Self-driving cars already exist. You can find them driving down public roads near you. And yes, they crash.
Self-driving cars have the potential to revolutionize travel. Unfortunately, they also come with a gigantic legal problem:
When autonomous vehicles collide… who pays for it all?
With standard car accidents, you can typically identify who was at fault. Someone runs a light or fails to yield. But when nobody is driving, who is responsible for paying damages?
In this article you will learn:
- Why Autonomous Vehicle Accidents Present a Legal Nightmare
- Who Could Be Held Liable After a Self Driving Car Crash
- How Product Liability Law Factors into Accidents
- Steps to Take If You Are Involved in an Autonomous Vehicle Collision
- How State Laws Regarding Self Driving Cars Differ
Self Driving Car Accidents: A Legal Nightmare
…the number of reported self-driving car crashes continues to increase.
According to NHTSA crash reporting data, there have been over 5,218 accidents documented in the United States as of November of 2025.
More crashes per month are happening than ever before. In late 2024, there were over 90 fully autonomous vehicle crashes reported throughout the United States. Early testing months saw single-digit crashes per month. Those numbers have exponentially increased as technology has improved and more self-driving cars hit the road.
So what does this mean for accident victims?
It means that deducing who was negligent after a crash with a self-driving car is much more complicated than your standard motor vehicle accident. Liability can fall on many shoulders when self-driving cars collide. The driver, manufacturer, software developer and even sensor company could potentially be at fault.
With so many intricacies, it is no surprise that self-driving car accidents are some of the most complex personal injury cases out there.
Who Could Be Held Liable?
Determining who is liable for a car accident is typically straightforward. One driver made a mistake or violated traffic laws, and they are responsible for paying damages.
Not so with self-driving cars.
Due to the advanced technology involved with autonomous vehicles, several parties could potentially be liable for damages. And each one will likely fight over whose insurance company foots the bill.
Most Common Liable Parties
Car Manufacturer: If the autonomous vehicle has a mechanical defect that caused the crash, the company who built the car can be held liable. Things like defective brakes or sensors would fall under this category. This could be considered a product liability issue.
Software Developer: Autonomous vehicles require software to make “decisions.” If there was a glitch in the software program that caused the accident, the developer can be sued.
The Driver: If the self-driving vehicle still requires a driver to be in physical control of the car, they can be sued and found negligent. Maybe they were supposed to take over and didn’t.
Outside Contractors: Some parts of self-driving vehicles are made by third-party companies. If, say, the camera or radar sensor was faulty, that manufacturer could be liable.
Government: Faulty traffic lights or roadway problems could technically cause a crash in rare situations.
Moral of the story, several parties can be sued.
Autonomous Vehicle Accidents and Product Liability
Hold on…
Typical car accident lawsuits are negligence-based. Someone was careless, and that carelessness resulted in the collision. But when a computer causes an accident, negligence laws do not necessarily apply.
That’s where product liability comes into play.
Product liability law revolves around the idea that manufacturers are liable for any defects within their products. When self-driving cars collide, product liability lawsuits are becoming the standard way to litigate these types of cases. The theory goes that if the autonomous driving system was responsible for the crash, the manufacturer who designed it can be held liable — no need to prove negligence!
This was demonstrated in Florida. A 2025 case sent shockwaves through the car industry when a jury held the driver-assist system manufacturer partially liable for a crash that resulted in a fatality.
Product liability dramatically increases potential compensation because you are going after companies, not individuals.
What To Do After an Autonomous Vehicle Accident
Alright, so you got hit by a self-driving car. What’s next?
First off, take a deep breath. These accidents can be confusing. Sometimes there is no one to speak with at the scene. Other times the technology is so foreign it can be difficult to determine what happened.
Here is what to do after any self-driving vehicle collision:
Call the police. As with any accident, a police report will be crucial if you decide to file a liability claim.
Document, document, document. Take photos of the entire scene. Your injuries. The other vehicle. Road conditions. Anything.
Preserve vehicle data. Self-driving cars have thousands of sensors that generate data. You have a right to obtain this information from the manufacturer, and it could be crucial to your claim.
Seek medical attention. Don’t forget to go to the doctor. Some injuries take time to appear.
Contact a lawyer immediately. These cases are very technical and complicated. The other side will likely have a team of experts on standby. If you wait too long to act, critical evidence may be restricted by the insurance company or manufacturer.
Don’t wait to secure your right to that vehicle data.
How Are Self Driving Cars Regulated?
Now here is where it gets messy…
There is no federal standard that outlines who is liable when a self-driving car crashes. States like California have created frameworks to allow companies to test their technology. Other states are now creating regulations regarding liability.
The problem is this:
States are left to do as they please while the federal government has set guidelines requiring companies to report safety issues and be transparent with their data. States like Arizona have done a great job creating regulations surrounding autonomous vehicles. However, not every state has these laws outlined.
If you were injured by a self-driving car in a state that does not have set regulations, it could complicate your claim. You may be suing multiple parties in different jurisdictions. Navigating through state regulations will be imperative to solidify who is responsible for your damages.
Wrapping Things Up
Autonomous vehicles will only continue to grow. As more companies push their self-driving vehicles into major cities, there will inevitably be more accidents.
Let’s review:
Several parties can be held liable after a self-driving collision.
Product liability law is being used to litigate these types of cases.
Preserving evidence like vehicle data is crucial.
State laws need to be considered.
Hiring a lawyer is highly recommended.
There will likely be more and more self-driving cars on the road. Unfortunately, laws surrounding this new technology will take time to catch up.
If you were injured by a self-driving car, don’t wait to seek legal help. A licensed attorney can help you understand your rights and options. That conversation could change everything.