Publication

Product Liability Update – Self-Driving Vehicle Liability

Jun 09, 2014

Who’s Liable When Cars Do The Driving?

by Michael Preciado

Reprinted with the permission of the Daily Journal. Originally printed on May 14, 2014.

Midnight, Downtown Los Angeles. Dave walks out of a crowded bar to smoke a cigarette. He sees a group of friends from college who say they’re going to grab some burgers and ask him to join. Embarrassed, he realizes he’s too drunk to drive home, but says he’ll meet them there. Calmly, Dave clicks his smartphone and activates his new sports car. Within minutes, an unmanned vehicle pulls up to the curb and Dave gets in the back. “Take me to Burger City,” he says to the empty vehicle. As the car drives perfectly to its destination, Dave passes out drunk in the back seat.

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