The determination of liability in car accidents without drivers is very complicated. If you are involved in a driverless car crash, consult a personal injury lawyer Wyoming to get legal help. They will help you determine liability and gain compensation for the damages caused by the accident.

Levels of Automation

The level of automation is one of the factors used to determine liability in driverless car crashes. The driver is more likely to be liable for the accident if the level of automation was lower during the collision.

The automation scale contains six levels describing the vehicle’s state. They are as follows:

  • Level 0: This means that the vehicle had no automation. Only basic features like cruise control are included.
  • Level 1: This means the vehicle is driver assisted. A lot of vehicles tend to offer this level of automation. They provide features like cruise control and radars or cameras.
  • Level 2: This implies that the vehicle was partially automated. This level of automation helps the vehicle control the speed and steering wheel, but the drivers must keep their hands on the wheel. It assists in slow traffic and ensures the car is in the center of the lane.
  • Level 3: This indicates that the vehicle is conditionally automated. These vehicles can operate themselves but only under certain pre-decided conditions. The drivers are still required to be behind the wheel and act swiftly in case of any mishap.
  •  Level 4: These types of vehicles are highly automated. They are prepared to drive themselves without the help of a human, but they are restricted to known events only. They can be driven on most types of roads.
  • Level 5: These vehicles are fully automated. These types of vehicles are driven without a driver. They can operate in all road conditions without the assistance of a human

Liability

Most autonomous cars on the road are generally around the second level or lesser. If an accident occurs, the drivers inside the vehicle will be responsible for it if it is proved that they were driving negligently. The drivers of such vehicles must pay full attention and remain prepared to change speed or steering as per the situation. As per the current legal guidelines, humans are not allowed to delegate their responsibility of driving to a vehicle.

However, with the growing technology, car accidents caused due to driverless vehicles will be filed under product liability claims. Per this concept, the driverless car manufacturer will be responsible for any accident caused due to the defect of the vehicle. If the company markets its product to be fully driverless and fails in its actual performance, the manufacturer will be sued for the damages caused by the vehicle. The manufacturer or designer of the car can be held liable for compensating the losses resulting from the accident.