Were you recently involved in a self-driving car accident in Tampa, Florida? Do you suspect that some autonomous vehicle function contributed to the crash? If so, you are likely confused about what your next steps are.
While self-driving car accidents are relatively new, the experienced car accident lawyers in Tampa with Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can use their foundation in personal injury law to advance your legal position and demand the compensation you are owed.
Contact us today in Tampa by calling (813) 686-7588 and arrange a free case review. Our self-driving car accident lawyers are standing by to assist.
How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Self-Driving Car Accident
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers has been in business since 1996. Since that time, technology has drastically changed, but we have kept up with the latest changes in technology and the law. Our founding attorney, Mark Roman, is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. He knows what it takes to win a case in civil court and can use the skills he has developed during his illustrious career to advance your case even in light of new features like autonomous vehicles.
Some of the honors we have received include:
- Tampa Bay’s Top Trial Lawyers
- Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- 10.0 Avvo Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Super Lawyers
When you hire our Tampa auto accident lawyers to represent you, we’ll be able to help with your case by:
- Collecting evidence and determining all of your damages via an extensive internal investigation into your case
- Standing up for your interests and handling all of the negotiations with the other party on your behalf
- Keeping you informed of your legal options at all times
- Protecting you from allegations that you’re to blame for the self-driving car crash
- Bringing your case in front of a Hillsborough County jury at trial if necessary
If you were hurt in an accident, you can rely on the more than 50 years of combined legal experience we have acquired. Contact our law office in Tampa, FL, today for trusted legal advice and assistance.
What Are Self-Driving Cars or Autonomous Vehicles?
Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles are two terms that describe the same thing: motor vehicles that are capable of fully handling the task of driving without human interaction or intervention. Since most car accidents are caused by driver error, it stands to reason that automated vehicles may be able to decrease the number of accidents.
Levels of Automation
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are six levels of automation. While there are ongoing test and pilot projects, the NHTSA says that we are only at Level 2 automation, and more advanced features are not currently available on today’s vehicles for consumer purchase in the United States. The six levels of automation include:
- Level 0 – Momentary Driver Assistance – This is the most basic form of driver automation. The vehicle sends out warnings and alerts to notify the driver of impending danger. Other types of technology at this automation level allow the vehicle to take action to avoid a crash. The driver is responsible for driving the vehicle at all times. Examples of this level of automation include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking.
- Level 1 – Driver Assistance – At this level of automation, the system provides assistance with acceleration, braking, or steering. The driver must remain fully engaged and attentive. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance are Level 1 automation features.
- Level 2 – Additional Assistance – At Level 2 automation, the system provides assistance with acceleration, braking, and steering. The driver must remain fully engaged and attentive. Highway pilot is an example of Level 2 automation.
- Level 3 – Conditional Automation – The vehicle’s system performs driving tasks. However, the driver must be available to take over control of the vehicle upon the vehicle’s request.
- Level 4 – High Automation – At this level of automation, the vehicle can complete all driving tasks within limited service areas. The driver does not have to be engaged.
- Level 5 – Full Automation – This is the highest level of automation. A human driver is not necessary and does not even need to be in the vehicle. The vehicle can operate under all conditions and on all roadways.
If you are involved in an accident caused by a self-driving car in Tampa, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you sort out liability issues.
Who Is Responsible for Self-Driving Car Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
According to the National Conference of State Legislators’ Autonomous Vehicles State Bill Tracking Database, there are not currently any laws that specifically define who is responsible for an accident involving a self-driving car. This means that traditional forms of liability would continue to apply. For example, the following parties may be responsible for self-driving car accidents:
- The driver – If the accident involved a lower level of automation, the car’s warnings likely inform the driver that they need to stay engaged in the task of driving and be able and available to take over if necessary. If the driver did not follow these directives, they may be considered negligent and responsible for resulting accidents.
- The manufacturer – The manufacturer may be to blame if there is a hardware or software manufacturing defect or a substandard vehicle design. Vehicle owners should also receive ample instructions, so they know how to use the features correctly.
- Maintenance providers – If the vehicle has software problems or other maintenance issues, the party responsible for maintaining the vehicle may be responsible for accidents caused by negligent repairs.
A Tampa self-driving car accident attorney can help sort out who might be responsible for your accident and advise you about all potential sources of compensation.
Contact Our Tampa Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance
If you were recently injured in a self-driving car accident in Tampa, the personal injury law firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our Tampa self-driving car accident attorneys offer a free case review you can arrange by calling (813) 491-8790. You can begin forming an attorney-client relationship with us today, and we’ll immediately get to work helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car accident claims in Tampa, including:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Highway crashes
- Intersection crashes
- Lane change accidents
- Left turn accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Parking lot accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Recreational vehicle accidents
- Red and yellow light crashes
- Road defects
- Rollover accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Speeding accidents
- U-turn crashes
- Uninsured motorists claims
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