Oklahoma City Self-Driving Car Accidents Lawyer
Self-driving vehicles are no longer a thing of the future. You can see them driving on roads in many cities across the country. What should you do if you are injured in a self-driving car accident in Oklahoma City, OK?
Contact the Oklahoma City self-driving car accidents lawyer of McGuire Law Firm at (405) 513-5658 for a free consultation.
Our lawyers have a reputation for obtaining multi-million dollar awards for our clients.
With over 60 years of combined legal experience, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers can handle the most complex injury cases. We are ready to help you when you need advice from a trusted legal advocate for accident victims.
How Our Oklahoma City Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Self-Driving Car Accident
It can be difficult to know what to do after an auto accident. You are probably focused on obtaining medical treatment for your injuries. You may also be concerned about paying your bills while you are out of work healing from accident injuries.
At McGuire Law Firm, we understand the challenges car accident victims face as they struggle to get their life back together after an accident. While we cannot undo the consequences of the accident, we can help reduce your stress.
Our Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys can handle all aspects of your personal injury claim so that you can focus on your health and recovery.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Conduct a comprehensive accident investigation
- Identify the party or parties who caused your accident and injury
- Work with your physicians to document your injuries and damages
- File insurance claims and handle all communication with the insurance companies
- Negotiate a settlement for your injury claim
- File a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary, to protect your legal rights
You do not have to deal with an accident claim alone.
Our Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys take care of everything for you. We are passionate about helping accident victims receive the money they deserve. Put our skills, knowledge, resources, and experience accumulated over 60 combined years to work for you.
How Common Are Self-Driving Car Accidents?
There have been a few hundred accidents involving self-driving cars in the United States. Many of the accidents were minor crashes. However, there have been at least 13 serious self-driving car accidents as of October 2019.
As more self-driving vehicles enter the market, the number of self-driving car accidents may increase.
Understanding more about crashes involving self-driving cars can help you know what to do if you are hit by a self-driving car.
Overview of Self-Driving Car Accidents
There are six levels of automation for vehicles, ranging from Level 0 to Level 5. Level 0 is when the human does the driving all of the time. Level 5 is a fully automated driving system in which humans have no involvement in driving.
According to the NHTSA, there is no fully “self-driving” vehicle available for sale in the United States at this time. The self-driving cars currently on the roads assist drivers with some driving functions, but the vehicles require the full attention of the driver for safe operation.
Level 4 or Level 5 self-driving vehicles on the roads are being tested by the various companies producing automated driving systems (ADS). They are not for purchase by the general public.
However, Level 3 and Level 2 self-driving vehicles can perform amazing tasks, which can decrease the risk of a car accident caused by human error. The vehicle can control steering, braking, and accelerating. A Level 4 self-driving vehicle can handle all aspects of driving, but a person must be available to monitor the situation and assume control if necessary.
Causes of Self-Driving Car Accidents
As with most car accidents, the causes of self-driving car accidents vary. Human error and negligence are factors in many self-driving car crashes. In Oklahoma, many car crashes involving self-driving cars were caused by motorists rear-ending a self-driving vehicle.
Common driving behaviors that could lead to a self-driving car accident include:
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Improper lane changes
Drivers who own vehicles with driver assistance technology or crash-avoidance systems need to understand what their systems can do autonomously. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) still require human input. Assuming the vehicle will do what is necessary to avoid a crash can be dangerous. Self-driving car accidents can cause single vehicle accidents or also multi vehicle accidents.
Injuries Sustained in Traffic Crashes Involving Self-Driving Cars
The injuries caused by self-driving car accidents can range from minor bumps and bruises to fatal injuries. Examples of injuries that a person might sustain in a self-driving car crash include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries and nerve damage
- Airbag and seatbelt injuries
- Chest injuries
Documenting injuries with medical records is the best way to protect your right to compensation after a car wreck. You need to prove that the vehicle accident was the direct cause of your injuries. Medical records can assist with that legal requirement in your car accident case.
Who is Liable for Damages Caused by a Self-Driving Vehicle?
If the driver of a self-driving car causes an accident, the driver is liable for any damages caused by the crash, including medical bills and loss related to property damage. Other drivers might be liable if their actions led to the cause of the crash.
The vehicle’s manufacturer or a software designer could be liable if any of the equipment or software is defective.
Engineers and industry experts would need to assist in the accident investigation and analyze the data and evidence. You would need hard, physical evidence proving that the vehicle or a system was defective and that defect caused your accident and injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Oklahoma City Car Wreck Lawyers
Accidents involving self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles are complicated personal injury cases. The technology is confusing, which is why experts may be necessary to assist in the case.
Furthermore, the laws governing AVs and self-driving vehicles are changing to keep with the industry changes and the questions regarding liability and fault.
If you are injured in a self-driving car accident, contact our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Our lawyers have the skills, resources, knowledge, and experience to handle a claim involving a self-driving vehicle.
