Los Angeles Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer

Self-driving cars are progressively becoming popular on Los Angeles roads. Its concept of operating autonomously or with limited supervision has shown to be a huge stepping point in technological innovation. But, this new approach to transportation has caused mixed reactions, with some believing that it is a groundbreaking advancement whereas others are worried about the efficiency of its functionality in highly congested areas such as Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, and Koreatown.

Many companies have moved forward with the development and testing of autonomous vehicles, including Waymo and Tesla. Although positive reports have come through with its ability to operate with limited guidance throughout the streets of Los Angeles, crashes have been noted periodically. This prompts people to question whether they can fully trust a self-driving vehicle, and it raises concerns over liability.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we understand that accidents can come with legal complexities that may leave victims feeling lost or overwhelmed. Our Los Angeles team will prioritize your goals as we tailor an effective approach to ensure you receive the best outcome possible. We have over 20 years of experience in handling car accident claims and are confident that we will not let you down.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

What Is a Self-Driving Vehicle?

Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles, are equipped with technology that partially or entirely allows them to navigate themselves without needing human intervention. It can adjust its path and speed according to the traffic signs, signals, or hazards presented on the road.

How Safe Are Autonomous Vehicles?

Since companies are still testing autonomous vehicles, it is tough to say whether they are all secure. Although it can detect and react promptly to unsafe conditions, there are some uncertainties regarding the likelihood of experiencing malfunctioning issues or even potential dangers associated with cybersecurity.

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and automotive companies have recognized these concerns and are developing solutions to enhance the overall safety and reliability of advanced vehicle technologies. Until then, only a select few cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, will get to witness what a fully autonomous vehicle has to offer.

Currently, people have been using Waymo, a leading figure in level 4 autonomous technology, as a source of transportation. According to the company, they are pleased with the results they have been seeing. They released a statement back in December 2023 implying that their self-driving cars have “outperform[ed] comparable human benchmarks over 7+ million miles of rider-only driving.”

But, Tesla, on the other hand, continues to face backlash for their Autopilot system since its first fatal crash in 2016. Tesla vehicles are currently made with a level 2 automated driving system, meaning that the vehicle operator can step in to take control whenever they please. Although it offers convenience, it can lead to a decrease in road attentiveness. This, in turn, can cause slower reaction times when human involvement is needed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collected data pertaining to the company’s Autopilot, which shows 510 crashes between August 2022 and August 2023. Fourteen of these were classified as fatal collisions. The NHTSA claimed that this could have been avoided had drivers remained alert while behind the wheel.

The contrasting experiences of Waymo and Tesla shows the complexity of incorporating autonomous cars into daily commuting in urban areas. While self-driving cars are being tested by transporting riders from Downtown LA to as far as Santa Monica, companies will need to adapt to the challenges they are met with to ensure they provide a safe and reliable transportation service. Industry leaders and policymakers will also need to partake in this process to help shape a future where such technology can be used with confidence.

What Are the Levels of Autonomous Vehicles?

Autonomous cars are divided into levels based on the extent to which they can operate without human guidance. We have defined each one below in accordance with the NHTSA’s descriptions.

• Level 0 (Momentary Driver Assistance) – Assistive features are provided, but you will hold the responsibility of operating the vehicle yourself.
• Level 1 (Driver Assistance) – Continuous assistance with either the accelerator/braking or steering are available. The driver is still required to remain fully attentive.
• Level 2 (Additional Assistance) – Continuous assistance with acceleration/braking and steering will be simultaneously active while the driver maintains focus of the road.
• Level 3 (Conditional Automation) – The vehicle will perform tasks while the driver is readily available to assume responsibility if needed. If the system cannot operate for whatever reason, the driver will need to be present to navigate the rest of the trip.
• Level 4 (High Automation) – The autonomous driving system will take full control within limited service areas while the driver acts as the passenger.
• Level 5 (Full Automation) – The system is entirely liable for operating the car while the occupant serves as the passenger. It can universally control the vehicle under any condition and roadway.

What Are Some Driverless Cars That Are Being Used in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is one of the few cities within the United States that has access to driverless cars. Below, we have provided information on the most popular ones that are paving the way for a new approach to the city’s transportation scene.

