serious crash.
Manufacturers are strictly liable for design defects and manufacturing defects. Computer programming errors are an example of a design defect. These cars should never be on the road. Other times, the vehicle itself is well-designed. But the car company takes illegal shortcuts during the manufacturing process or uses cheap materials, which render the vehicle unfit for service.
If you or a loved one was injured by an autonomous vehicle, we are here to help you find the reimbursement you need and deserve and to fight the insurance and manufacturing companies for what is rightfully yours. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Grand Rapids, contact the Buchanan Firm at (800) 272 – 4080.