Fully autonomous vehicles, also called “driverless vehicles,” may not be available yet, but they may be coming soon. Car companies continue to improve the technology used to operate autonomous systems for motor vehicles. But, for the moment, automakers use driver-assisted systems to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
However, these “self-driving cars” do not prevent all traffic accidents. In some cases, driver assistance technology can even cause a traffic accident. Self-driving car accidents in Miami, FL, are becoming more common.
If you were in such an accident, you need a Miami car accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer has recovered millions for car accident victims, and we’re ready to help you.
Contact our legal team or call (305) 257-9464 to schedule a free consultation with a Miami self-driving car accident lawyer.
How Our Miami Car Accident Lawyers Can Help After Your Crash
Self-driving cars can and do cause accidents. However, these accidents create challenges for victims trying to file injury claims. It’s new technology and presents new complexities for personal injury law.
Our Miami car accident lawyers at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer stay abreast of new developments in car accident law. We use our cutting-edge knowledge of the law to help our clients recover the money they deserve after their accidents.
When you hire our Miami personal injury lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Investigate your car accident to determine who is liable
- File insurance claims and monitor the progress of the claim with the insurance company
- Handle all communication with insurance adjusters and investigators
- Work with expert witnesses, as necessary, to gather evidence
- Document your damages and negotiate for fair settlement amounts
- Advocate for you in court if the other party refuses to negotiate in good faith
Our legal team is dedicated to helping accident victims recover the money they deserve. Reach out to our law office online or by phone to schedule your free case evaluation with a personal injury attorney in Miami, Florida.
Who Can I Sue for a Self-Driving Car Accident in Miami?
You will typically seek compensation from your own insurer after a crash. However, according to Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, you can sue the parties who caused your car crash if you sustained serious injuries.
You have the burden of proving that the party:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Breached the duty of care
- The breach of duty caused your injury
- You sustained damages
There are many parties who could be at fault for a self-driving car accident, including the driver, car manufacturer, software developer, maintenance facilities, and repair shops. In most cases, driver error will be the cause of the car crash.
However, if the driver assistance technology malfunctioned or was defective, other parties may be partially liable for your damages under product liability laws.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Self-Driving Car Accident?
The types of damages you can receive for a car accident will depend on several factors. The parties involved in the case, the severity of your injuries, and your financial losses are all significant factors. Also, the availability of insurance coverage and the strength of your evidence can impact how much your personal injury claim is worth.
You could recover economic and non-economic damages for a self-driving car accident claim. Those damages might include:
- Past and future loss of income and benefits
- Past and future medical bills, nursing care, and personal care
- Loss of enjoyment of life and decreased quality of life
- Physical, occupational, and other types of therapy
- Emotional, physical, and mental pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement, impairments, and disabilities
Each case is different. You can discuss your case in detail with a Miami car accident attorney during a free consultation.
Are Self-Driving Cars and Driver Assistance Technology Safe?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that driver assistance technologies have the potential to reduce car accidents.
Driver assistance technologies include:
- Collision warning systems, including blind spot and forward-collision warnings
- Collision intervention systems, including automatic emergency braking and rear automatic braking
- Driver control assistance, including lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance
- Backup cameras to prevent rear crashes
None of these systems are designed to operate without a human driver. Motorists driving vehicles must pay attention to the road. Even when they have driver assistance technology, sending a text message, watching a video, and grooming are distractions that can cause accidents.
The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently called on Telsa to act on the agency’s recommendations four years ago. The head of the agency said the rollout of the Full Self-Driving software for the Tesla model allows Tesla drivers to test the system on public roads.
The tests are being done without addressing the design shortcomings. These shortcomings allowed three fatal Tesla crashes.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Car Wreck Lawyer in Miami
Automated vehicles or self-driving cars are not entirely safe. If you or your family member sustained injuries in a car crash, call now for a free consultation with a Miami car accident lawyer. Our lawyers at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer are here to help after a self-driving car accident in Miami, FL.
Other Car Accident Cases We Cover
- Intersection crashes
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Defective tires accidents
- Head-on collisions
- DWI accidents