According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most car accidents are caused by human error. This is why driver-assistance technologies have become commonplace in standard vehicles, such as cruise control, emergency brake systems, and backup cameras. And the recent presence of self-driving cars in the market brings this driver assistance to a whole other level. This is not to say that self-driving car accidents do not occur. Follow along to find out how self-driving cars can cause accidents and how a proficient car accident lawyer in Queens at the Law Offices of George Poulos can help you through this.
How can self-driving cars cause accidents?
To reiterate, human error can still have a self-driving car cause an accident. This is regardless of the driver-assistance technologies present in the car to promote safety. Such human error can come from a self-driving car manufacturer, software designer, or operator, and examples are as follows:
- A self-driving car manufacturer:
- Failing to test brakes and other mechanical parts for defects or malfunctions.
- Failing to send recalls in a timely manner for faulty brakes and other mechanical parts.
- A self-driving car software designer:
- Failing to test sensor systems for defects or malfunctions.
- Failing to send software updates in a timely manner for faulty technology.
- A self-driving car operator:
- Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Failing to take control of the vehicle and react to unexpected, outside stimuli that the sensors cannot predict (i.e., debris, jaywalkers, etc).
- Sitting in the passenger seat instead of the driver seat.
- Sleeping while behind the wheel.
- Texting while behind the wheel.
- Eating or drinking while behind the wheel.
What is the statute of limitations for a car accident claim?
Just because a car was self-driving at the time of your accident does not mean that there is not an at-fault party to hold accountable. So, whether it be a car manufacturer, a software designer, or a driver, you must file a personal injury claim to fully recover from your damages.
Importantly, there is a deadline when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. Otherwise known as the statute of limitations, this deadline will likely be three years from the date of your self-driving car accident. Missing this date means that you may be indefinitely prohibited from taking legal action. So, before it is too late, you must connect with one of the talented Queens personal injury attorneys today.
