Autonomous vehicles are posing new challenges and raising a lot of questions when it comes to accidents and liability in Washington, D.C. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington, D.C. accident involving an autonomous vehicle, speak to a highly capable lawyer with Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP today. We will go over the circumstances of your accident and determine your legal options.
Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation with an experienced Washington, D.C. autonomous vehicle accident attorney. If you’re looking for information regarding passenger car accidents, visit our D.C. car accident attorney page for more information.
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- We have obtained over $1 billion in compensation for our clients.
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Autonomous Vehicle Driving Levels in D.C.
Level 1
Driver Assistance: Car handles one automatic task at a time, like automatic braking.
Level 2
Partial Automation: Capable of steering and acceleration being done simultaneously, but human intervention is still needed.
Level 3
Conditional Automation: In certain conditions, the vehicle can perform all safety-oriented functions, but a driver is needed to intercede when alerted.
Level 4
High Automation: Autonomous: Full autonomous operation of the vehicle, including navigating situations where a human driver would normally need to intervene.
Level 5
Full Automation: The vehicle is completely autonomous without a driver present.
Who is Liable in a D.C. Autonomous Vehicle Accident?
A variety of factors go into determining liability for autonomous vehicle accidents, including the automatic driving level of the vehicle and if there was a human driver present. Liability may fall on the:
- Manufacturer
If the vehicle was operating at a level 5, full automation, manufacturers may have to assume liability for their vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers may attempt to combat future liability issues by requiring at least a small degree of human monitoring, interaction and control in all vehicles. Requiring human assistance would then allow the manufacturer to claim plausible deniability.
- The Driver
Drivers can be liable in accidents if the autonomous vehicle they are operating requires them to take over control in the event of an emergency.
Claims may shift focus towards major corporations and large auto manufacturers in the future. In that case, the path to claiming compensation will become more complicated and expensive.
Why do you Need an Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer in D.C.?
Car accidents are already a complex claims process to navigate. Add the relatively new field of autonomous technology and the level of complication rises considerably. An autonomous vehicle accident attorney will help you navigate state and federal laws in the pursuit of damages for the losses you have endured. An independent investigation will be conducted by your lawyer in order to determine fault to ensure that the correct party will be held liable. Hiring an attorney can greatly improve your odds of recovering payment for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
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