Who Ultimately Is Responsible When A Self Driving Car Crashes?

Until recently, there was no question about who’s responsible for an automobile’s operation: the driver. One-hundred percent.

When driverless cars without a steering wheel or brake pedal start hitting the highway, your only role will be ordering the car where to go.

Between now and then — about five years by automakers’ estimates — the relationship between drivers and their cars will enter uncharted and potentially hazardous territory. Robot-like features will take over an increasing share of the driving duties — but not all of them.

MorePower - 10/19/2016 5:44:55 PM

+2 Boost

Human at the controls is always responsible unless they, owner/operator receive indemnification from the vehicle manufacturer or other third party that has been given authorization by the state/governing body the ability to offer/provide such.


I'm not a lawyer

SanJoseDriver - 10/19/2016 7:58:58 PM

+2 Boost

The driver if they are not following directions (using it where/when they shouldn't be), manufacturer if the incident is due to a bug in either the software or hardware and the driver was following directions.

MDarringer - 10/19/2016 8:21:41 PM

0 Boost

Driver for "not following directions (using it where/when they shouldn't be)" and for being stupid enough to buy an autonomous car un the first place.