Self-driving or autonomous vehicles are becoming more common on Vista, California roads. As of October 2023, six companies hold permits to test driverless vehicles in California. Unfortunately, self-driving car accidents are also common, with 693 Autonomous Vehicle Collision Reports being filed with the DMV as of March 8, 2024.
Our Vista car accident lawyers at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers have over 30 years of combined experience handling accident cases. To date, we have recovered over $40 million for our clients. Our Vista self-driving car accident attorneys leverage our experience, skills, and resources to fight for your right to recover maximum compensation for a car accident claim.
If you’ve been injured in a self-driving car accident in Vista, CA, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 344-0360 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Vista self-driving car accident attorneys.
How Our Vista Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Self-Driving Car Accident Claim in California
The DMV is required to develop regulations for testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. However, that does not prevent self-driving car accidents in Vista, CA.
Self-driving car accidents are complicated personal injury cases. Determining liability can be challenging. More than one party could share liability for causing the car crash.
We have extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers. Our Vista personal injury attorneys work with leading experts in the field to gain knowledge and evidence regarding self-driving car accidents.
When you hire our top-rated Vista car accident lawyers, you can trust that we will:
- Thoroughly investigate the cause of the self-driving car accident to identify all parties responsible for the crash
- Gather evidence proving causation, fault, and liability for the accident, including working with expert witnesses
- Assess how much your self-driving car accident case is worth after carefully documenting your injuries and damages
- File insurance and personal injury claims seeking compensation for all damages
- Aggressively negotiate fair settlements with the at-fault parties
- File a lawsuit and take the case to court if the responsible parties refuse to compensate you fairly for your damages
Don’t trust the insurance company or the companies involved in your case to do what is right. To learn more about claims for self-driving car accidents, contact Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation from an experienced Vista self-driving car accident lawyer.
Who Is Liable for Damages Caused by a Self-Driving Vehicle in California?
Autonomous vehicles have several levels of automation. For example, level one includes vehicles with driver assistance technology, such as automatic braking and lane assist systems.
Partial and conditional automation allows the vehicle to accelerate, steer, and brake independently. The vehicle can monitor the driving conditions and perform driving functions, but a driver is still required and can override the system.
High automation means the car can perform all driving tasks but still needs a driver. Full automation is a self-driving vehicle that does not require human input to operate.
Liability for a self-driving car accident depends on the facts and circumstances of the accident. If a driver causes an accident, the driver can be liable for damages under California tort laws. Therefore, if a driver uses the autopilot and fails to remain alert, the driver could be responsible if the car crashes.
Self-driving car manufacturers and software developers can be liable for self-driving car accidents if a defect or malfunction causes a car accident. For example, an error in the software that operates the self-driving vehicle fails to stop the vehicle from rear-ending another car. Product liability laws may apply if the driverless vehicle is involved in an accident because of manufacturing, design, or failure to warn of defects.
Other parties could be liable for damages. For example, the driver of another car could be responsible for causing the crash, or a government entity could be partially to blame for failing to maintain safe roads.
What Kind of Compensation Could I Receive for a Self-Driving Car Accident in Vista, CA?
California personal injury victims can recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Disabilities and impairments
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
The amount you receive for a self-driving car accident claim depends on your case. The severity of your injuries and the parties involved in the accident could impact how much your case is worth. If you were partially to blame for causing the accident, California’s comparative fault laws could reduce how much you receive for damages.
Our Vista self-driving car accident lawyers work to obtain the best possible settlement or verdict for your case. We diligently pursue all sources of compensation and fiercely argue for the total value of all damages caused by a self-driving car accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Vista Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyers
Self-driving vehicles can cause collisions like any other motor vehicle in Vista, CA. The technology for driverless vehicles is still being developed and tested. Therefore, safety can be an issue.
Near misses and accidents involving self-driving cars and semi-autonomous technology can cause severe injuries to victims. Call Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers at (619) 344-0360 to schedule a free case review with a Vista self-driving car accident attorney if you have been in an accident.