Like so many other aspects of our society, our legal system often struggles to catch up with advances in technology. A clear example of this is the rise of autonomous driving. While fully self-driving cars still have not arrived, legislators are starting to wonder how they should react. How can we determine liability when no one is actually in control of their vehicles? What will this mean for insurance? What about the car manufacturers themselves? Will they be liable if their self-driving technology malfunctions?
It is an interesting debate, and it is becoming less and less theoretical. Autonomous driving is already a relatively common feature in many modern cars. A number of technological innovations protect drivers with things like lane assist, brake assist, and more. In many car crash cases today, autonomous driving is a new consideration for those pursuing personal injury claims. So, how will this affect you in the future?
Determining Liability
One of the most important considerations when it comes to car accidents and personal injury claims involving driverless cars is liability. If you think that the autonomous driving technology in your car has malfunctioned somehow, then you might assume that the liability falls on the shoulders of the car manufacturer. For example, the lane assist technology might not have reacted quickly enough, causing you to collide with another car. Or perhaps the brake assist system kicked in when you did not even need it, giving you severe whiplash.
Some might say that you should always be vigilant on the road, and relying too heavily on autonomous driving technology is irresponsible. On the other hand, these car manufacturers are actively advertising the fact that these features perform reliably in a certain way. It is only natural to assume that your autonomous driving systems will continue to operate normally in all circumstances.
Unfortunately, determining liability in these situations is not always easy. Many states, including Kentucky, are playing catch up in regard to self-driving cars. For the most part, legislation that reflects the advances in autonomous driving technology still needs to be written.
How is Kentucky Reacting?
Kentucky is one of the many states that has enacted laws to govern the use of self-driving cars. That being said, the exact legislation that surrounds liability is still a little vague. Liability concerns were raised back in 2017 by figures such as Senator C.B. Embry from Morgantown. In the end, the responsibility for determining liability falls squarely on the courts. If new laws have not been created yet, it is up to our legal experts to interpret existing laws in new ways. By applying the basic principle of our liability laws to driverless cars, we can make sure everyone achieves justice. It might be a complex process, but there are some extremely talented and knowledgeable professionals in Kentucky’s court system.
Getting Legal Help
With such a complicated legal issue, it might not be enough to simply call your insurance company for a personal injury claim. If autonomous driving technology is involved in your personal injury claim in some way, a qualified attorney can help you navigate the legal system in an efficient manner. Reach out to Roberts Law Office today, and we will help you seek justice.