Rideshare vs. Self-Driving Car Accidents: Who’s Responsible When Technology Takes The Wheel?

If you live in a city, especially Las Vegas, you likely have used or seen rideshare cars or autonomous vehicles. These services like Uber, Lyft, Waymo, and Zoox are becoming more common on the roads which means they can be involved in car accidents more often.

Car crashes from rideshares and autonomous vehicles may seem like your typical car accidents when it comes to handling injuries, but they can be different in terms of the legal process. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights after an accident in these specific circumstances.

What Are Rideshares & Autonomous Vehicles In Las Vegas?

Nevada and specifically Las Vegas has been quick to embrace new modes of transportation as they emerge. Rideshares have existed for some time in Las Vegas. They include companies like Uber and Lyft and are similar to a taxi service, but are operated by independent drivers. These rideshare services operate within an app using a rating system and anyone can drive for Uber or Lyft who meet the platforms’ requirements.

Autonomous cars, on the other hand, are relatively new to Las Vegas, although Nevada was one of the first states to legalize them. These cars operate on their own with no driver. Currently, they are in the testing phase so there are typically human test drivers in these cars to ensure safety during the test. Autonomous vehicles companies include Waymo and Zoox.

Common Causes Of Rideshare Accidents & Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

While both rideshare and autonomous vehicle accidents are car accidents, Las Vegas car accident lawyers find there are significant differences in how they are handled when it comes to cause for the accident.

Causes Of Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare accidents are similar to regular car accidents since they still involve a human in control of the vehicle. Typically, the causes of rideshare accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driver fatigue
• Unfamiliarity with the area
• Sudden stops
• Illegal turns
• Passenger behavior

Causes Of Las Vegas Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

Autonomous vehicle accidents tend to have different causes due to the lack of humans in control of the vehicle. While autonomous vehicles are typically very safe, there can be situations in which they may be crashed into or cause a crash themselves. Common causes of these vehicles include:

• Software malfunctions
• Sensor failures
• Inadequate testing
• Human override errors
• Impaired human driving

Who Is Liable For a Rideshare Or Autonomous Vehicle Accident?

Car accidents can become much more complex when involving a rideshare or autonomous vehicle. When liability is called into question, determining who is at fault can be challenging. In these cases, it can be especially crucial to have a Las Vegas car accident lawyer on your side fighting for your rights and fair compensation.

In rideshare accidents, liability likely falls on either the driver or the rideshare company. Companies like Uber and Lyft are required to carry at least $1 million in liability coverage when a ride is happening. If the driver is at fault and they had the app open on their phone when the accident occurred, this liability coverage could apply.

Autonomous vehicles that are involved in car accidents pass liability onto their manufacturer, software developer, or technician. However, in some cases these cars are being operated or monitored by a human rider. If this human fails to intervene during a malfunction, they may share fault with the autonomous vehicle company.

What To Do Immediately Following An Accident With a Rideshare Or Autonomous Vehicle?

Like any car accident, there are some steps you should follow immediately afterwards in order to ensure you are safe, you have evidence, and you get the compensation you need for your injuries:

• Step 1- Medical Attention: If your injuries need immediate attention, seek medical care right away. If not, be sure you get a full evaluation the same day after the accident. Some injuries take time to show up and a medical evaluation can spot them and ensure you are compensated.
• Step 2- Report the Accident to Police: Call the police if you are able and file a report. Be sure to request a copy of the police report for your records.
• Step 3- Notify the Right Party: For rideshare accidents, report them through the appropriate rideshare app. For autonomous vehicle accidents, reach out to the main operator of the manufacturer.
• Step 4- Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the scene. Get information from witnesses. Obtain in-app ride details for rideshares or black box and software data for autonomous vehicles. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you with this.

Vehicle Accidents & Nevada Laws That Affect Compensation

Nevada has a few laws that can significantly impact your car accident case and what compensation you can receive. The most important of the laws to remember is the modified comparative negligence rule and the statute of limitations.

The modified comparative negligence rule affects your compensation in a car accident case if you share any blame. Under this rule, if you hold 51% or more of the fault, you will be barred from claiming any compensation. You will be assigned a percentage of fault and if you are below 50% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by that amount.

The statute of limitations in Nevada for personal injury law is 2 years from the date the accident occurs. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer will make sure you file your claim before this deadline is up and you are barred from filing altogether. However, the sooner you are able to get the process started, the more likely you will be successful.

Our Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers Can Help In Rideshare and Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

Due to the complexity in determining liability and Nevada’s modified comparative negligence law, having a Las Vegas car accident attorney on your case can make the difference between obtaining minimal compensation and compensation that covers everything from medical expenses to pain and suffering to lost wages. At Benson & Bingham, we have a passion for justice, holding those responsible for your injuries accountable.

With a track record of success and years of experience, you won’t regret it. Get in contact with us today!