How Does Nebraska Law Address Accidents Involving Autonomous Vehicle Features?

Nebraska law currently treats accidents involving autonomous vehicle features under traditional negligence principles, focusing on determining fault between human drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and technology companies. While the state has not yet enacted specific legislation for fully autonomous vehicles, existing product liability and personal injury laws apply when semi-autonomous features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, or automatic emergency braking malfunction or contribute to accidents. You may be able to seek compensation from multiple parties, including the vehicle manufacturer, software developer, or another negligent driver, depending on how the technology failed and contributed to your injuries.

The experienced personal injury lawyers at Knowles Law Firm have been protecting Nebraskans’ rights for 55 years, handling complex cases involving emerging automotive technologies. Our team understands how to investigate accidents involving autonomous features and determine the appropriate parties to hold accountable for your damages.

Current Nebraska Legal Framework for Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

Nebraska follows traditional tort law when addressing accidents involving vehicles equipped with autonomous or semi-autonomous features. The state applies comparative negligence principles, meaning fault can be distributed among multiple parties based on their degree of responsibility. When autonomous vehicle features are involved, this often creates a complex web of potential defendants.

The legal analysis typically examines whether the autonomous feature was functioning as designed, whether the driver was properly supervising the vehicle, and whether other parties contributed to the accident. For example, if adaptive cruise control fails to detect a stopped vehicle ahead, both the manufacturer’s design choices and the driver’s attentiveness become relevant factors in determining liability.

Product Liability Claims for Defective Autonomous Features

When autonomous vehicle features malfunction or fail to perform as advertised, injured parties may have grounds for product liability claims against manufacturers. These claims can include design defects, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn consumers about the technology’s limitations.

Design defect claims arise when the autonomous feature’s inherent design creates unreasonable danger. Manufacturing defect claims occur when the specific vehicle’s technology differs from the manufacturer’s intended design. Failure to warn claims focus on whether the manufacturer adequately informed drivers about the feature’s capabilities and limitations.

Common Autonomous Feature Failures Leading to Accidents

Several types of autonomous feature failures commonly result in serious accidents:

• Automatic emergency braking systems failing to detect pedestrians, cyclists, or stopped vehicles
• Lane-keeping assistance systems overcorrecting or failing to detect lane markings
• Adaptive cruise control not maintaining safe following distances
• Parking assistance systems miscalculating distances to objects
• Blind spot monitoring systems failing to alert drivers to approaching vehicles

Each type of failure requires careful investigation to determine whether the malfunction resulted from design flaws, software errors, sensor problems, or inadequate driver education about the system’s limitations.

Challenges in Proving Liability for Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

Autonomous vehicle accident cases present unique challenges in establishing liability. Vehicle data must be preserved and analyzed to understand how the autonomous features were functioning at the time of the accident. This often requires cooperation from manufacturers who may be reluctant to provide detailed technical information about their systems.

Expert testimony becomes crucial in explaining complex technology to judges and juries. Engineers, software developers, and automotive safety researchers may need to testify about industry standards, the specific technology’s capabilities, and whether the manufacturer met reasonable safety expectations. Insurance companies often dispute claims by arguing that drivers should have maintained control despite relying on autonomous features.

The lawyers at Knowles Law Firm work with leading automotive technology experts to build strong cases for clients injured in accidents involving autonomous vehicle features. We understand the technical complexities and have the resources to thoroughly investigate how these systems contributed to your accident.

Protecting Your Rights After an Autonomous Vehicle Accident

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving autonomous vehicle features, taking immediate action protects your legal rights. Document the scene thoroughly, including photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible technology sensors or cameras. Request that responding officers note in their report which autonomous features were active during the accident.

Preserve all vehicle data by notifying the manufacturer and your attorney immediately. Many vehicles automatically record data from autonomous systems, but this information may be overwritten or lost without prompt action. Avoid discussing the accident’s details with insurance representatives until you’ve consulted with an experienced attorney who understands autonomous vehicle technology.

Contact Knowles Law Firm for Help with Your Autonomous Vehicle Accident Case

Accidents involving autonomous vehicle features require experienced legal representation to navigate the complex intersection of personal injury law and emerging automotive technology. At Knowles Law Firm, we have the knowledge and resources to investigate these sophisticated cases and hold all responsible parties accountable for your injuries. Our family-owned firm has obtained multi-million dollar settlements for clients throughout Nebraska, and we’re prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim by blaming you for trusting technology that was supposed to keep you safe. Call us at (402) 431-9000 or complete our contact form for a free consultation about your autonomous vehicle accident case.