Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous or driverless cars, are vehicles that can operate and navigate roads without a human driver. While major companies like Tesla, Google, Uber, and traditional automakers race to release self-driving cars to the public, accidents involving these vehicles are increasing.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a self-driving car in Temecula or surrounding areas, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The law firm of Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers has over 25 years of experience representing injury victims in car accident cases of all types. Our award-winning Temecula personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and resources to build a strong claim against at-fault parties like self-driving car manufacturers.
To learn more about how our Temecula self-driving car accident lawyers can help you pursue maximum compensation, call us today at (951) 699-2100 for a free consultation.
Self-Driving Car Accident Injury Claims Are Complex
Self-driving car accidents lead to some unique legal issues that require an attorney who’s well-versed in this cutting-edge technology. Some key issues include:
- Establishing liability – With no human driver at the wheel, liability can be more difficult to prove. It’s crucial for your attorney to understand the latest self-driving technology and find evidence of defects or negligence.
- Multiple potential defendants – In addition to the owner of the self-driving car, other potentially liable parties could include the car manufacturer, software developer, parts suppliers, mapping companies, and more.
- Accessing black box data – Self-driving cars record huge amounts of data that provide insight into what went wrong. Getting access to this data requires legal knowledge and strategic negotiating.
- Navigating new laws and regulations – As the technology evolves, so do the laws and regulations surrounding it. An experienced attorney will know how to leverage the latest legal landscape.
The Temecula car accident attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury have the in-depth understanding of self-driving car technology and the proven legal experience to handle these complex cases effectively.
Why Choose Us for Your Self-Driving Car Accident Case
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a driverless vehicle anywhere in Riverside County or San Diego County, Zucker Personal Injury can help. With over two decades of success securing substantial compensation for clients, our credentials speak for themselves:
We Know How to Win Challenging Cases
Attorney Andrew Zucker has personally tried over 40 jury trials, including some of the largest personal injury verdicts in the state. Even if an insurance company tries to lowball you, the Zucker Personal Injury firm has the resources to take your case to trial if needed to secure fair compensation.
We Give Every Client Personalized Attention
Far too many personal injury law firms take on a huge volume of cases, leaving clients feeling lost in the shuffle. The Zucker Personal Injury law firm handles a very limited caseload. This selective approach allows us to focus closely on every client’s case, customizing our legal strategy to address their unique circumstances and needs.
We Use Extensive, Up-to-Date Legal Resources
Successfully litigating a self-driving car accident case requires an up-to-date legal library and significant backing. Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers invests heavily in each client’s case, enabling us to work with top expert witnesses and specialists. Even if an insurance company tries to delay or deny your claim, we have the resources to fight for you over the long term and secure full compensation.
If you want aggressive and strategic legal representation for your driverless car accident case, contact our Temecula office today at (951) 699-2100 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Self-Driving Car Technology and Accident Risks
While autonomous vehicle technology has the potential to reduce traffic collisions in the long run, every system has flaws – especially in these early stages. Recent accidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot system highlight the risks drivers currently face with semi-autonomous vehicles. Some common causes of self-driving car accidents include:
- System or sensor malfunctions – A glitch in the technology causes the vehicle to act unpredictably and unsafely.
- Mapping errors – Imprecise mapping data leads to poor decision making.
- Software bugs – Problems with the programming impact driving competence.
- Cybersecurity issues – Hackers could potentially access systems remotely and manipulate operations.
- Lack of human override – The human driver cannot properly or quickly override when the system fails.
- Dangerous weather conditions – Self-driving systems still struggle to handle heavy rain, snow, fog, and the like.
- Inadequate regulations and testing – Loopholes in regulations allow flawed self-driving systems to launch prematurely without sufficient testing.
As this technology continues to advance rapidly, injury lawyers expect accident rates to climb. Our Temecula car accident attorneys stay abreast on all emerging autonomous vehicle issues, so we can determine liability when these crashes occur.
