How Car Accident Lawyers Are Adapting to the Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

The advent of autonomous vehicle technology promises to transform the landscape of car accidents and change the role of a car accident attorney. As this new technology becomes more widespread over the next decade, car accident lawyers will need to adapt to a shifting legal and technological environment. The integration of autonomous vehicles into our transportation system will have broad implications for how liability is determined in the event of a crash.

The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles

According to a recent industry report, the global market for autonomous vehicles was around 17,000 units in 2022. Experts project the market could expand to around 127,000 units by 2030 as adoption increases. As autonomous vehicles become more common, questions of liability in the event of an accident become more complex.

New Kinds of Accidents

Early analysis indicates over half of AV crashes were rear-end collisions, while about one-fifth were lane change collisions. It’s interesting to note, however, that AVs were rear-ended by conventional vehicles at a rate 1.6 times more often than conventional vehicles. As human drivers interact with autonomous vehicles, new kinds of accidents may emerge. Lawyers will need to stay on top of trends in AV accidents.

Determining Liability

In a crash involving an autonomous vehicle, questions of liability become more complicated. Is the driver, the vehicle manufacturer, or the software developer responsible? In 2018, test drivers for one AV company in California took over controls of vehicles about 114 times over 1.3 million miles in autonomous mode, a rate of around 0.09 disengagements per 1,000 miles. However, for another company, test drivers reportedly took over controls over 2,600 times per 1,000 miles – a much higher rate. Disengagement data may play a role in determining liability.

New Skills and Strategies

To keep up, a good lawyer will need to deepen their understanding of AV technology and prepare novel legal arguments. They may need new investigative strategies to obtain data from vehicles and manufacturers. Building relationships with AV experts will become more important. Lawyers may need to educate judges and juries on AV accident complexities.

Adapting Arguments and Settlements

Settlements and court awards may change as responsibility shifts in AV accidents. Arguments will need to adapt – product liability may replace driver negligence if an AV malfunctions, for example. Settlements may depend more on technical data and less on injuries.

An Evolving Field

As AVs increase over the next decade, the role of car accident lawyers will substantially evolve. By staying current on technology and being flexible in legal strategies, lawyers can adapt to the landscape and effectively represent clients. AVs promise to fundamentally transform car travel and accidents.

The emergence of AVs will profoundly disrupt transportation and bring new challenges for car accident lawyers. By educating themselves on technology, thoroughly investigating accidents, making novel legal arguments, and adapting litigation strategies, car accident lawyers can continue to effectively represent their clients in our rapidly changing world. The AV revolution brings risks and opportunities, and car accident lawyers will need to evolve along with the technology.