It is not surprising that the first fatal crash of a self-driving car received significant attention from the national media. The Florida accident that killed Joshua Brown in his Tesla Model S sparked questions about the safety and viability of the new technology. However, the tragic incident also raises important issues for the vast majority of drivers who have no plans of purchasing a self-driving vehicle in the foreseeable future.
A major question that will need to be resolved concerns the liability when a self-driven car collides with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Will car owners be able to shift the legal fault to manufacturers? Legislators and courts will be grappling with these issues for years. Beyond the legal issues directly related to the new technology, Mr. Brown’s deadly accident has implications for everyone on the road, for a number of reasons:
No technological advance absolves a car operator of their legal responsibility to others on the road, and no innovation can guarantee your safety, so attentive caution is always required behind the wheel. If you’ve been injured in an accident, an experienced lawyer can help determine where the liability exists and seek compensation on your behalf.
Seigel Law represents motor vehicle accident victims in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. Contact us online or call 201-444-4000 today for a free case evaluation.