Now more self-driving vehicles are on the roads than ever before. With this new kind of transportation comes a different landscape for personal injury claims.
Advanced technology, such as laser vision, radar, computer vision, odometry, and GPS are used to help guide these vehicles safely through their environment. It allows them to maneuver and navigate around things. However, if something malfunctions, an accident can result.
If you have been in a self-driving car accident in Washington, you should consult with a personal injury attorney because you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Self-driving vehicle accident claims can be even more challenging than the regular accident claim.
How Negligence Comes into Play
Negligence is imperative to a successful personal injury claim. There are four elements of negligence.
First, there must be a duty or a responsibility of the plaintiff to act in a certain manner to protect others from harm. Then, you must show that the duty was breached. This might be the vehicle going too fast or running a stop sign. Third, you must show that the breach of duty led to a problem, and in this case, an accident. Then last, you must prove that the damages and injuries that resulted were because of the accident from the breach of duty.
In Washington, contributory fault is the kind of negligence used for personal injury claims.
Washington Accident and Insurance Laws
When contributory fault is used, you are only allowed to claim a portion of damages, but you can still recover.
As an example, you can only recover the percentage of damages that the other driver was responsible for. If you were 30% at fault for the accident and the other party was 70% at fault, you can only recover 70% of your total damages. This means if you suffered $100,000 in damages, you can not recover more than $70,000 from the other party.
You will need to maintain all evidence and documentation to support your claim, such as the medical records, medical bills, repair estimates, and accident report.
In Washington, drivers are required to maintain auto insurance coverage. The bodily injury liability coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Property damage liability coverage must be at least $10,000. If you drive without the required insurance, you will be fined $450. It can also cause the cost of getting coverage to increase because you did not have the right coverage. If you don’t pay the fine or set up payment arrangements, you can have your driving privileges suspended.
Consult With a Washington Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been in an accident with a self-driving vehicle in Washington, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. An attorney can determine the best way to proceed with your claim. In Washington, there is a three-year statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim, so if you wait too long you might not be able to recover compensation. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today to get your claim on track!