Self-Driving Car Accident Lawsuit Process
If you or someone you love has been injured by an autonomous car or Tesla on self-driving mode, you have legal rights to hold any irresponsible parties fully accountable. Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers can immediately launch an independent investigation of your crash to build a strong injury claim. Here is an overview of what to expect when working with our team:
Step 1: Free Case Review
During your initial free consultation with our Temecula personal injury lawyers, we will listen closely to the details of your unique situation. Next, we will discuss your options and offer our candid perspective on how to proceed. There are no fees or obligations for this case evaluation.
Step 2: Collecting Evidence
A self-driving car accident lawsuit hinges on proving liability. After formally signing you on as a client, our legal team will start gathering and analyzing evidence related to:
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage assessments
- Medical records
- Applicable self-driving car regulations
- Potential product defects
- Software data & vehicle history
- Company policies and protocols
- And more.
We take an aggressive approach to evidence collection using subpoenas, Freedom of Information Act requests, court orders, and other legal means to secure all relevant details that support your claim.
Step 3: Demand Letter and Settlement Negotiations
Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers will send a demand letter to all liable parties specifying the compensation you are legally entitled to for your damages. This typically includes coverage of:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress.
We will negotiate firmly on your behalf to reach a fair self-driving accident settlement. However, if they refuse to pay what you deserve, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court.
Step 4: Personal Injury Trial
If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached out of court, we have the proven litigation experience and resources to build a court case proving the defendant’s liability for your injuries. Our track record of successful verdicts speaks for itself. With over 40 successful jury trial verdicts secured for past clients, Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers knows what it takes to win.
Throughout every stage of this legal process, our compassionate Temecula personal injury attorneys will provide responsive, personalized support. You can focus on your recovery while we fight to maximize your self-driving accident compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Driving Car Accidents
If you were recently injured by an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle like a Tesla, you likely have many questions about your legal rights and options. Here we answer some of the most common queries we receive from driverless car accident victims:
Who is liable when a self-driving car causes an accident?
Establishing liability is complex. Potential responsible parties include the self-driving car owner, automaker, software developer, component manufacturers, mapping data companies, technicians, and more. An attorney must investigate crash specifics to pinpoint faults.
What damages can I recover after a self-driving accident?
You are entitled to full compensation for all accident-related losses. This often includes medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and wrongful death damages if a fatality was involved.
Will my car insurance cover my self-driving accident claim?
It depends. The at-fault driver’s liability coverage will be the first source of compensation. However, given the complexity of these crashes, additional liable parties and insurance policies often come into play. An attorney will identify all avenues for compensation.
Do I need a lawyer for my self-driving accident case?
Absolutely. The legal process following a serious driverless car crash is convoluted. Automakers and their insurers fiercely protect their interests. Without aggressive legal representation negotiating firmly on your behalf, your rights will not be protected and you will not receive fair compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a self-driving accident attorney?
Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means no upfront payments are required from clients. We only collect legal fees AFTER securing compensation for you. If we cannot recover damages, our services cost nothing.
How long do I have to file a self-driving accident lawsuit?
Each state has strict statutes of limitations dictating legal time limits. In California, injury victims typically have just two years from the date of their accident to pursue legal action. Evidence can disappear quickly, so contacting a qualified lawyer immediately is crucial.
Have additional questions about pursuing a driverless car accident injury claim? Reach out to the legal team at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers for reliable guidance and representation. Call (951) 699-2100 today.
About Zucker Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers, APC
For over 25 years, the award-winning Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC have provided reliable legal services in Temecula. We offer our aggressive legal representation exclusively to injury victims and families who have lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Our personal injury and wrongful death practice areas include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Premises liability cases
- Product liability
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- And more.
Led by renowned trial attorney Andrew Zucker, our small firm provides every client with personalized attention as well as the resources to take on large insurance companies and corporations.
No case is too complex. Reach out to the Zucker Personal Injury firm if you or someone you care about has been harmed in an accident involving a self-driving or semi-autonomous vehicle in Temecula. We serve the entirety of Riverside County and San Diego County. Call our Temecula office today at (951) 699-2100 for a free consultation.
