As vehicle manufacturers are developing autonomous systems, technology enabling vehicles to drive themselves, lawmakers question who would be liable in the event of an auto accident. On Wednesday, Volvo announced that they will accept full liability if an accident occurs. Although Volvo only accounts for a small percentage of U.S. vehicles, by being the first to step up, it gives them an advantage.
Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo’s president and CEO, is expected to speak with lawmakers in Washington D.C. tomorrow to announce that autonomous systems will soon be ready for use. He is encouraging lawmakers to have the proper rules and regulations in place to prevent the technology from being delayed. California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada are allowing autonomous vehicular testing, but federal guidelines regarding the vehicles are in infancy. Delphi Automotive performed testing of a self-driving car last summer by operating an autonomous vehicle in a cross-country trip. The company determined the technology to be satisfactory but stated there were issues with how the vehicle responded to roadways in different states. Samuelsson is expected to address all concerns regarding the self-driving vehicles on Thursday and is optimistic that the United States could benefit from being one of the first countries to embrace autonomous systems.
The experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have over 100 years of experience. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate an accident to determine who is liable for the crash. We will fight to recover the maximum compensation for your damages while holding the responsible party accountable. If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact us today for a free consultation.