After an autonomous vehicle accident, insurance in California can be difficult to understand because the regulations are changing so quickly. Insurance companies typically don’t want to pay claims in any situation, so all loopholes will most likely be used as reasons to deny victims’ claims. Despite public concerns, the California DMV is issuing permits to companies like Waymo and Cruise, which are rapidly expanding operations in San Diego.
Victims must often deal with confusion and delays, leading to growing medical debt and a lack of funds needed for vehicle repairs. When the victim is seriously injured, they may even have to survive without their wages, which can be impossible, especially in single-income households. When autonomous vehicles (AVs) cause injuries, the gap between cutting-edge tech and real-world accountability becomes clear.
Current California AV Insurance Rules
According to California regulations, autonomous vehicle operators must have substantial liability insurance of at least $5 million per vehicle. The policies are intended to protect passengers and other road users. The AV insurance policy can pay for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists also have the right to file a claim should they be injured by a driverless car.
The incredibly high requirements for autonomous vehicle insurance coverage stem from the inherent risks of unproven systems. San Diego is known for an unpredictable mix of tourists, random fog, construction zones, and rush-hour traffic. AV operators must follow strict DMV guidelines, including reporting any incidents within 10 days and supplying quarterly operational data. Attorneys and victims can then use the reports to substantiate claims.
What Should Victims Do After An AV Accident?
Whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver, your priority should be your own safety and that of your passengers. Activate hazard lights if you have them and make sure you are in a safe place. Call 911 immediately, and law enforcement will be sent to you. Autonomous vehicles must have two-way communication systems so police can verify key details with a remote human operator. The police report must specify the vehicle’s level of autonomy.
Next, take photos and videos of everything. Capture your injuries, the position of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic, and road conditions. Collect contact information, police badge numbers, and the AV’s license plate number. Anything you say at the scene can be brought up later, so don’t apologize to anyone and don’t discuss too many details until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. Following evidence gathering at the scene, seek medical attention and notify your insurer.
When you contact your insurer, do not apologize and do not make any recorded statements. This stage is also ideal to contact a legal professional. You need a representative who can handle all communications with other parties, including your insurance provider. Furthermore, even if you feel completely fine, you still need to be examined by a physician. Medical treatment creates a paper trail connecting all related medical complications to the incident.
Once you have spoken to an attorney, you can contact the AV company’s dedicated claims line, or you can ask your representative to speak for you. All calls are recorded, so the words used are important. Keep multiple copies of documentation, including medical bills, diagnostic imaging, surgical reports, invoices, repair quotes, and anything else that is even slightly related to the crash. You cannot have too much evidence for self-driving car insurance claims in California.
Filing Self-Driving Car Accident Claims
If you are involved in a collision with a Waymo car, they have insurance accident coverage specifically intended for such situations. You must file a claim with the AV company’s insurer. Typically, you will be required to provide police reports, scene photos, witness statements, and medical bills. Insurance adjusters and attorneys will thoroughly examine black box data, which logs acceleration, braking, sensor feeds, GPS data, and object-detection records.
You and your attorney must simultaneously investigate the incident, the AV company, and its accident history. Because California is an at-fault state, when you file a driverless car insurance claim, liability determination is critical. Compensation generally won’t be paid unless you can prove that the driverless vehicle company is at least partially at fault. Multiple parties can share liability, and your percentage of fault will impact your total compensation.
In many situations, the outcome of a driverless car claim hinges on DMV-mandated collision reports, which clearly demonstrate how the vehicle reacted at the time of the accident. Claimants should expect initial claim denials and lowball settlement offers. Unreasonable offers are usually only the beginning of extensive negotiations, so don’t back down too soon. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Partner With HHJ Trial Attorneys
When facing an autonomous vehicle accident insurance claim in California, many victims feel intimidated and afraid of dealing with corporations with vast resources. Unfortunately, unrepresented victims are pressured into accepting low offers that don’t fully compensate for their damages. The team at HHJ Trial Attorneys is not scared to stand up against corporations to help vulnerable victims. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
