Syracuse, New York, Self-Driving Car Accident

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Is a Recognized Super Lawyer Committed to Defending the Rights of Self-Driving Car Accident Victims Across Syracuse, New York. If You, or a Loved One, Have Been Injured in a Self-Driving Crash That Was Not Your Fault, Jed Dietrich, Esq., and His Seasoned Team of Attorneys Could Help You Begin Building a Compelling Claim for Compensation.

---

Self-driving cars are becoming a common sight on Syracuse roads.

Although self-driving cars come with advantages, they can present an unexpected level of risk. Companies like Tesla often claim that their autonomous vehicles are safer than their human-operated counterparts, but collisions can, and still do, happen regularly.

If you, or a loved one, has been injured in a self-driving car accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. Please send the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a car accident lawyer near Syracuse and begin exploring your options for effective legal relief.

Self-Driving Cars And Traffic Accidents

Self-driving cars are often marketed as safer alternatives to conventional motor vehicles.

However, even though accident reporting statistics indicate that self-driving cars are somewhat less likely to be involved in collisions than other automobiles, technology cannot prevent every possible crash. According to a recent series of reports, manufacturers like Tesla admitted that drivers using features like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” are involved in hundreds of accidents each year.

Here is what you need to know about self-driving cars, and who could be held liable after an accident:

Understanding the Limitations of Autonomous Driving Technology

Self-driving cars are not actually self-driving.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, today’s self-driving cars typically fall into one of the following six levels of automation:

1. No automation. A Level 0 vehicle has no automated features. Instead, the vehicle’s human operator performs all driving-related tasks, from steering and braking to switching on the high beams.
2. Driver assistance features. A Level 1 vehicle has a limited set of driver-assistance features. It may be able to regulate speed through cruise control, but it probably cannot brake or negotiate turns without manual input.
3. Partial automation. A Level 2 vehicle can steer and accelerate without human input. However, the driver must remain alert and ready to retake control of the vehicle at any time.
4. Conditional automation. A Level 3 vehicle has the same capabilities as a car with partial automation features. It can also detect and respond to environmental features, including unexpected obstacles and dynamic traffic conditions. Despite the capabilities of Level 3 vehicles, drivers must still exercise caution.
5. High automation. A Level 4 vehicle can perform all standard driving tasks under ordinary traffic conditions. Human override is still required.
6. Full automation. A Level 5 vehicle is fully autonomous and can perform any and all driving tasks under any and all conditions. Human input is not required and, in some cases, may not be allowed.

People often believe that the sorts of self-driving cars on the market today fall toward the latter end of the scale. However, even advanced self-driving cars equipped with features like Tesla Autopilot and Tesla Full Self-Driving only meet the criteria to be categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 vehicles, respectively.

Determining Liability After a Self-Driving Car Accident

Since self-driving cars still require constant supervision and regular operator input, most collisions involve an element of human error on the part of a reckless driver, an irresponsible manufacturer, or even a negligent mechanic.

Your Syracuse self-driving car accident lawyer could work with you to determine who should be held liable for your collision. The process of determining liability could involve:

1. Coordinating with law enforcement to obtain and review incident reports;
2. Consulting an expert witness to reconstruct the accident scene or identify critical defects in your self-driving vehicle;
3. Subpoenaing communications records, surveillance camera footage, and other sensitive information; and
4. Interviewing eyewitnesses.

Identifying the right defendants is critical to the outcome of almost every personal injury lawsuit.

Self-driving car claims, in particular, have a reputation for being difficult to litigate. Even if you suspect that a technological defect caused or contributed to your accident, manufacturers do not like to admit that their software has faults. Instead of admitting liability, a car-maker could try to pin the blame on you or another driver, saying that the company should not be responsible for an operator putting too much trust in Autopilot-type technology.

You do not have to wait to get answers about your case. Send the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. a message online today to schedule your free initial consultation with a Syracuse, NY, self-driving car accident lawyer.

Your Potential Damages After A Self-Driving Car Crash

Although New York is a no-fault state, the terms of a typical insurance policy are rarely sufficient to cover the cost of a serious self-driving car accident.

However, you should never feel obligated to pay the difference out of your own pocket.

Depending on the circumstances of your crash, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries, compensation that can help pay down your medical debt, replace lost income from work, and kickstart your recovery.

In New York, car accident survivors are often entitled to damages, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Your existing medical bills;
2. Your anticipated and long-term care needs;
3. Physical therapy or rehabilitation;
4. Medication co-pays and deductibles;
5. Miscellaneous expenses, like the cost of parking at the hospital;
6. Lost income from work;
7. Lost or exhausted paid time off (PTO);
8. Pain and suffering;
9. Disfigurement; and
10. Wrongful death.

Unlike many other states, New York does not cap or otherwise limit damages in most personal injury lawsuits. In other words, you could receive as much compensation as you need to begin rebuilding your life.

However, you cannot afford to wait too long before taking action.

If you delay, the New York statute of limitations for car accidents could run out. If it runs out, you will most likely lose your right to recover damages. Do not risk your rights: call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at 1-866-529-5334 to schedule your free consultation.

How The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Could Help You Assert Your Rights After A Serious Self-Driving Car Accident

You do not have to take chances with your right to a fair recovery.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades working alongside car accident victims and their loved ones. We know what it takes to build a compelling, evidence-based case for compensation, and we have the results to prove it. Since our founding in 2005, we have helped our clients secure more than $250 million in damages.

We could help you by:

1. Investigating the causes of your car accident;
2. Identifying the right defendants for your claim;
3. Collecting, analyzing, and presenting critical evidence;
4. Talking to insurance adjusters and attending settlement negotiations; and
5. Preparing to take your case to trial.

A recognized U.S News & World Report Best Law Firm, our record speaks for itself.

Please send us a message online or call us at 1-866-529-5334 to speak to a self-driving car accident lawyer near Syracuse and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

---

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 1-866-529-5334 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

---