Technology that allows a vehicle to take control of the wheel is convenient. However, this technology is not perfect and comes at a risk. For every one million miles driven, there are 9.1 self-driving car crashes, compared to a crash rate of 4.1 per million miles driven for human-operated vehicles. Many of these crashes are rear-end collisions when the technology fails to detect a vehicle in front of it.
If you were injured in a car accident in St. Petersburg, FL, involving a self-driving vehicle, you might be confused about your legal rights and options. Our St. Petersburg self-driving car accident lawyers can review your case and explain your options for financial recovery. Contact the Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 349-1728 for your free case review.
Table of Contents
How Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Self-Driving Car Accident in St. Petersburg
Self-driving technology is still evolving, as are the product liability laws regarding it. After an accident involving a self-driving car, it can be challenging to determine who is at fault for it, especially when there is no driver behind the wheel. Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers is equipped to handle the most complex of cases, including those involving self-driving cars. We can investigate your case and determine who is at fault for it.
You can trust that our St. Petersburg car accident lawyers have the technical knowledge and legal experience to capably handle your case, further backed by:
- Our successful track record of recovering over $675 million for our clients
- Board Certification of three of our attorneys by the Florida Bar Association
- Selection as Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- An AV-Preeminent rating, the highest possible rating from the largest legal rating service
- Being named as Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers Association
Since 1955, our prestigious law firm has been practicing personal injury law and protecting the rights of accident victims. We have an impressive 300 years of combined experience. We’ve also fought cases all the way to the Florida Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States for our clients, so you can trust that we won’t back down from a challenge.
Learn more about how we can help with your case when you contact us in St. Petersburg, Florida, for a free consultation.
What Is a Self-Driving Car?
A self-driving car uses sensors and other technology to gather information about other vehicles and reacts to the surroundings based on this information. Little or no human involvement is necessary.
Levels of Automation
There are six levels of automation, as described below:
Level 0
Level 0 has no driving automation. These manually controlled vehicles may contain technology like an emergency braking system.
Level 1
Level 1 is driver assistance. At this level of automation, the vehicle has a single automated system for driver assistance, such as steering or accelerating, but not both. Adaptive cruise control is Level 1 automation, which allows the vehicle to travel a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of it.
Level 2
Level 2 is partial driving automation. The vehicle can control steering and acceleration. However, a driver must be present to take over these functions in an emergency.
Level 3
Level 3 is conditional driving automation. The vehicle detects information about the environment to control the vehicle, such as the presence of a slow-moving vehicle. However, a human override is still required if the vehicle cannot complete the driving maneuver.
Level 4
Level 4 is high driving automation. At this level of automation, the vehicle does not require human interaction in most circumstances. The vehicle can intervene if a system failure occurs.
This is the stage when a vehicle truly becomes self-driving. However, due to geofencing, the use of these vehicles is limited to certain areas.
Level 5
Level 5 is full driving automation. Vehicles with this level of automation can operate under any condition. Steering wheels, accelerator pedals, and brake pedals are unnecessary—as are humans.
What Level of Automation Is My Vehicle?
Florida law allows for self-driving cars, including those that are fully automated. However, most vehicles on the roads today have no automation. If they do, they generally have a maximum automation of Level 2. Despite advances in technology, these vehicles can still malfunction and cause serious injuries when they do.
Who Is Responsible for My Self-Driving Car Accident in St. Petersburg?
In most situations, the driver of the vehicle with this automation is responsible for a problem caused by this feature. This is because at Level 2 automation, human involvement and intervention are still required. The vehicle’s instruction manuals alert drivers that they must be prepared to take over control of the vehicle.
If the driverless feature malfunctions, the car or software manufacturer may also be to blame.
An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, and determine who is at fault for the accident.
Contact Our St. Petersburg Car Crash Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an accident involving a self-driving car, Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our award-winning St. Petersburg self-driving car accident lawyers are here to assist you in every way possible. Contact us today for a free case review.
