Many auto accidents occur due to driver errors, but some crashes and injuries are the result of mechanical defects. For example, a faulty emergency brake might fail to stop the car in time.
However, vehicles are changing. Auto technology is improving and shifting. Drivers might wonder if these technical advancements will improve safety – or if they will add new dangers.
Self-driving cars present new fears
Semiautonomous, or “self-driving,” vehicles are among the most controversial inventions. Self-driving vehicles could take decades to populate Connecticut roads. However, drivers already wonder whether this feature would be safe for themselves and their families.
The AAA conducted a study that measured how Americans perceive the safety of self-driving cars. Only one tenth of the respondents said that they would trust a self-driving car.
The AAA also found that more drivers would be willing to trust self-driving cars after thorough testing to ensure that the technology was safe. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents wanted to know more about the laws that could protect them from harm.
How mechanical defect claims work now
Current laws might one day apply to self-driving vehicles, but the future is uncertain. Right now, the law protects drivers from dangerous products, including vehicle parts.
If a vehicle part does not work properly, causing an accident, personal injury laws offer a solution. Injured drivers and passengers can sue the manufacturer to recover damages. Personal injury claims for mechanical defects often involve seat belts, airbags, brakes and more.
However, the circumstances of every accident are unique, and the law is a complex topic. After an accident, having the right information is critical.
