Key Takeaways
- Autonomous vehicle crashes that cause injury or death are complex to resolve and raise serious legal questions about liability.
- Companies including General Motors, Tesla, Google, Waymo, and Ford are testing autonomous vehicles on Portland streets, roads, and highways.
- A recent study found autonomous vehicles were involved in crashes at five times the rate of other cars, though this early data will change.
- Oregon does not require companies to report planned tests, and the Oregon Department of Transportation does not regulate autonomous vehicle testing.
- Fault may lie with a driver who failed to take control, the software developer, the vehicle manufacturer, or more than one party.
Automobile technology is advancing to new levels. Autonomous vehicles are on the horizon and will soon become available to the public. Currently, many companies are testing their autonomous vehicles on the streets, roads, and highways in Portland. Just a few of the companies currently testing autonomous vehicles include:
- General Motors
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Honda
- Uber
- Apple
- Waymo
- Daimler-Bosch
- Ford
- Volkswagen
- BMW
Injured in a Car Accident? We Can Help You Seek Compensation
Autonomous vehicles are currently in the testing phase. A recent study reveals a shocking truth: These vehicles have been involved in car crashes at five times the rate of other cars. While this early data will change as more autonomous vehicles are on the roadways. If you or a loved one was injured or died in a collision with an autonomous vehicle, it is critical that you are represented by an experienced fatal car accident lawyer in Portland. Innocent people have been seriously injured or killed when an autonomous vehicle system fails.
Autonomous vehicle accidents that lead to injury or loss of life are complex to resolve. The goal of these vehicles is to make driving safer by eliminating human error. Unfortunately, technology is not perfect and may fail to function. When cameras or sensors fail, an autonomous vehicle puts drivers and passengers sharing the road at risk. While the concept of a computer-operated vehicle is interesting and exciting, issues such as weather affecting camera and sensor performance are unresolved to date.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Why Choose Our Portland Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer?
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are trial lawyers with extensive experience in court. If you or a loved one has been injured or died in a wreck with an autonomous car, contact us today for a free consultation. With Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, you can expect:
- We are aggressive negotiators who are fully prepared to take your case to trial to pursue the maximum possible compensation.
- We are honest and transparent when working with our clients and are dedicated to acting in their best interests above all.
- Our Portland car accident lawyer works on a contingency fee basis – there are no legal fees unless we win your case.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Autonomous Vehicle Laws in Portland and throughout Oregon
Oregon lawmakers have not yet put laws in place requiring companies testing autonomous vehicles to report on planned tests in the state – the notification is purely voluntary. While this will change in the future, Oregon residents are not warned when autonomous vehicles are being tested, whether on streets or highways. The Oregon Department of Transportation does not regulate autonomous vehicle testing, and will only share information with local jurisdictions if the company chooses to provide voluntary information on the location of tests, routes, dates, or after-the-fact information regarding collisions.
Who is Liable in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents?
An autonomous vehicle crash poses some serious legal problems about liability. Was the driver at fault not taking over control when the vehicle failed? Was it the software developer who created the system that failed to operate? Was it the vehicle manufacturer? Autonomous vehicles require a human driver – but was the driver the only party at fault?
Why You Need Legal Representation
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we fully investigate all the facts in the case and will hold all potentially liable parties accountable – our goal is achieving justice for those we serve. The second question involves the value of the insurance claim – what could a seriously injured victim expect in compensation? The answer, in large part, lies in the skills of your personal injury lawyer. From the initial filing, through negotiations regarding a settlement, to presenting your case to a jury, our legal team is known for our high-level legal skills in difficult cases.
Contact Us for Help: Self-Driving Car Accidents in Portland
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, or if your loved one died in an accident with a self-driving car, contact the experienced litigation team at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. We charge no fees unless we win. We keep our caseload small, so we can focus our energy on bringing the cases we work on to a positive resolution. Call us today.