If a self-driving rideshare vehicle hurts you in California, you probably wonder who covers your damages. Several groups, such as manufacturers, software providers and rideshare companies, might share the blame. Knowing how liability works in these situations helps you protect your rights.
Who takes the blame?
When a self-driving rideshare vehicle causes a crash, figuring out who’s at fault gets tricky compared to regular accidents. These parties might face responsibility:
- Vehicle manufacturers: A broken part or harmful software could trigger the wreck. You can file a product liability claim against them if that happens.
- Rideshare companies: California law requires companies like Uber and Lyft to carry $1 million in insurance for their self-driving cars in autonomous mode.
- Human drivers: Even in self-driving cars, drivers might face consequences for not intervening when the system fails.
California law also demands that companies report all self-driving crashes to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. You can get these reports to help build your case.
How insurance works
In California, insurance for self-driving rideshare vehicles depends on the car’s mode during the crash. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Autonomous mode: The rideshare company provides $1 million in coverage.
- Manual mode: The driver’s insurance steps up with at least $30,000 per injury.
- Defective parts or software: The manufacturer’s policy kicks in, and coverage varies by situation.
These rules tie into California’s product liability laws. You can pursue claims against manufacturers for poor designs or missing warnings.
What to do after a crash
If a self-driving rideshare vehicle injures you, follow these steps:
- Gather proof: Get accident reports from the DMV and note if the car ran in autonomous or manual mode.
- Spot the cause: Determine if software bugs, hardware issues or driver mistakes led to the crash.
- Act quickly: California gives you two years to file a personal injury claim, but digital evidence from self-driving systems might disappear faster.
Moving fast and collecting strong evidence helps you fight for your deserved compensation.
What’s next for self-driving cars?
California now tests fully autonomous taxis with no human controls, but the legal landscape keeps changing. If one of these accidents injures you, sorting out blame gets challenging as technology speeds ahead while laws trail behind. You need solid evidence and quick action to claim compensation for your injuries.