Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyers Delaware

Holding Negligent Companies Responsible for AI Failures

When most of us head out for our daily commute, we fully expect to eventually make it home no worse for the wear. Unfortunately, the risk of vehicular collisions is ever-present. When you’re involved in such a wreck, your first inclination will typically be to check on the other driver before ever even thinking of reaching out to a car crash attorney. If you discover your collision involved a self-driving automobile, however, it’s time to contact an autonomous vehicle accident lawyer in Delaware.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of Delaware personal injury law. Our experienced auto accident attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals who suffer serious injuries due to the negligence of others. In many cases, this involves holding negligent drivers accountable — but when driverless cars are involved, the issues become more complex. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation to better understand your rights.

Are Self-Driving Cars Dangerous?

When we first heard about autonomous automobiles hitting the road, we were led to believe that the main goal was safety. After all, imagine how many accidents could be avoided by simply removing human error. Unfortunately, self-driving vehicles often just shift human error from drivers to automobile manufacturers. While we’re led to believe that these cars are safer than human drivers, these vehicles actually have a higher rate of collisions than human-controlled autos.

Over a recent 11-month period, driverless vehicles were involved in nearly 400 accidents. These included collisions with other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even stationary objects. The accidents resulted in at least six serious injuries and five deaths. It’s heartbreaking to think that this technology — which was touted as a safety improvement — is leading to major physical harm and even wrongful death cases.

While the idea of robotic cars mindlessly hitting innocent victims is scary enough, it turns out that things could actually be worse. Manufacturers are currently testing autonomous semi-trucks to transport goods across the nation. This means that an 80,000-lbs vehicle could soon be barrelling down the highway next to unsuspecting drivers. Who knows? Truck accident attorneys might just see an influx in cases once this becomes the norm.

Why Do Autonomous Vehicles Wreck?

The work that’s gone into making driverless cars is obviously extensive. Even if they put autonomous vehicles on the road that aren’t fully ready, manufacturers undoubtedly have invested a significant amount of resources into their products. With such a focus on safety — if for no other reason than to offer the first mass-produced model — how do such accidents keep occurring? There is actually a variety of reasons behind this. They include:

• Potential for fire: Lithium-ion batteries used in driverless vehicles have an increased risk of combustion.
• Imperfect technology: Driverless technology has not been perfected. For instance, studies have found that autonomous vehicles have a more difficult time spotting pedestrians with darker skin tones.
• Driver error: No current vehicle on the road is truly driverless. Test models always have someone behind the wheel. These drivers are often lulled into a false sense of security and don’t respond to hazards.
• Lack of nationwide standards: A failure to enact appropriate federal regulations regarding driverless cars means manufacturers aren’t currently living up to the same standards as others.
• Hackers: Like many other types of modern technology, self-driving cars are at risk for cyber attacks. This can result in criminals being given access to 3,500-lbs dangerous machines.

Unfortunately, the causes of driverless car collisions are many and varied. This is why you should speak with an autonomous vehicle accident lawyer in Delaware as soon as possible. If a self-driving vehicle caused you to wreck, you may be entitled to significant compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more. You’ll likely need a legal professional, though, to help you navigate the complex issues involved.

Do I Need a Delaware Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer?

At some point following an auto accident, nearly everyone asks themselves if they need an attorney. This is an understandable question since there’s nothing to stop personal injury victims from seeking compensation on their own. Unfortunately, this isn’t typically a wise decision. Statistics show that accident victims who are represented by attorneys receive higher settlement offers and court awards on average. This is reason enough to speak with a Delaware autonomous vehicle accident attorney.

Of course, you’ll likely get a call from an insurer soon after your accident. After all, manufacturers want to put these issues to rest as quickly as possible. Bad publicity is not a great thing for companies who fund research into this technology — particularly since some individual firms have already invested $35 billion in creating a line of driverless cars. That means you’re likely to get a call sooner rather than later.

If this is the case, don’t say anything. Self-driving car manufacturers and their insurers would love nothing more than for you to accidentally admit some level of fault. You need to have a consultation with an autonomous vehicle accident attorney before ever speaking to anyone about the incident. Don’t ruin your chance at maximum compensation for yourself and your loved ones. Reach out to Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law today.

Contact an Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Delaware Today

Technology has done amazing things for our civilization, and these advances will no doubt continue to play a massive role in the evolution of our species. Unfortunately, no technological advancement comes without disadvantages. While widespread use of autonomous vehicles may one day reduce auto accidents and fatal collisions, the technology simply isn’t there yet. Until that point, others on American roads may be at risk due to driverless vehicles.

At Schwartz & Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, we applaud the drive toward technological improvement. When innocent individuals are harmed or killed during this process, though, it’s imperative that manufacturers and designers are held accountable. If you’ve been injured by a self-driving car in Delaware, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, or Maryland, our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers may be able to help. Contact us today by calling 302-678-8700 to schedule a free case review.