With more autonomous vehicles on the road, the auto insurance industry is being affected. Unlike traditional vehicles, there is no driver to be at fault for a crash that might result. With the advanced technology, manned vehicles might end up being a thing of the past a few years from now.
However, right now, technology is being perfected and accidents can still result because of malfunctions or other errors. Because accidents can still happen, and damages can still result, you are probably left wondering who will pay for these damages caused by an accident involving a self-driving car.
The Complexity of Insurance Coverage
Self-driving cars can make the auto insurance process complicated. When a self-driving car makes a mistake, the automaker will be liable. Experts have noted that when a human driver is at fault for the crash, then his or her insurance coverage will foot the bill. But, when a self-driving car* has an accident, then the automaker is to blame.
Manufacturers of self-driving cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Google, have already accepted liability in cases where the self-driving system of the vehicle is at fault for the accident. Tesla has extended a special insurance program for customers buying self-driving Tesla vehicles. Since human error is chalked up as the cause of 94% of all motor vehicle accidents, it is likely that in the long run the number of car crashes will decrease.
The Process of Transition
Since self-driving vehicles are still relatively new, don’t expect this process to transition overnight. There will most likely be accidents and lawsuits before a definitive plan is in place.
Everything will have to be worked out, so precedents can fall into line. Automakers might have to put extensive tracking sensors in vehicles to determine whether the self-driving vehicle was at fault for an accident before the automaker will be readily willing to accept responsibility for the damages that result from a crash. While some technology might not be completely free from bugs, other technology can be used to help determine what exactly went wrong and why it happened.
Insurance Premiums Will Eventually Drop
Because the number of car accidents will decrease, auto insurance premiums will decrease. Auto insurance carriers will have to pay out fewer claims, so those who are driving vehicles will pay less out of pocket for their liability coverage. Advanced driver assistance systems are being found in more vehicles, so they are already working on decreasing the number of crashes even before fully self-driving cars are commonplace.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an accident with a self-driving car, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will know if the self-driving car has auto insurance or if the manufacturer is liable for your damages. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to get your details shared with an accident injury lawyer. Because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you have nothing to lose.
Additional Resources
*Source Cited: venturebeat.com/2018/01/26/3-ways-self-driving-cars-will-affect-the-insurance-industry/
