Self-Driving Car Accidents: Who’s Liable in Florida?
At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, we fight for victims injured in serious car accidents — including self-driving car accidents in Florida. As autonomous vehicles become more common on our roads, so do the legal questions about who’s at fault when an accident occurs.
Self-driving technology promises convenience and safety, but the reality is more complicated. When things go wrong, victims are left with serious injuries, medical bills, and confusion about who is legally responsible. That’s where our team steps in.
What Qualifies as a Self-Driving Vehicle?
In most cases, self-driving or autonomous vehicles still require some level of human control. These cars use advanced technologies like sensors, cameras, GPS, and machine learning to navigate roads. Some are semi-autonomous (like Teslas with Autopilot), while others are fully autonomous and operated by tech companies for testing or rideshare purposes.
Florida is one of the leading states allowing autonomous vehicle testing without a human driver, which makes legal accountability more challenging when accidents happen.
What Causes Self-Driving Car Accidents?
Despite all the built-in technology, self-driving car accidents in Florida often happen because:
The vehicle’s sensors or systems fail
Human drivers misuse or over-rely on autonomous features
Software misjudges road conditions, pedestrians, or traffic
Poor road conditions or signage confuse the system
Another driver behaves unpredictably
When these factors lead to a crash, determining who’s at fault becomes much more complex than in a standard car accident.
Who Is Liable in a Florida Self-Driving Car Accident?
In a typical car crash, liability often falls on the negligent driver. But with autonomous vehicles, liability could involve multiple parties:
Vehicle Manufacturer
If a design flaw or software error caused the accident, the manufacturer may be liable under Florida’s product liability laws.
Human Operator
If the self-driving vehicle still required human supervision, and that driver failed to take action, they could share in the fault.
Tech or Rideshare Company
If a company owns and operates the self-driving vehicle (such as for rideshare or delivery services), they may be held responsible for the crash due to maintenance failures, negligent oversight, or unqualified safety operators.
Third Parties
Sometimes other drivers, poorly maintained roads, or even construction zones can contribute to an AV-related accident. In Florida’s comparative negligence system, multiple parties can share legal responsibility.
Injured in a self-driving car accident in Florida?
Call The Law Offices of Ron Sholes today at 855-WE-FIGHT for your free case review. We don’t get paid unless you win.
How Florida Law Handles Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Florida is one of the most lenient states for autonomous vehicle deployment. State law allows:
Self-driving cars on public roads without a driver
Operators to be defined as the “driver” even if they’re not physically driving
Companies to operate AVs with certain insurance and safety requirements
However, these laws are still evolving — and so are the court cases that interpret them. That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced legal team on your side.
What to Do After a Self-Driving Car Accident in Florida
If you’re injured in an accident involving a self-driving car, The Law Offices of Ron Sholes recommends you:
Call 911 immediately and get medical help.
Take photos and videos of the scene, vehicle, and road conditions.
Collect witness statements and vehicle information.
Avoid discussing fault with other parties or on social media.
Contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Ron Sholes?
Self-driving car accidents involve cutting-edge technology, corporate liability, and evolving laws — not something you want to face alone. At The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, we don’t just handle car accident claims — we fight for the people, no matter how complex the case.
Our team will:
Investigate the crash with AV technology experts
Identify all potentially liable parties
Handle negotiations with manufacturers, insurers, and corporations
Fight aggressively in court if needed
We serve clients throughout Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Orange Park, Palatka, Starke, and surrounding communities.
Learn more about self-driving car accident statistics: here.