Are Texas’ Laws Ready For Self-Driving Cars?

On behalf of Lovett Law Firm posted in Car Accidents on Monday, January 13, 2014.

At the end of last year, Google introduced the world to one of the first self-driving vehicles. Hailed as a huge accomplishment and the possible wave of the future, automakers have already jumped at the chance to become the first to produce. Why just recently, Nissan announced that it had plans to start producing the first autonomous vehicles by 2020, which means we could see this technology more and more on Texas’ roadways.

But is Texas really ready for just such a technology? Although self-driving vehicles are considered safer because they eliminate the human element and could reduce the number of car accidents across the United States, many people might be wondering if our current laws are ready for this new technology or if it will create more legal problems than solutions.

Take for example current tort laws, which afford protections to people injured or killed as a result of someone else’s negligence. In cases of car accidents, the other driver is usually at fault. In cases of products liability, the manufacturer is held liable. But let’s consider a complex scenario in which a drunk driver uses their autonomous driving system to get them home. If that system fails and the drunk driver crashes into another motorist, who is held liable for the injuries and damages caused in that crash?

A very real scenario like this could become common place in states across the nation. And if state lawmakers do not consider these circumstances and tailor laws to account for these new technologies, then accident victims might run in difficulties when trying to obtain the compensation they deserve. This might create not only a considerable amount of frustration but prolong litigation as well in future cases.

Source: NBC News, “Self-driving cars popular by mid-century: study,” Paul A. Eisenstein, Jan. 6, 2014