South Carolina Self-Driving Truck Accident Lawyer

As the concept claims to solve for the driving public, autonomous driving is expected to cause a slew of legal issues in the future. Many lawmakers will argue that a driver should be held accountable for the activities of a machine working on their behalf. Currently, the laws surrounding self-driving vehicles can be a bit ambiguous.

If you have been injured in an accident involving an autonomous vehicle, you need to hire an attorney to help you navigate through the legal complexities of the emerging laws. The South Carolina self-driving truck accident lawyers at Mickelsen Dalton have experience handling these high-profile cases and are here to help you.

Why Hire Mickelsen Dalton After an Injury with a Self-Driving Truck?

Mickelsen Dalton has unlimited resources to utilize for every case. Experts and investigators of the highest caliber are retained, and the best staff and medical consultants are assigned to your team. While caring for our clients, we do whatever it takes to win.

Our South Carolina personal injury attorneys are skilled trial lawyers and tenacious advocates who argue for the unheard by giving them a voice and supporting those who are most in need.

We maximize the value of each case by working promptly and preparing it for trial from the start. In our pursuit of justice for our clients, we don’t leave any stone unturned.

Why You Need a Self-Driving Truck Accident Attorney?

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a self-driving car or truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. For injuries such as broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and lacerations, you may be able to file a claim to cover your medical expenditures.

A personal injury lawyer working on your case will investigate the accident scene, check your medical records, and assist you in obtaining the best medical treatment possible so that you can fully recover.

Autonomous/Self-Driving Trucks Accidents

Self-driving vehicles are a relatively new technology. For that reason, there is minimal data surrounding accidents. However, there have been studies conducted that show that accidents have occurred with self-driving vehicles. A recent article by the National Law Review showed that there have been over 40 car accidents that have occurred with autonomous vehicles.

Fortunately, only one person has been in a fatal accident with an autonomous vehicle.

As technology advances, we are likely to see more accidents with fully self-driving vehicles. A recent report found that there are now over 1,400 self-driving vehicles across the United States. Most of these vehicles are in warmer states where they do not have to handle various weather conditions.

Who Will Be Liable for Autonomous Truck Accidents?

Thе landscapе of commеrcial transportation is undеrgoing a rеvolution with thе adoption of Advanced Drivеr Assistancе Systеms (ADAS), incorporating tеchnologiеs likе collision mitigation, automatic cruisе control, and lanе assist. As thеsе autonomous features become morе prevalent in trucks, thеy crеatе nеw lеgal territories for both courts and insurancе systеms to navigatе, particularly whеn it comеs to dеsignating liability in accidеnts involving thеsе vеhiclеs. Thе quеstion thеn becomes who will bеar responsibility whеn an unexpected incidеnt occurs?

Traditional Liability in Truck Accidents

In traditional truck accidents not involving advanced autonomous features, liability can fall on a number of potential parties:

Drivers

In most cases, drivers may be held accountable if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident. This could include reckless driving, failing to obey traffic laws, driving while fatigued, or driving under the influence of alcohol. The negligent driver could be the truck driver, another driver, or even multiple drivers.

Trucking Companies

Under certain circumstances, trucking companies can also share liability. This can happen through negligent hiring practices, insufficient driver training/systems in place, or pushing drivers to violate federal regulations in order to get their deliveries finished on time.

Manufacturers

Another possible source of liability lies with the manufacturers of trucks or certain parts. If a vehicle component is found to be faulty and directly caused an accident – for example, the brakes weren’t working because of a manufacturing defect – the manufacturer could be held at least partially liable.

Shifting Liability in Autonomous Truck Accidents

As autonomous trucks become more common on roads, they displace traditional roles of human drivers, leading to a significant shift in how liability is assessed when accidents occur. Here’s how this could change the determination of who is responsible for an accident:

Manufacturers and Developers

The manufacturers and developers who design such systems can face scrutiny due to their involvement in creating these technologies. In an accident where system malfunctions are credited for failure, leading to an accident, those responsible for the truck’s programming could be held liable.

Software Programmers

Much like manufacturers, programmers are also likely to face more accountability. If an accident is traced back to software errors or inadequate responses under specific circumstances, the creators of the software could face liability claims.

Maintenance Providers

With autonomous systems operating at such high levels of complexity, routine and accurate maintenance becomes crucial. Service providers who are tasked with maintaining these vehicles could be held liable if a failure to properly update systems or neglect in regular checks leads to malfunctions that cause accidents.

Drivers

Even with the existence of autonomous trucks, truck drivers and others on the road may still be held partially liable for accidents. Drivers are expected to remain alert and intervene if these systems fail or in situations where manual control is required.

In this evolving landscape, it is crucial for all parties involved in the production and operation of autonomous trucks to understand their roles and potential liabilities.

Always Work With an Experienced Injury Lawyer

Regardless of the complexities or circumstances surrounding your accident, it’s imperative to secure legal representation for your personal injury case right away. Working with a personal injury lawyer gives you an edge in navigating the legal intricacies of emerging technologies like autonomous trucks.

Don’t navigate these waters alone; reach out today and schedule a free consultation with Mickelsen Dalton.

Contact a Self-Driving Truck Accident Attorney at Mickelsen Dalton

Our personal injury attorneys at Mickelsen Dalton LLC who are working on your case will investigate the accident scene, check your medical records, and assist you in recovering from your self-driving vehicle accident.

We will make every effort to hold all responsible parties accountable. Contact us online or call us right now at (843) 804-0428 (South Carolina) or (678) 641-9054 (Georgia) to learn more about your legal options. We accept cases in all of the jurisdictions where we have been admitted to practice in the United States.