Autonomous vehicles: Products liability on wheels

Autonomous vehicles: Products liability on wheels

Tourists and commuters use various rideshare apps to travel to other destinations. Newly implemented vehicle technology launched in cities like Baton Rouge paves the way for products that require new legislation. With new legislation comes new safety definitions.

You should be safe while using your commercial product, especially when you rely on it to drive you.

If an autonomous vehicle causes an accident that results in injury or death of the passenger or a pedestrian, who, or what, is responsible?

Understanding products liability

A case of products liability occurs when a product injures or harms you. In court, malfunctions of products apply to either manufacturing defects or design defects.

While design defects cite a problem with the overall product model, manufacturing defects usually describe cases where the product was put together incorrectly. A failure to warn products liability case arises when consumers are not made fully aware of a product’s’ risks in either marketing or safety alerts.

Legal Peace Of Mind Is Just A Click Away

Call For A Consultation 225-763-2272

A machine’s responsibility

Reported cases of dangerous self-driving cars pepper the industry as the vehicles first launch. Because autonomous vehicles do not hold the ability to make significant traffic decisions, consumers of the cars may prove to be at extreme risk. By entering the vehicle, you may be subjected to products liability cases against the car maker, car manufacturer or car company.

For the first time, new laws transfer the power of the human driver to a vehicle computer. However, multiple states implemented safety drivers in their testing vehicles, which implies that humans make final decisions in controlling the vehicle.

In March, an autonomous Uber hit and killed a woman in Tempe, Arizona while a safety driver sat in the driver’s seat. Unbeknownst to both the self-driving vehicle and the emergency driver, a pedestrian crossed in front of the vehicle while it traveled at 40 mph. The driver did not engage the emergency break, nor did the vehicle break on its own.

A person may make a decision that conflicts with tested vehicle decisions, resulting in confusion as to whom or what is responsible if a tragic accident occurs.

Avoiding harm

In 2016, Louisiana enacted legislation to define autonomous technology. The description reads that autonomous vehicles should “include the ability to automatically bring the motor vehicle into a minimal-risk condition in the event of a critical vehicle or system failure.”

The use of autonomous vehicles in cities across the United States causes concern for safety for all parties. The importance in understanding the risks of a product before use is essential, but all products should perform correctly and safely.

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Over 40 years of Experience

Accessible. Accommodating. Your Partners In The Legal Realm

We are not just your attorneys, but your partners in the legal realm. As in any partnership, we believe communication is key. We ask the right questions to learn about your situation and goals. Then we work with you to design a resolution strategy that makes the most sense for you or your business.

As your case progresses, you will find that we are easily accessible by phone, text or email. We strive to be accommodating in setting appointments around our clients’ busy schedules, even if that means early mornings or late evenings. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, helpful environment.

Call For A Consultation 225-763-2272

The Partnership

Begins With A Consultation

Andrew B. Ezell & Andrew K. Nicolas
Andrew B. Ezell & Andrew K. Nicolas

contact us today

Fields marked with an * are required

"*" indicates required fields

I Have Read The Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.