Autonomous vehicles and the future of company liability

There are no independently self-driving vehicles on U.S. roads yet. Many transportation companies hope to change that. The auto industry proclaims that self-driving vehicles offer many safety features. Meanwhile, these vehicles can also make business more efficient for the transportation industry. Many companies have been testing self-driving trucks in California for a few years now. However, these tests indicate that the closer companies get to using autonomous vehicles, the more questions they must answer. BUSINESS OWNERS MUST TAKE CARE INTRODUCING NEW TECH Introducing new technology can be exciting for the whole business. It can also give companies an edge in their industry. However, there are several issues business owners must consider when it comes to new technologies like self-driving vehicles. For example: How will it impact short-term and long-term operations? How will company policies need to change? How will companies revise training guidelines? How will they evaluate cybersecurity measures? Accordingly, even if the new technology may present enormous benefits, it is still necessary to assess the risks. One predominant risk to assess is the potential liability. WHO HOLDS LIABILITY WHEN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES CRASH? Trucking companies already face a unique risk when it comes to auto accidents. If their drivers are involved in an accident, companies inevitably end up dealing with the legal fallout. They must comply with state and federal regulations – and ensure their drivers do as well. Any violations or accusations of negligence could leave trucking companies facing serious liability. Autonomous vehicles will not eradicate that risk. In fact, transportation companies could face a higher risk if self-driving technology malfunctions or causes an accident. COMPANIES MUST PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE Even with extensive testing, there is no way to understand how self-driving technology will impact the future of the transportation industry just yet. However, industry leaders should take steps now to: Understand all the potential risks of implementing this technology Strategize how to manage liability and protect their business Keeping up with the latest technologies is a critical aspect of a business’s success, but the associated risk is a critical factor to assess before implementing new technology.The post Autonomous vehicles and the future of company liability first appeared on Baker & Associates.