If you get into an accident with an autonomous vehicle (AV) in Florida, you can seek compensation from the responsible party.
But it’s not as straightforward as it seems.
We provide clarity in this blog by covering the following:
- Florida’s autonomous vehicle laws
- Liability in an autonomous vehicle accident
- What to do after a car accident
What are Florida’s autonomous vehicle laws?
In Florida, AVs are allowed on public roads without a driver behind the wheel.
In 2019, Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, signed SB 932 into law, establishing clear insurance and liability requirements regulations.
Under this law, the AV’s operating entity must carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance coverage.
Other requirements include:
- A visible and audible warning system alerting passengers when the AV system fails.
- If failure occurs, the AV must have an automatic feature that pulls the car off the road.
Who’s liable in an autonomous vehicle accident?
Determining liability in an AV accident is complicated because it involves multiple factors, including the car manufacturer, the responsible party for car maintenance, and the driver.
Let’s explore this more:
- Car manufacturer — If the accident results from a malfunction, such as a software error or hardware defect, the vehicle’s manufacturer or the party responsible for the technology could be held accountable.
- Responsible party — Again, this could be the manufacturer or vehicle owner. If the responsible party fails to make necessary repairs or upkeep, they could be held liable.
- Vehicle driver — Many self-driving cars still have a human in the driver’s seat, ready to control the vehicle if needed. If the driver is present and fails to take action, they could share liability.
Steps to take after an accident with an autonomous vehicle
The steps to take after an accident with an autonomous vehicle are the same as those for a normal vehicle.
In our blog, What Should I Do After a Personal Injury Accident, we explain the four key steps following an accident.
Were you involved in an autonomous vehicle accident in Florida?
Though Florida’s welcoming of technology and AVs are an exciting step into the future, it comes with potential challenges and legal implications.
If you or someone you know was involved in an accident with an autonomous vehicle, contact our Tampa-area team of personal injury lawyers.
We’ll guide you through the process to get you the compensation you deserve.
Schedule your free case evaluation to get started.
