Who’s at Fault in an Autonomous Vehicle Accident?

As autonomous vehicles (AVs) become more common on roads across the country, the convenience and innovation they offer also raise new legal questions—especially when accidents happen. Unlike traditional car crashes, determining who’s at fault in an AV-related accident isn’t always straightforward.

At Brubaker Injury Law, we understand the complexity of these cases. Whether you’re a pedestrian, passenger, or another driver, if you’ve been injured in an accident involving a self-driving or semi-autonomous vehicle, our team is here to help you navigate your legal options.

Understanding Traditional Fault in Personal Injury Cases

In a typical car accident, the person at fault is usually the driver who acted negligently—maybe they ran a red light, were speeding, or failed to yield. Under personal injury law, proving fault often involves showing that someone failed in their duty to drive responsibly, directly causing harm to others.

But what happens when a computer is in control of the vehicle? Can a machine be held accountable? That’s where the law begins to shift.

How AV Technology Complicates Liability

Autonomous vehicles use a combination of sensors, cameras, GPS, and artificial intelligence to operate. While these systems are designed to reduce human error, they’re not immune to malfunctions. In fact, accidents involving AVs can result from:

• Software glitches
  
• Sensor misreadings
  
• Inadequate response to road hazards
  
• Inability to detect pedestrians, cyclists, or unexpected objects
  

Unlike traditional crashes, these accidents require an entirely different approach to uncover who—or what—was truly responsible.

Who Can Be Held Liable in an AV Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, liability could fall on one or several parties:

🚗 The Vehicle Manufacturer

If the accident was caused by a hardware defect, such as faulty brakes, malfunctioning sensors, or design flaws, the manufacturer may be held liable under product liability laws.

💻 The Software Developer

Autonomous vehicles rely on complex algorithms. If the crash was due to a programming error, software failure, or a bug in the self-driving system, the developer may be responsible.

👤 The Human Driver

In many cases, AVs are not fully autonomous and still require a human to monitor the road and take over when necessary. If the human operator failed to act, they may be held partially or fully liable.

🛠️ Maintenance Providers or Fleet Operators

If the AV was not properly maintained, or if a rideshare or delivery company ignored mechanical issues, the company managing the vehicle could be at fault.

Each case is unique, and uncovering liability requires a thorough review of the vehicle’s data, the actions taken during the crash, and the involved parties’ responsibilities.

Real-Life Example: Where Things Get Murky

Let’s say a self-driving vehicle hits a pedestrian at night. The AV’s sensors failed to detect the person in time, and the backup human driver was distracted. Who’s at fault?

In this case, liability may be shared between the tech developer (for poor sensor performance) and the human driver (for not intervening). That’s why building a strong case requires more than just surface-level evidence—it takes deep investigation and legal experience in both injury law and evolving tech.

How Brubaker Injury Law Investigates AV Accident Claims

At Brubaker Injury Law, we take an aggressive, detail-oriented approach when handling autonomous vehicle accident claims. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Technical Expertise: We consult with software engineers and vehicle experts to understand exactly what went wrong.
  
• Data Review: We analyze vehicle logs, sensor reports, dashcam footage, and emergency braking systems.
  
• Medical Partnerships: We work closely with medical professionals to accurately assess your injuries and long-term care needs.
  
• Proven Strategy: We build solid cases to pursue maximum compensation—whether that’s from a driver, a tech company, or a vehicle manufacturer.
  

We don’t back down from complex cases. In fact, we thrive on them—because you deserve justice, no matter how advanced the vehicle involved.

Contact Us for Help After an AV Accident

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a self-driving or autonomous vehicle, don’t wait to seek legal advice. These cases require immediate investigation and expert guidance to protect your rights.📞 Call Brubaker Injury Law today or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your options, build a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.