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Arizona Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash with a self-driving vehicle, an Arizona Advocate can help.

Attorneys meet to discuss case- meeting room scene

A Self-Driving Car Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Whatever your opinion on autonomous vehicles, it seems that they are coming regardless. Many automakers are testing new technology that aims to remove the need for a human operator in their vehicles.

Someday, we may have the vehicle technology that makes driverless cars safer than traditional vehicles, because they do remove the potential for human error. Currently, autonomous vehicles are still a developing technology. This means they can still cause accidents that result in serious injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma to their victims.

The self-driving vehicle accident lawyers with The Advocates have been helping car accident victims for more than 30 years. We understand what you’re going through and are committed to helping you in your recovery.

If you’ve been injured in Arizona and need an experienced personal injury attorney, contact The Advocates law firm today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case and you receive a settlement.

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Car Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For 30 years, the personal injury lawyers with The Advocates have helped victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Understand your medical bills

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Talk to a professional

Self-Driving Car Crash Information

Sign warning of automated vehicle testing area

Facts about self-driving cars

  • Fully autonomous vehicles are not yet available to the public, though many cars have some level of self-driving technology, like adaptive cruise control or automatic braking.
  • Arizona is one state leading the way in autonomous car technology. The vehicle manufacturer Waymo has partnered with Uber to test driverless vehicles in the Phoenix area.
  • Most automated cars are programmed to hand control of the vehicle over to a human driver if the driving system doesn’t know what to do next.
  • Low-visibility conditions can negatively impact the cameras and sensors that self-driving cars use to avoid collisions.

Self-driving vehicle accident statistics

Human error accounts for 94% of car accidents
Cars drive in very think fog,

Common causes of self-driving car accidents

  • Unpredictable driving: Self-driving cars may be unable to safely react when human drivers on the roadway act unpredictably (such as slamming on brakes, swerving out of their lane, or failing to follow traffic laws).
  • Manufacturing defects: A malfunction in the automated features of a self-driving car can cause an accident.
  • Adverse weather conditions: The sensors on autonomous vehicles may become impaired in heavy rain, snow, or fog.

Common car accident injuries 

Depending on the nature of your accident, car accident injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common vehicle collision injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Lacerations and bruising
  • Scarring and disfigurement

Self-Driving Vehicle Accident FAQs

Insurance agent writing on clipboard while examining car after accident claim being assessed and processed

What should I do after an accident?

After any car crash, be sure to take the following actions to protect your right to a motor vehicle accident claim:

  • Check for injuries and call emergency services if needed
  • Move out of traffic and to safety
  • File a police report
  • Exchange information with the other driver
  • Get contact information from witnesses
  • See a medical professional, even if you do not believe you are injured
  • Notify your insurance provider
  • Consider contacting a personal injury attorney

What are the different types of self-driving cars?

The Society of Automotive Engineers defines 6 levels of driving automation. The levels are as follows:

  • 0- No automation. Human is fully in control of the vehicle.
  • 1- Driver assistance. Vehicle includes driving features like cruise control.
  • 2- Partial automation. Vehicle can control steering and speed, but human can take control at any time.
  • 3- Conditional automation. Vehicle can detect its environment and perform most driving functions.
  • 4- High automation. Vehicle performs all driving tasks under specific circumstances. Human must still pay attention and take over if necessary.
  • 5- Full automation. Vehicle performs all driving tasks and no human attention is needed.

Currently, most cars on the road fall somewhere between 0-2. Some cars have conditional or high automation. Full automation is not yet available to the public.

woman sleeps in a self-driving car.

Who is liable for a self-driving car accident?

Proving liability in an accident involving a driverless vehicle can be complicated. There may be more than one individual or entity at fault.

If a car accident is caused by human error, the at-fault driver is liable for the other party’s damages. This may change as more cars become fully autonomous.

If a car was on autopilot at the time of an accident, the crash may have been caused by a mechanical defect or malfunction. In this case, the vehicle manufacturer may be held accountable in a product liability case.

Regardless of who is liable for your accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company is likely to put up a fight before offering you a fair settlement. A car accident lawyer can help you build your case and obtain the compensation you deserve for your accident.

Why Should I Hire an Arizona Self-Driving Car Accident Attorney?

If you were injured in a car accident, you may be facing physical pain, medical bills, and emotional trauma. Adding a legal battle to the mix probably sounds like the last thing you want to do.

The at-fault party’s insurance company will likely try to avoid taking responsibility for your accident. They may try to argue that you were partially responsible or claim your injuries are less severe than they are.

The Advocates’ auto accident lawyers have years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for our clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. From Tempe to Tucson and Kingman to Clifton, the Arizona Advocates will be there for you.

Our legal team will be by your side from day one, ready to answer your questions or help you access the resources you need. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve an attorney who puts your best interests first. You deserve an Advocate.

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