Filing lawsuits lets car accident victims recover the funds they need for property damage, lost wages, medical bills, and even intangible damages. An accident with an autonomous car is no less dangerous than an accident with a vehicle that has a human operator, so victims need to know whether suing is an option after such collisions.
You can most likely sue after an accident with an autonomous car. If the accident occurs due to a vehicle or software defect, the manufacturer or designer may be held liable in a lawsuit. If a vehicle is in self-driving mode and the owner is present but not paying attention, they could be liable for the victim’s injuries. A lawsuit may yield economic, non-economic, and possibly even punitive damages, and we can fight for all the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Rhatigan Law Offices’ Chicago car accident lawyers for a confidential and free case analysis by calling us today at (312) 578-8502.
Can I Sue After an Accident with an Autonomous Vehicle in Chicago?
Like any collision, getting into an accident with a self-driving or autonomous car can have serious consequences. Victims are often left injured and may need to sue to get compensation.
Chicago is a fault state for car accidents, meaning victims may sue negligent parties after collisions, no matter their injuries or damages. Even if you were hit by a fully autonomous vehicle in Chicago, someone else may be liable through a lawsuit.
You can most likely sue, whether you are a passenger in an autonomous car during an accident or are hit by an autonomous car while driving your vehicle. Please tell our Chicago car accident lawyers about your case, and we can determine if filing a lawsuit is possible.
Who Can I Sue After an Accident with an Autonomous Vehicle?
Some cars have self-driving modes that drivers can opt in and out of, while others are entirely autonomous and operate with little to no human input. Both types of vehicles are prone to accidents, which are often due to vehicle defects.
Vehicle Owner
The self-driving mode in cars still requires driver supervision if the car is not fully autonomous. Even if the car is in self-driving mode, the operator should still pay attention to the road so they can intervene in case of a hazard or other issue. If the car was not fully autonomous and there was also a human operator, the owner and operator may bear liability for an accident if they failed to intervene when they should have.
If you are injured as a passenger in an autonomous rideshare car, the company that owns the vehicle may be liable.
Vehicle Manufacturer
Vehicle manufacturers can be liable for accidents involving fully automated cars. These vehicles use sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to drive and require virtually no interaction from the passenger. Defective software, parts, and systems put passengers and anyone else on the road at risk, and make vehicle manufacturers and software developers liable via lawsuits.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After an Accident with an Autonomous Vehicle in Chicago?
When a car accident happens, the victim may only have two years from that date to file a lawsuit. This is not much time to determine who is liable for an accident with an autonomous car and to build a strong claim. Time is precious after a crash, so contact us about your case immediately.
It’s also important to keep in mind Illinois’ 10 to 12-year statute of repose for product liability lawsuits, depending on the case’s specifics. The statute of repose is the absolute deadline for seeking compensation for defective products after their sale, including autonomous cars, and we can see if this affects your case.
Can You Sue for Economic Damages After an Accident with an Autonomous Vehicle?
If an autonomous car struck you in your vehicle, you may suffer expensive property damage costs in addition to medical expenses. Allow our attorneys to track every cent related to an accident and prove how much compensation you need for economic damages.
The following injuries are common in all car accidents, including collisions with autonomous cars:
- Whiplash
- Facial injuries
- Broken ribs
- Concussion
- Neck injuries
- Contusions
- Lacerations
Victims might even get trapped in autonomous cars, leading to terrible burns and permanent scarring. Report all medical expenses to us, as they are all compensable.
You may need to take days or weeks off work after an accident, and a lawsuit should also cover lost wages resulting from a collision with an autonomous car. Let us use tax returns and paychecks to prove your pre-accident income and calculate how much you deserve for lost wages.
Can You Sue for Non-Economic Damages After an Accident with an Autonomous Vehicle?
You can also sue for non-economic damages after an accident with an autonomous car. Bad collisions cause emotional distress and mental suffering that is just as harmful as economic damages.
To know how much we should sue for regarding non-economic damages, describe your pain and suffering to us. Talking to a therapist may also help with your mental and emotional recovery and generate evidence we can use to prove non-economic damages, like expert witness statements.
Can You Sue for Punitive Damages After an Accident with an Autonomous Car?
Manufacturers that produce and design autonomous cars may have to pay punitive damages for extreme recklessness, like distributing a fully autonomous car with glaring safety or software defects.
You may only get punitive damages if your lawsuit goes to trial and the jury awards them. While you cannot obtain punitive damages from a settlement for an autonomous car accident in Chicago, you can use the threat of punitive damages to negotiate a larger settlement and avoid a lengthy trial.
Contact Our Lawyers About Your Chicago Car Accident Case
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 to get a free case discussion with our Aurora, IL car accident lawyers.
Related Posts