Autonomous vehicle accident law addresses crashes involving self-driving or partially automated vehicles, such as Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, and vehicles using advanced driver-assistance or “full self-driving” systems.
Unlike conventional motor vehicle accidents, autonomous vehicle claims may involve manufacturers, technology companies, fleet operators, or multiple parties depending on how the vehicle was designed, programmed, and operated at the time of the crash.
This page provides an overview of how autonomous vehicle accident claims are evaluated under motor vehicle and product liability laws, how liability is determined, and how compensation may be affected.
All content on Laws101 is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney.
Autonomous vehicle accident law addresses crashes involving self-driving or partially automated vehicles, such as Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, and vehicles using advanced driver-assistance or “full self-driving” systems.
Unlike conventional motor vehicle accidents, autonomous vehicle claims may involve manufacturers, technology companies, fleet operators, or multiple parties depending on how the vehicle was designed, programmed, and operated at the time of the crash.
This page provides an overview of how autonomous vehicle accident claims are evaluated under motor vehicle and product liability laws, how liability is determined, and how compensation may be affected.
All content on Laws101 is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney.
How Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Are Different
Autonomous vehicle accidents differ from traditional crashes because there may be no human driver at fault. Instead, liability may depend on how the vehicle’s hardware, software, sensors, or decision-making systems performed.
Key differences include:
- No human error or distraction
- Reliance on AI, sensors, and algorithms
- Corporate or manufacturer responsibility
- Overlapping state and federal regulations
Common Causes of Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Autonomous vehicle crashes may occur due to:
- Sensor or camera failures
- Software or algorithm errors
- Inability to recognize pedestrians, cyclists, or traffic signals
- Improper system updates or maintenance
- Human misuse of semi-autonomous features
In some cases, a combination of technology failure and human oversight may contribute to the accident.
How Liability Is Determined in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Liability in autonomous vehicle accidents is often evaluated under product liability and negligence principles, rather than traditional traffic fault rules.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Software developers
- Autonomous fleet operators
- Maintenance or servicing companies
- Human occupants (in partially autonomous vehicles)
Investigations often rely on vehicle data logs, software records, sensor data, and regulatory compliance history.
Insurance Issues in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Insurance coverage in autonomous vehicle crashes can be complex and may involve:
- Manufacturer or corporate insurance policies
- Commercial fleet coverage
- Traditional auto insurance (in semi-autonomous cases)
- Excess or umbrella policies
Determining which policy applies often depends on whether the vehicle was operating autonomously and who controlled the system at the time of the crash.
Autonomous Vehicle Accidents and Mass Tort Lawsuits
Some autonomous vehicle injury claims may be part of mass tort litigation when multiple people are harmed by the same defective system or technology. These cases are handled individually but coordinated through centralized court proceedings to streamline discovery and pretrial issues.
As autonomous vehicle deployment expands, courts are increasingly addressing claims involving systemic technology failures rather than isolated driving errors.
Relationship to Other Motor Vehicle Accident Types
Autonomous vehicle accidents may overlap with other categories of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents (when autonomous vehicles are used in ride services)
Understanding these relationships helps clarify how different legal frameworks may apply.
Related Autonomous Vehicle Accident Resources
The resources below explore common questions and scenarios related to autonomous vehicle accident claims in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
- How Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Are Different
- Common Causes of Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
- How Liability Is Determined in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
- Insurance Issues in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
- Autonomous Vehicle Accidents and Mass Tort Lawsuits
- Relationship to Other Motor Vehicle Accident Types
- Related Autonomous Vehicle Accident Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions About Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
How Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Are Different
Autonomous vehicle accidents differ from traditional crashes because there may be no human driver at fault. Instead, liability may depend on how the vehicle’s hardware, software, sensors, or decision-making systems performed.
Key differences include:
- No human error or distraction
- Reliance on AI, sensors, and algorithms
- Corporate or manufacturer responsibility
- Overlapping state and federal regulations
Common Causes of Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Autonomous vehicle crashes may occur due to:
- Sensor or camera failures
- Software or algorithm errors
- Inability to recognize pedestrians, cyclists, or traffic signals
- Improper system updates or maintenance
- Human misuse of semi-autonomous features
In some cases, a combination of technology failure and human oversight may contribute to the accident.
How Liability Is Determined in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Liability in autonomous vehicle accidents is often evaluated under product liability and negligence principles, rather than traditional traffic fault rules.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Software developers
- Autonomous fleet operators
- Maintenance or servicing companies
- Human occupants (in partially autonomous vehicles)
Investigations often rely on vehicle data logs, software records, sensor data, and regulatory compliance history.
Insurance Issues in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Insurance coverage in autonomous vehicle crashes can be complex and may involve:
- Manufacturer or corporate insurance policies
- Commercial fleet coverage
- Traditional auto insurance (in semi-autonomous cases)
- Excess or umbrella policies
Determining which policy applies often depends on whether the vehicle was operating autonomously and who controlled the system at the time of the crash.
Autonomous Vehicle Accidents and Mass Tort Lawsuits
Some autonomous vehicle injury claims may be part of mass tort litigation when multiple people are harmed by the same defective system or technology. These cases are handled individually but coordinated through centralized court proceedings to streamline discovery and pretrial issues.
As autonomous vehicle deployment expands, courts are increasingly addressing claims involving systemic technology failures rather than isolated driving errors.
Relationship to Other Motor Vehicle Accident Types
Autonomous vehicle accidents may overlap with other categories of motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents (when autonomous vehicles are used in ride services)
Understanding these relationships helps clarify how different legal frameworks may apply.
Related Autonomous Vehicle Accident Resources
The resources below explore common questions and scenarios related to autonomous vehicle accident claims in more detail.
