Goodyear Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer
Goodyear and other parts of Arizona’s West Valley are seeing an increase in the number of autonomous vehicles. Although the goal of these vehicles is to reduce collisions, the use of autonomous technology often creates new legal challenges after accidents. If you or a loved one were injured in such a wreck, you have the right to seek compensation. A Goodyear self-driving car accident lawyer from Lerner and Rowe can protect your interests and fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.
Call (602) 977-1900 now to schedule a free case consultation with a Goodyear personal injury attorney.
Possible Legal Challenges of Autonomous Vehicle Crashes
Accidents involving self-driving or semi-autonomous vehicles can be far more complicated than traditional crashes due to:
- Insurance and liability disputes: Fault may involve multiple parties, such as the vehicle owner, manufacturer, software company, or maintenance provider.
- Access to vehicle data: Data from the car, like sensor logs, camera footage, and navigation history, is often controlled by manufacturers and requires legal action to obtain.
- Pedestrian detection issues: Autonomous systems may fail to detect pedestrians or cyclists in time.
- Software malfunction or programming errors: Defective algorithms or inadequate updates can lead to poor decision-making by the vehicle’s AI.
- Mixed human and automated control: Determining whether the human driver or the self-driving system was in control at the time of the crash can be complex.
- Compliance with evolving regulations: Rapidly changing federal and Arizona state laws regarding autonomous vehicles may impact liability and case strategy.
- Third-party maintenance errors: Improper calibration or repair of sensors and cameras can compromise the vehicle’s safety systems.
Insurance companies often make autonomous vehicle claims even more challenging by disputing fault, downplaying the severity of injuries, or offering lowball settlements that fail to cover the full extent of your losses. A Goodyear self-driving car accident attorney can cut through these tactics and build a strong claim to pursue the maximum compensation available under Arizona law.
Autonomous Vehicle Laws in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Transportation allows self-driving cars on public roads without a human driver as long as they meet specific requirements:
- Vehicles must meet all federal safety standards or have an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Operators or owners must maintain the required insurance to operate in Arizona
- Fully autonomous vehicles must be able to reach a minimal risk condition if the system fails
- Companies testing autonomous vehicles must register with the Arizona Department of Transportation and comply with all operational guidelines.
- Autonomous vehicles must follow traffic laws
Our Goodyear self-driving car accident attorneys are up to date on these legislative changes and use this knowledge to determine fault and strengthen your case.
Why Do Goodyear Self-Driving Car Accidents Happen?
While designed to reduce human error, autonomous vehicles are not immune to accidents. Common causes include:
- Software glitches
- Outdated software updates
- Distracted driving by drivers in semi-autonomous mode
- Weather conditions like monsoon storms that impair sensors
- Defective parts
- Neglected vehicle maintenance
- Inexperienced or improperly trained operators
- Collisions with negligent drivers in other vehicles
A Goodyear self-driving car accident lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable as long as the accident and injuries were caused by negligence or recklessness.
FAQs: Self-Driving Car Wrecks
Call 911, seek medical care, document the scene with photos, gather witness details, and contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Liability may rest with the manufacturer, software developer, fleet operator, maintenance provider, or a human driver, depending on the circumstances.
Sometimes. These cases often require technical evidence, such as sensor logs, onboard video, and software data, which is not always easily accessible without a lawyer.
Yes, but Arizona follows comparative negligence rules, meaning you can still recover compensation, but the amount may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
You have two years from the date of the accident, but starting sooner helps protect evidence and strengthen your case.
Contact a Goodyear Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer
Self-driving car accidents involve complex liability issues and advanced technology. At Lerner and Rowe, we have the experience, resources, and determination to stand up to tech companies, insurers, and other responsible parties accountable.
We are available 24/7 to take your call, and our No Win, No Fee guarantee means you pay nothing unless we win.
Our team has recovered over a billion total in settlements for injury victims and has earned thousands of positive client reviews. We stay up-to-date on Arizona’s evolving autonomous vehicle laws, ensuring we deliver the strongest possible representation.
Call (602) 977-1900 for your free consultation, start a LiveChat on our website, or submit a secure online case review form today.