On today’s roads, it is common to encounter autonomous motor vehicles, such as cars with copilot features. In major cities, fully autonomous or truly “self-driving” cars may also be seen, such as driverless Zoox and Waymo vehicles.
While self-driving technologies aim to reduce driver errors and decrease the rate of car accidents, they are still being tested and perfected. Unfortunately, this puts the public at risk. If you get into a car accident involving a self-driving car, take the right steps to protect your rights.
Check for Injuries After a Self-Driving Car Accident
As is the case after any type of automobile accident, your first priority is your health. Get to a safe location and check yourself for injuries. See a doctor right away, even if you initially feel fine. You may have delayed or hidden injury symptoms.
Contact the Police
Report the self-driving car accident to local law enforcement so that you get a police report. This document can be an important piece of evidence during a car insurance claim. It may have information about fault, for example, such as a police officer’s belief that there was external interference with the self-driving technology (e.g., another person or vehicle caused the crash).
Gather Evidence
Before you leave the scene of the self-driving car accident, do your best to collect certain information. If you wish to prove that someone else is at fault for your driverless vehicle accident, you will need evidence to support your claim.
If you can, collect the following:
- Photographs at the crash scene
- Close-up pictures of motor vehicle damage
- Images of the surrounding roadway or weather conditions
- The names of all other parties involved
- The make and model of the self-driving vehicle
- Witness statements
- A police report number
In the days following your self-driving car accident, continue to collect relevant medical records, bills and receipts, and communications between you and an insurance company. Keep all of your crash documents organized and ready to go.
Learn Your Rights in a Self-Driving Car Accident
An automobile accident case involving a self-driving car is different from a standard claim. Rather than only having another driver to blame, you may be able to direct your claim at the company behind the autonomous vehicle, the manufacturer of the vehicle’s parts or technology, a human vehicle operator, or a third party. It is important to identify all liable parties to maximize your financial results.
Contact a Self-Driving Car Accident Attorney
Self-driving car accidents are still a relatively new area of personal injury law. The most effective way to protect your legal rights during this complex type of case is to contact a car accident lawyer immediately for assistance.
An attorney will protect you from tactics insurance companies may use to pay less than you deserve, such as an automaker attempting to shift the blame to someone else. Your attorney can handle communications with one or multiple insurance companies while you get medical care for your injuries.
You can trust an attorney to handle the nuances and complexities of a self-driving car accident case using decades of legal experience. To learn about a specific claim in the Pacific Northwest, contact NW Injury Law Center for a free consultation.