As autonomous vehicles become more prevalent on our roads, questions about liability in the event of an accident are increasingly important. This blog post will delve into the specifics of liability in autonomous car accidents in Georgia and how an Atlanta car wreck attorney can help.
Determining Liability in Autonomous Car Accidents
Autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars, are changing the landscape of transportation. However, with this new technology comes new legal challenges, particularly in the realm of liability.
In traditional car accidents, the driver is typically held responsible. However, in the case of autonomous vehicles, the question of liability becomes more complex.
Depending on the specific circumstances, the operator of the autonomous vehicle may be liable for your injuries. If the crash was caused by a defect in the self-driving system, you may have a product liability claim against a designer, software engineer or vehicle manufacturer.
Georgia’s Autonomous Vehicle Laws
Georgia was the 6th state to enact autonomous vehicle laws. As per current Georgia laws, self-driving or autonomous vehicles are fully legal. The laws enacted in Georgia, such as House Bill 472 and Senate Bill 219, define automated driving systems, autonomous vehicles, and other related terms.
Senate Bill 219 permits passengers without a driver’s license to operate an autonomous vehicle as long as the automated driving system is engaged. It also specifies conditions that must be met for a vehicle to operate without a human driver and various registration and insurance requirements.
This bill stipulates that the fully autonomous vehicle must be able to run in a “minimal risk condition.” This requires the vehicle to operate in a low-risk mode, be able to a “safe state” such as bringing the vehicle to a complete stop should the autonomous driving system fail.
Insurance and Liability Coverage for Autonomous Vehicles
Georgia’s car insurance laws mandate that drivers have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability. For self-driving cars Georgia Statute 40-8-11 increases the minimum amount of personal insurance that the operator must have as follows:
- $300,000 coverage for bodily injuries or death of all persons in one accident up to a maximum of $100,000 per person.
- $50,000 coverage for property damage.
Product Liability Risk
AV manufacturers must prepare for potential product liability risk when individuals or property are damaged by or in circumstances surrounding autonomous vehicles. Product liability plaintiffs will likely pursue what a company did to fully understand its artificial intelligence (“AI”) capabilities, what inputs were used to guide AI, and how a product was programmed to react to various inputs.
Contact an Atlanta Car Crash Lawyer for Guidance
As autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve, so will the laws and regulations applicable to self-driving cars. It’s crucial for anyone involved in an autonomous vehicle accident to consult with an experienced Atlanta car crash attorney at the Weinstein Law Firm as soon as possible.
Contact us at 770-HELP-NOW to schedule your consultation as soon as possible!
