Autonomous vehicles will soon be available to the public, with many manufacturers currently testing their vehicles. Auto companies such as Ford and Mercedes have made major investments in autonomous vehicle development. Technology giants, including Google, Apple, and Intel are investing in the technology needed to get their autonomous vehicles developed and onto the market.
However, as recent news has shown, accidents involving self-driving vehicles are bound to occur. If you or a loved one is involved in a self-driving vehicle collision in Wisconsin, call the Milwaukee personal injury attorneys at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. today.
What Does “Autonomous” Mean?
Not all the “driverless” cars that will be on the road in coming years operate entirely on their own. There are several levels in defining autonomous:
- Level 0 – The driver performs all of the driving tasks.
- Level 1 – The driver is still fully in control and must pay attention to the road. Features such as lane keeping assistance or cruise control that automatically adjusts to keep a safe distance from other cars are available.
- Level 2 – The vehicle can do some operations on its own; i.e., steering or controlling speed. The term “hands-off” driving is sometimes used, but in most cases, the driver needs to keep their hands on the wheel.
- Level 3 – These vehicles can handle a wide range of scenarios all on their own. This typically includes steering and controlling speed. They can’t handle every situation, so the driver needs to remain engaged.
- Level 4 – In the right situations, such as a highway, these vehicles can operate on their own. The driver may have the option to control the vehicle.
- Level 5 – These vehicles can handle any situation that a human driver can, and don’t require human interaction. The driver may have the option to control the vehicle.
Tesla’s Autopilot system, one of the more advanced on the road, is Level 2. At present, only Audi is working on a Level 3 production car.
Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is at the leading edge in supporting the testing of automated vehicle technology, with testing efforts taking place in several sites in southern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Automated Proving Grounds is one of the programs named by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Wisconsin is considering devoting a lane on I-94 to automated vehicles.
What Are the Risks of Autonomous Vehicles?
Autonomous vehicle technology is in the development stage. With many computerized systems operating the vehicle, from cameras to sensors, a failure can (and has) led to serious injury accidents. Waymo, a self-driving service that is a spin-off of Google, recorded passengers in Level 3 vehicles – autonomous only in specific situations – putting on makeup, texting, and sleeping. These vehicles pose a risk due to negligent human actions as well as the dangers associated with an onboard driverless navigation system that fails to perform correctly.
If you’ve been injured because of an autonomous vehicle, contact a Milwaukee autonomous vehicle accident attorney to get the compensation you deserve.
Why Do I Need a Milwaukee Autonomous Vehicle Accident Attorney?
Establishing liability is the most critical aspect of a personal injury case. In cases involving autonomous vehicle accidents and injuries, the legal issues are more complex. Was the accident the result of a software failure? Hardware in the vehicle? A failure on the part of the driver to take over when the vehicle system failed?
If you have been injured in an autonomous vehicle accident, our team of Wisconsin personal injury lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. can help you. Our Milwaukee autonomous vehicle accident lawyers have secured more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients and have the experience necessary to handle these complex cases. As trial lawyers, we will take your case to trial if necessary to achieve justice and full compensation.
We offer a no-cost consultation. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis and you won’t be asked to pay legal fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf. Call now for help.