Navigating an Accidental Collision Involving an Autonomous Vehicle

With the rapid advancement of autonomous vehicles, concerns about their safety and handling of accidents have become increasingly relevant. This article provides comprehensive guidance on what to do if you are involved in a collision with an autonomous vehicle (AV).

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

The incident of a collision with an autonomous vehicle is often misunderstood as a result of the vehicle's technology. However, the onus is on the person responsible for the collision to act accordingly. Negligence, whether due to the driver's inattentiveness or improper use of the technology, still holds significant legal and ethical repercussions. Responsibility and accountability should always be maintained, and fleeing the scene is not an option. It's crucial to act responsibly and provide all necessary information.

Proper Post-Accident Procedures

Regardless of the type of vehicle involved, standard accident procedures should be followed. This includes:

Exchange all essential information with the other party, including names, contact details, and insurance information.

Document the scene with photographs and a description of what happened.

Notify relevant authorities, such as the police or insurance companies.

For accidents involving autonomous vehicles, additional steps might be required. The involved party, typically a licensed driver, must remain in control at all times. If the vehicle's autonomous system makes a mistake, the driver must take immediate control.

Data Storage Systems for Automated Driving (DSSAD)

As noted by Jeremiah Mckenna, new measures are being developed to address the challenges posed by autonomous driving. A key component of these measures is the Data Storage Systems for Automated Driving (DSSAD). Currently, in North America, automakers have voluntarily installed Event Data Recorders (EDRs) in their vehicles. These devices record data from critical moments, such as the time of a collision.

In the context of autonomous vehicles, the DSSAD system extends this functionality. It records data on human-machine interactions leading up to a crash, which can help investigators understand the sequence of events. For instance, it can reveal whether the driver was operating the vehicle appropriately, ignoring warnings, or if the autonomous system was in full control at the time of the accident.

Leveraging DSSAD in Investigation

As the integration of automated systems progresses, the need to understand the interactions between the driver and the vehicle becomes paramount. The data collected by DSSAD can help allocate responsibility for an incident.

For now, investigations involving autonomous vehicles are largely similar to those of conventional vehicles, with an additional focus on the status of the autonomous system at the time of the accident. As “hands-off” driving systems become more prevalent, the installation of DSSAD will become mandatory to ensure clear attribution of fault in crash scenarios.

In summary, whether the involved vehicle is autonomous or not, the post-accident procedures and ethical considerations remain the same. Responsibility, documentation, and the use of available data systems like DSSAD will be crucial in navigating such incidents.