Waymo

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company that first started out as Google’s self-driving car project back in 2009. It later became a subsidiary of Alphabet in 2016. The company’s objective is to create a safe driving experience by enhancing the access to mobility and reducing the number of traffic collisions to save thousands of lives.

Waymo is headed towards the direction of full automation in hopes of making a positive change to the way people travel on the road. The company currently has a few vehicle models that are being used by the public, acting as driverless taxis for those looking to catch a ride from Culver City to West Hollywood or from USC to Marina del Rey. This includes modified:

• Toyota Priuses
• Lexus SUVs
• Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans

They offer two types of services: Waymo One and Waymo Via. Waymo One is a fully autonomous ride-hailing service whereas Waymo Via uses autonomous trucks to transport goods. 

Tesla

Tesla is an automotive and clean energy company that was founded in 2003 in San Carlos, California. The company currently has five partially autonomous electric cars on the market, which are the:

• Tesla Model S
• Tesla Model 3
• Tesla Model X
• Tesla Model Y
• Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla strives to achieve the objective of establishing a sustainable energy ecosystem. The company wants to keep providing price-effective electric vehicles to the public in order to increase clean transportation and energy production. They firmly believe that electric cars, renewable energy, batteries, and storage will create a powerful impact on the way we drive and will help improve the conditions of the environment.

The company assures the public that its advanced safety and convenience features will provide efficient functionality to the Tesla vehicle models. Its autopilot has the ability to automatically steer, accelerate, and brake within its lane. Tesla also notes that drivers must remain focused on the road since the Tesla models do not function under full automation yet.

General Motors and Cruise

The General Motors Company is an automotive manufacturing corporation that was founded in 1908 in Flint, Michigan. General Motors owns and operates several automobile brands, such as

• GMC
• Hummer
• Chevrolet 
• Buick
• Cadillac

In 2016, General Motors obtained 80 percent of the ownership stake of Cruise. Cruise is a self-driving car company located in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 2013 by Kyle Vogt, who strived to turn the concept of self-driving cars into a reality. Dan Kan later became the co-founder in 2014.

With General Motors and Cruise forming a partnership with one another, both companies have made it a goal of theirs to eliminate human error by manufacturing self-driving vehicles. They also aim to improve the environment. To fulfill these objectives, they have conducted self-driving tests to learn about on-road experiences.

Cruise initially planned to launch its services in Los Angeles, but, in late 2023, California ordered them to pause operations of its driverless vehicles due to safety concerns. Even though the company had them removed within the state, it still continues to deploy them in other U.S. locations.

What Can Cause Self-Driving Car Accidents in Los Angeles?

There are several factors that can cause self-driving car accidents in Los Angeles. This includes the following:

• Human error
• Self-driving technology malfunctions
• Poor weather conditions
• Road hazards
• Manufacturing defects
• Other third parties

If you were involved in a driverless car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to take legal action against them. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf to ensure you are granted the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Los Angeles Self-Driving Car Accident?

The concept of a vehicle being controlled on its own with minimal to no effort given by the driver will make people wonder, how will liability be determined if a self-driving car accident occurs?

If a company advertises that their autopilot feature will prevent their autonomous vehicles from getting into a collision, drivers will put their faith into the vehicle rather than their own ability to stop it from striking a person or object.

However, if the vehicle does, in fact, get into a crash due to a design defect or manufacturing error, the company or other entities involved in the chain of production can be held accountable for damages. 

It is common for some to assume that the company or vehicle manufacturer would be found at fault for a self-driving car accident since it is being advertised as highly reliable. But, if adequate warnings involving the autopilot feature are shared to the driver and safety measures are implemented to reduce the likelihood of a crash, either party may possibly be exempt from facing legal consequences.

If a driver was not alert of their surroundings before the mishap, liability will fall on them. This especially applies if they were instructed to remain attentive and step in when needed.

Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help

If you were harmed in a self-driving car accident, you may be given the right to take legal action against the responsible party. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyers will guide you through each stage of the legal process to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or finishing our convenient online contact form.