Self-driving cars in Florida must carry at least $1 million in liability coverage, as well as state minimums in personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. Self-driving cars are still in their infancy, though, and these rules might change as the technology continues to develop.
If you have been in a recent accident with a self-driving car, you can talk to a Miami car accident lawyer about insurance coverage and how to file a claim.
Insurance Requirements for Self-Driving Cars in Florida
Florida has been highly proactive in adopting laws to promote and regulate the use of self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles. Florida Statutes 627.749 lays out basic insurance requirements for self-driving cars in Florida, which include:
- Liability coverage. Fully autonomous vehicles must carry at least $1 million in liability coverage for injuries, death, and property damage.
- Personal injury protection (PIP). Self-driving cars must carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Self-driving cars must also carry equal amounts of uninsured motorist coverage.
The higher insurance requirements are a result of liability for self-driving car accidents shifting to manufacturers and software developers instead of individual drivers. Product defects in self-driving car technologies can result in lawsuits and recalls that impact an entire product line, not just a particular vehicle.
Note that the above requirements are specifically for fully autonomous vehicles—i.e., cars that can drive without the input of a human. Vehicles that have driver assistance programs, such as Tesla’s Autopilot, are not considered autonomous driving systems under the law. These vehicles are generally subject to standard auto insurance laws in Florida.
How Does Liability for Self-Driving Car Accidents Work?
Liability for accidents involving self-driving cars depends on the nature of the specific self-driving system. For Level 0–2 automation systems, the driver must still remain attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle, so accident liability still falls on them.
However, the case is different for Level 4–5 autonomous vehicles that operate without human supervision. In these cases, liability for accidents can shift to the manufacturer when the automated systems are engaged.
For instance, a software glitch may cause an autonomous vehicle to make an incorrect turn and cause an accident. In this case, the injury victim could potentially make a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the vehicle. Software glitches can count as a type of product defect, making the manufacturer liable for damages.
What Should I Do If I Get Into an Accident With a Self-Driving Car?
If you get into an accident with a self-driving car, you need to prioritize documenting the scene of the accident. Take pictures of your injuries and physical damage from the accident. You should also make a note of environmental conditions that may have contributed, like road conditions or weather.
Make a note of the self-driving car’s make, model, license plate number, and the associated brand. Don’t try to interact with the autonomous vehicle on your own; instead, call the police. You should also contact the support line for the autonomous vehicle and report that one of their cars has been in an accident.
Once you have documented the scene and have a police report, go to a doctor and get medical documentation about your injuries. You can then contact a lawyer who can start gathering evidence and help you navigate insurance coverage for self-driving cars in Florida.
Proving Fault in a Self-Driving Car Insurance Claim
One of the challenges of self-driving car accidents is proving which party was at fault. There is no singular driver one can accuse of negligence, and automated systems are extraordinarily complex. Proving fault in these cases is usually a matter of showing that there was some hardware or software error that led to the accident.
Evidence relevant to establishing this may include:
- Vehicle logs and sensor metadata
- Dash cam footage and traffic footage
- Eyewitness accounts
- Software update history and patch notes
- Expert testimony
An attorney can secure access to technical records showing vehicle performance and decision-making to determine whether some hardware or software error caused the accident.
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Contact a Miami Car Accident Lawyer at Blakeley Law Firm
Insurance claims for accidents involving self-driving cars can be incredibly complex, especially when they require digging into the highly technical details of autonomous vehicle operation. If you have been in an accident with a self-driving car, the team at Blakeley Law Firm can manage your claim for you.
We have extensive experience navigating auto insurance claims and are up to date on our knowledge of Florida’s laws governing liability and insurance for autonomous vehicles. We can pursue the car owner, manufacturer, and any other party responsible for your injuries.
If you have more questions about insurance coverage for self-driving cars in Florida, contact our offices online or call today to speak to a Miami personal injury lawyer.
