The Role of Government Regulations in Preventing Self-Driving Car Accidents

How Government Regulations Help Prevent Self-Driving Car Accidents

Self-driving cars are on the rise, but are they as safe as promised? Imagine driving through Dallas, Fort Worth, or Atlanta, and an autonomous vehicle suddenly brakes or swerves. Who is keeping these cars safe, and who is accountable when they fail?

According to Amy Witherite, founder of 1-800-TruckWreck, government oversight is lagging. “There are almost no regulations for these driverless vehicles,” she explains. “In 2017, the Texas legislature passed a bill legalizing driverless vehicles and preventing cities from enacting their own regulations.”

At 1-800-TruckWreck, we believe safety shouldn’t take a back seat to innovation. Let’s look at where regulations on this tech are now, and where they should be in the near future. 

The Need for Stronger Regulations

Government regulations are supposed to ensure autonomous vehicles meet safety standards. However, as Amy puts it, the real world is far from the perfect conditions these vehicles are often tested in.

“We see videos of pristine trucks operating in perfect weather conditions. That is not the real world,” says Amy. “There is little independent data to determine how these vehicles will react to unanticipated roadway activity such as construction, bad weather, or emergency vehicles”​.

Without stricter oversight, self-driving technology—no matter how advanced—puts the public at risk when tested on busy city streets and highways.

Who Is Liable in Self-Driving Car Wrecks?

When an autonomous vehicle causes an accident, figuring out who’s responsible can be complicated. Is it the vehicle owner, the software developer, or the manufacturer? Regulations can help clarify this, but until then, these cases often involve finger-pointing and complex investigations.

“Individuals injured in a crash with an autonomous vehicle will face a much more difficult time determining who was at fault,” Amy explains. “The amount of finger-pointing between various parties will increase tenfold because of all the technology involved”​.

At 1-800-TruckWreck, we cut through the confusion to identify who’s at fault. Whether it’s a lack of maintenance, software failure, or poor design, our team investigates every angle to hold the right people accountable.

Why Safety Can’t Wait

The race to get autonomous vehicles on the road is driven by billions of dollars in cost savings. But as Amy points out, “Those savings must not come at the expense of public safety”​.

For the safety of everyone on the road, it’s time for stricter rules:

• Mandatory Real-World Testing: Vehicles must prove they can handle unpredictable situations like bad weather and emergency stops.
• Clear Maintenance Requirements: Owners and companies must ensure vehicles are road-ready and sensors are functional.
• Public Data Sharing: Companies must disclose accident details and technology failures to improve overall safety.

Without these measures, autonomous cars remain a risk to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Don’t Wait—Call 1-800-TruckWreck Today

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a self-driving car accident, you need experienced lawyers on your side. Call 1-800-TruckWreck for a free consultation today.

As Amy says: “The public shouldn’t pay the price for unproven, unregulated technology.” Let us fight for your safety and justice.