Semi truck accidents, which are already complex legal matters, are going to get a whole lot more complicated now that there’s a possibility a driver may not even physically be behind the wheel.
The general public may still be largely unaware of the uptick in autonomous vehicle (AV) development, especially when it comes to self-driving trucks, but they are a lot closer to hitting Florida highways than you might expect. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is an Autonomous Truck?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classifies driver-assist technologies into six levels, ranging from Level 0 to Level 5. Level 0 technologies are those that provide drivers with momentary assistance, such as automatic emergency braking or lane departure warnings.
Each level involves progressively more assistance and less human intervention. Level 3 tech, also known as conditional automation, is what’s become available in today’s cutting-edge vehicles. These include systems like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving capabilities.
The goal with autonomous trucks is for them to eventually reach Level 5, which is full automation. At this level, the human isn’t even required to be present besides acting as a passenger.
Autonomous Trucks Are Hitting the Roads in Florida
Florida Statute 316.85 opened the door for autonomous vehicle testing and operation on the state’s public roads. Companies must simply meet legal and insurance requirements; the vehicles don’t even have to include a driver.
What Liability Used to Look Like in Truck Accidents
With tech companies and logistics firms racing to deploy autonomous trucks across the country, questions are beginning to arise about who is responsible when a self-driving truck causes a crash.
Traditionally, truck accidents have been handled by identifying which human driver is negligent (either the truck driver or the other vehicle’s driver). If the truck driver is at fault, investigators consider whether the trucking company that hired them or other affiliated entities contributed to the crash.
Common causes of these accidents have included:
- Driver fatigue or distraction
- Improper training
- Mechanical failure due to poor maintenance
- Manufacturing defects
- Speeding
- Negligent hiring practices
These cases generally focus on the at-fault truck driver first and then any behind-the-scenes parties that may have caused or contributed to the crash. For instance, if the trucking company knowingly hired a driver with an abysmal safety record, it could also be held liable.
Who Is Liable When a Self-Driving Truck Causes a Crash?
When autonomous trucks hit the road en masse, it won’t just change who could be liable for an accident; it will also impact how long it takes to settle these cases. That is, in large part, because far more parties could be involved.
Depending on the facts of the crash, liability could shift to any of the following:
- Technology developers
- Sensor or hardware manufacturers
- Maintenance providers
- Fleet owners
- Operators/monitoring personnel
In turn, this creates a complicated shared liability environment, where determining who (or what) failed can require complex digital forensics and expert analysis.
Why This Matters for Florida Drivers
For crash victims in Jacksonville and throughout Florida, the rise of autonomous trucks will likely lead to the following outcomes:
- Longer investigations
- More defendants
- Greater need for technical evidence
- New challenges in proving causation and liability
With all these factors combined, automated trucks will also make handling these cases more challenging for attorneys and judges.
Call Our Jacksonville Truck Attorneys at The Truck Accident Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Even the most advanced AV systems must operate alongside unpredictable human behavior. Merging, yielding, interpreting hand signals from traffic officers, or passing through construction zones all require real-time reactions and reflexes. Humans can be unpredictable, and AV technology may not be prepared for that type of decision-making.
Courts and regulators are currently playing catch-up, and until then, identifying who or what is at fault in these complex incidents will require new tools and greater scrutiny of the systems involved. If you get into a wreck with an AV, call our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys at The Truck Accident Law Firm for a free consultation
