How Michigan Law Treats Accidents Involving Self-Driving Vehicles

What is Michigan’s Legislation on Self-Driving Cars?

Michigan has various technological advancements, such as self-driving cars, that make life easier. The legal framework surrounding this advancement is complex, with several statutes authorizing the use of autonomous cars on public roads. Since their enactment in 2013 and 2016, the laws have continued to evolve to protect the rights of those who sustain injuries in self-driving car accidents.

Personal injury lawyers in Southfield explain that many factors come into play when determining fault and establishing liability in such accidents. Since the driver of a self-driving car is ambiguous, it can be challenging to decide whether the driver behind the wheel of the autonomous vehicle will be considered at fault.

If you or your loved one sustained injuries in an autonomous vehicle accident, it’s crucial to understand how the legal framework makes it possible for you to pursue compensation. Skilled car accident attorneys in Southfield can evaluate your case and help you take legal action to protect your rights.

Who is Liable in a Self-Driving Car Accident?

In collisions involving regular cars, many factors can contribute to the crash, including, but not limited to:

• One or more drivers who fail to exercise due care to avoid an accident, which amounts to ordinary negligence
• A cyclist, pedestrian, child, or animal that obstructs a driver on the roadway
• Poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or lighting
• Malfunctioning vehicle equipment or parts, such as stuck accelerator, steering wheel issues, or faulty brakes
• Hazardous road conditions due to poor road maintenance
• Poorly maintained or inoperative traffic lights, signals, or signs.

Some of these events, such as weather conditions, could be the “cause in fact” of an accident, but they may not have any legal liability. In most other cases, one or more parties can be liable for the collision and resulting damages. Southfield car accident lawyers know the factors to evaluate when determining liability.

Autonomous Technology Can Expand Liability

In vehicles equipped with autonomous systems, there could be more contributing factors to an accident. Southfield car accident attorneys highlight the following factors that could open the door for additional liability:

• The manufacturer: They could be liable if the accident occurred due to a defective or faulty part that malfunctioned while the vehicle was in motion.
• Software designer: A negligent error in the coding or some vulnerability in the programming could make the software designer liable for the crash
•  Software installer: Incorrectly installing the software into the vehicle is a factor that could make the installer liable for the accident
• Software maintenance party: If investigations reveal that the vehicle malfunctioned due to improper maintenance, the entity responsible for software updates, upgrades, and patches may be liable for not submitting them promptly. Anyone who negligently altered the software’s performance could also be held liable.
• Government provider or wireless carrier: Liability could extend to these two entities if the vehicle’s system relies on GPS guidance or satellite navigation that got disconnected or interrupted due to some error.

Proving each party’s liability can be complex, considering that it depends on each party’s duty to consumers, drivers, and other members of the public within the legal framework. As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential for the state to also fine-tune the legal framework to account for these possibilities and create the necessary causes of action for affected parties.

Personal injury attorneys add that computer hackers can maliciously access, change, and disable autonomous car features. They could do this at random or targeting specific users. Such occurrences open up another broad spectrum of criminal culpability and the possibility of third-party civil liability.

What is the Role of Human Fault in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents?

Despite the likelihood that a self-driving car could malfunction, there may still be situations where human error contributes to an accident. Autonomous technology is not fully automated to the level that driving doesn’t require human involvement, hence the need for drivers to understand the limitations of self-driving technology.

Drivers who misuse or place undue trust in the technology can still be held liable for their role in causing the accident. However, determining the driver’s role in causing a self-driving car crash may require sophisticated data collection methods.

It also calls for an in-depth analysis of the car’s sensors, response systems, and monitoring equipment to determine the driver’s attentiveness or lack thereof. Skilled car accident lawyers in Southfield can leverage their skills and engage the expertise of other personal injury professionals to work out your case specifics.

Uncertainty and Ethical Considerations in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

The autonomous car legal framework for evaluating legal liability in accidents continues to evolve, necessitating the need for state and federal regulators to adapt in addressing the intricacies of this technology. Until then, significant uncertainty continues to complicate litigation involving claims for personal injuries caused by these cars.

Ethical considerations could arise in these cases. For example, while self-driving cars are programmed to make split-second decisions to avoid accidents, how do they respond when choosing between two undesirable outcomes? Such questions could prompt serious ethical considerations about how the algorithms work and who should bear responsibility.

A Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Providing Legal Counsel on Self-Drive Car Accidents

Self-driving car technology is an advancement that has been received warmly in Michigan. However, the legal framework for which the vehicles operate is still evolving, making it complex to determine liability in case of an accident. Skilled Southfield personal injury attorneys say that pursuing compensation is still possible, so you should consult them for legal guidance.

The Sigal Law Firm has dedicated, driven, and determined car accident lawyers who can work on your case. Let us evaluate the case specifics, investigate the events leading to the accident, and help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Call us at 248-671-6794 to schedule a FREE consultation.