Orlando Self-Driving Car Accident Attorneys | The Nunez Law Firm

Self-Driving
Accident Attorney

The newest innovation in auto transportation today is the self-driving car. This type of vehicle is gaining momentum in Orlando, proving to many that it is a safe way to get around on the roads. Today you can find both fully autonomous cars and semi-autonomous vehicles on the state’s roads. As the number of accidents continues to rise, our self-driving vehicle accident attorneys have studied not only the laws but also the legal implications of the various provisions of the Florida statutes on self-driving.

Self-Driving Vehicle Accident Attorneys: Orlando, Florida

Technology has its peculiarities. Often, self-driving car accident attorneys in Orlando must investigate whether the technology is what caused the accident. Companies that own self-driving cars sometimes use confusing language in their agreements with passengers. In that case, the attorney must study every clause to prove the liability of the operator in the event of force majeure on the road.

Self-Driving Car Accident FAQs

New technologies, including those related to self-driving passenger transportation, have given rise to both typical and unusual car incidents. The legal framework is evolving, and sometimes evidence must be scraped together so that the injured party can receive compensation. These FAQs will help you understand the situation better. If you can’t find your answer, you can always contact us for a free consultation.

Are Self-Driving Cars Safe?

High-tech is steadily entering our lives, but it also presents certain problems. This applies to self-driving cars, which are widespread in Orlando. The safety of operating cars is of the utmost importance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that “about 94% of accidents are purely due to human error”. Car companies that manufacture such vehicles must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, which requires that risks be minimized.

How Many Accidents Are Caused by Self-Driving Cars?

Statistics on crashes involving self-driving vehicles are kept by both the federal government and public agencies. However, currently, official sources do not provide accurate data.

The NHTSA maintains statistics on car accidents in the United States:

  • In 2019, 3,096 people died on U.S. highways.
  • The economic cost of automobile accidents was $242 billion, with $57.6 billion due to lost productivity.
  • Costs associated with fatalities, as well as reduced quality of life, were $594 billion.

 

Automated vehicles can free up to 50 minutes of time that drivers previously devoted to driving.

In the coming years, the fleet of self-driving vehicles will increase, as will the number of car accidents. Many people agree that it is necessary to toughen legislation to make the technical requirements for the operation of such vehicles stricter.

How Many Deaths Have Self-Driving Cars Caused?

According to experts, there will be at least 4.5 million self-driving cars in the United States by 2035. Already, the number of crashes involving high-tech cars is increasing. On average, 9.1 accidents involving autonomous cars occur per 1 million km of roads. Conventional vehicles are involved in accidents less frequently, i.e., about 4.1 accidents per 1 million km of roads. In 2020, for example, two pedestrians died, with one being a victim of a Tesla car and the other of an Uber. In addition, four drivers of self-driving cars were recorded. The number of people injured is also beginning to increase as self-driving cars are introduced in many states in the U.S. and in Orlando County.

How Much Will Self-Driving Cars Reduce Accidents?

The requirements for self-driving cars are strict, so there is hope that the number of accidents will decline. Currently, self-driving cars are only 10% safer than standard cars. Lawyer referrals related to self-driving car-related injuries are increasing, not only in Orlando County but in the state as a whole.

The Rise of Self-Driving Car Technology

The development of unmanned car technology is growing. Today, the segment leaders are Tesla, Waymo, Baidu, Daimler, Uber, and Lyft. Apple and Google have announced their intentions to develop unmanned technologies. The financial turnover of self-driving cars is $54 billion, and by 2035 it will reach astronomical figures. Along with this is an increasing demand from authorities to increase the safety of self-driving cars. In addition to human error, our self-driving car accident lawyer in Orlando cites the following causes of accidents:

  • On-board computer malfunction;
  • manufacturing defect;
  • cyberattacks by third parties on the computers; and
  • poor car maintenance by the business owner.

 

These factors lead to numerous injuries. Our Orlando lawyers can stand up for the injured person.

Injuries and Deaths Involving Self-Driving Cars Are "Inevitable"

Injuries involving self-driving cars are becoming common among passengers, and especially among drivers. Vehicle accident attorneys in Orlando deal with lawsuits in which the following injuries are most commonly recorded:

  • 2nd- and 3rd-degree burns from exploding batteries;
  • spinal cord injury;
  • craniocerebral trauma;
  • internal bleeding;
  • injury to the upper extremities;
  • broken bones;
  • torn ligaments and muscles; and
  • bruises, cuts, and abrasions.

Many attorneys in the United States have also encountered lawsuits involving fatalities. Drivers of self-driving cars are most often killed. Passengers are the second-most-common fatalities, followed by pedestrians.

Who Is Liable in a Self-Driving Car Crash?

Self-driving car crashes are legally complex. Attorneys in Orlando must untangle cases while relying on current state law. For example, if the accident involved a real driver, the attorneys know what laws and other regulations can be applied to the situation. Things are worse with self-driving cars, as no clear legislation can be applied to a specific accident. The following Florida laws are used to investigate accidents involving self-driving cars:

  • Florida 316.85. Complete regulations governing the operation of unmanned vehicles in Florida.
  • Florida 316.003. Determining the legal status of autonomous vehicles.
  • Florida 95.11. Time limitation and justification for drone accident claim.

When making a claim, attorneys also use the general provisions of Florida commons law.

Get a Free Consultation

If you have been involved in a car crash, we can offer you a free consultation with our lawyer. Contact an on-call specialist at your convenience for a free initial consultation on your case.

Written by Rafael NunezAttorneyPosted on October 20, 2021

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