Here’s What to Do if You’ve Been Hit by a Self-Driving Car

The future of driving is not driving at all. Self-driving cars may not be the norm yet, but it’s well on its way with revolutionary advancements through engineering and the passing of corresponding laws. Just recently, Florida passed a bill that allows autonomous vehicles to operate without a driver present. That sounds incredible, but it doesn’t come with consequences. Accidents can still happen, but here’s a quick guide from the kind staff at Impact Medical Lutz on what you can do if you get hit by a self-driving car.

Autonomous Vehicle Laws

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, it is now legal to test and run an autonomous vehicle without a human operator present in 18 states. Florida is included in this handful of locations as we head towards a driverless future.

The most recent 2021 Florida Statute claims that, “Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human operator is not required to operate a fully autonomous vehicle” and that “a fully autonomous vehicle may operate in this state regardless of whether a human operator is physically present in the vehicle.”

This is an exciting development in the car industry, but it also means that there will likely be more cases of victims being involved in driverless accidents. So, what do you do if it happens to you?

The Party at Fault

With new advancements come reworked laws, and it’s not always black and white. Depending on the specifics, the person at fault in an accident with an autonomous vehicle could be anybody. Examples of those in fault include:

• The driver (if present) of the self-driving car failing to take control of the vehicle in time to prevent the collision
• The driver of the non-autonomous vehicle for reckless driving such as speeding or not taking precautions when making turns or changing lanes
• The vehicle manufacturer for producing and selling faulty equipment which was responsible for the accident

Now that new technology has entered the scene, it will take some time for laws surrounding self-driving cars to be fine-tuned as more incidents come to light.

What to Do in an Accident

When it comes to what steps to take after a collision with an autonomous vehicle, you should really treat it the same as any other accident. Calling emergency services and authorities should always come first in case any lives may be at stake. From there you can file a report and begin making a claim with your insurance company. Even if you feel fine in the moment, there are certain injuries that don’t show right away. This is why it’s highly recommended to visit a chiropractor or physical therapist to follow up on your health.

Looking Out for Your Body

Possible injuries that can appear after an accident include:

• Soft tissue damage
• Whiplash
• Pinched nerves
• Herniated discs

Chiropractic care can heal your tendons, ligaments, and muscles which are all extremely vulnerable to damage in a car accident and can affect your ability to perform basic daily activities. If you’re suffering from poor range of motion in your limbs or notice a weakness in your overall muscle strength, regular physical therapy sessions can restore your body back to normal.

Get Treated Today!

If you’ve been hit by a self-driving car, get a full diagnosis at Impact Medical Lutz to get the treatment you need. We’ll make sure your body is back in working order so you can keep living your life to the fullest! Call us today at 813-536-4271 to schedule your appointment.