Self-Driving Car Lawyer After an Albany Car Accident

dash of self-driving car on a highwayOnce a symbol of the future, self-driving cars are slowly but surely becoming a reality. Today major companies and vehicle manufacturers are racing to produce cars with more and more autonomous capabilities and functions. Unfortunately, with this new technology comes potential risks, and accidents involving automated vehicles are bound to happen.

If you were injured in a self-driving car accident in Albany, the car accident lawyers at William Mattar Law Offices are here to help. Call (844) 444-4444 today to get the assistance you need to get your life back together.

Are There Self-Driving Cars on the Road?

Existing self-driving vehicles, from companies such as Tesla, may not be fully autonomous, but technology continues to improve and develop.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), self-driving vehicles will integrate onto U.S. roadways by progressing through six levels of driver assistance technology (from no automation to full autonomy). These levels are as follows:

  • Level 0: No autonomous capabilities. The motorist must perform all driving tasks.
  • Level 1: The vehicle may have some driving assistance features.
  • Level 2: The vehicle has certain “combined automated functions” such as automatic braking, but the motorist must monitor their environment.
  • Level 3: The vehicle has “conditional automation,” meaning it performs all driving tasks, but the motorist must be prepared to take control of the vehicle.
  • Level 4: The vehicle has “high automation” and can perform all driving functions under certain circumstances.
  • Level 5: The vehicle is fully autonomous.

According to the NHTSA, the autonomous features of today (2016 to 2025) primarily include partially-automated safety features, such as lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and self-park. In 2025 and beyond, however, it is predicted that autonomous cars could be equipped with fully-automated safety features and highway autopilot.

Self-Driving Car Accident Injuries

Collisions involving self-driving cars can result in devastating, life-altering injuries. A malfunctioning autonomous vehicle can fail to brake, accelerate unexpectedly, or incorrectly perceive its environment. In these cases, vehicle occupants can sustain injuries that leave them with significant medical bills and emotional and physical pain. Some examples of injuries include but are not limited to:

  • Traumatic brain injuries;
  • Spinal cord damage;
  • Back injuries;
  • Whiplash;
  • Broken bones;
  • Soft tissue injuries;
  • Burns; and
  • Lacerations

If you have been injured in a self-driving car accident, contact the team at William Mattar. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any questions you may have. Call (844) 444-4444 today.

Who is Responsible for a Self-Driving Car Accident?

In a self-driving car accident, liability can be complicated for several reasons. There are often multiple companies involved in designing and producing driverless vehicles – whether they are available to the public or used for transportation. For this reason, when a self-driving car accident occurs it can sometimes be difficult to identify the cause of the accident and who is liable.

Determining the identity of the liable party will hinge on the details of the accident. If the vehicle suffered a malfunction, one question may be whether the driving assistance technology was activated at the time of the accident. If so, this may help establish the liability of the vehicle manufacturer or automaker. However, if the driver was found to have been negligent or distracted at the time of the accident, that driver may be found at fault.

A self-driving car accident attorney can gather evidence and information to help determine which party is liable and whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Contact a Self-Driving Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in an autonomous car accident in Albany, contact William Mattar today. Our self-driving car accident attorneys can examine your case and help you get the compensation you need after suffering a serious injury. Schedule a free initial consultation using our online form, or call at (844) 444-4444 to speak to a member of our team.

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