Understanding Autonomous Vehicle Liability has become increasingly important as technology transforms how we travel. The rise of autonomous vehicles marks one of the most significant shifts in transportation since the invention of the automobile. Once a futuristic concept, self-driving cars are now navigating roads across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, promising safer, more efficient travel. Yet despite their potential, these technologies create new risks and raise complex legal questions when crashes occur — questions that demand clarity, accountability, and experienced legal representation.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our attorneys have been protecting injured victims for more than 70 years, helping families recover after serious accidents caused by negligence, defective products, and unsafe conditions. As technology advances, our firm remains at the forefront of autonomous vehicle accident claims and product liability litigation across the tri-state region, ensuring victims understand their rights and the evolving laws that govern self-driving car accidents.
What Is an Autonomous Vehicle?
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six levels of automation, ranging from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation with no human involvement). Most vehicles on today’s roads fall between Levels 1 and 3, where drivers must still monitor conditions and be ready to take over when needed.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our attorneys stay informed on emerging laws and ongoing cases involving autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. As technology continues to evolve, we closely follow federal safety standards, manufacturer recalls, and liability developments that may affect future claims. Our goal is to help injured victims understand their rights as this area of law continues to take shape.
The Future of Driving Is Here — and It’s Complicated
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most serious crashes in the United States — about 94% — still involve human error. Automakers are using that statistic to promote driver-assist and autonomous vehicle technologies as tools to improve roadway safety.
Yet, current adoption remains modest. S&P Global Mobility projects that by 2035, fewer than 6% of new vehicles sold worldwide will have Level 4 automation, while the majority will continue to rely on partial automation systems such as lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking.
Despite those cautious forecasts, real-world data already shows the risks of relying too heavily on automation. Federal crash reports and independent research link hundreds of collisions and multiple fatalities to driver-assist and autopilot systems. Tesla, Ford, and General Motors have all faced investigations into their Autopilot, BlueCruise, and Super Cruise programs, while companies like Waymo and Cruise have seen similar scrutiny over autonomous testing safety.
Technology continues to evolve, but it’s far from foolproof. A single sensor glitch, lane-line misreading, or moment of inattention can still cause devastating consequences.
Common causes of autonomous vehicle crashes include:
Faulty sensors or radar systems
Software malfunctions or untested updates
Driver’s overreliance on automation
Defective manufacturing or poor calibration
Inadequate government oversight during testing
When automation fails, victims are often left wondering who bears responsibility — the driver, the manufacturer, or the code itself.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we track developments in Tesla Autopilot, Ford BlueCruise, GM Super Cruise, Waymo, and Cruise AV litigation. Our attorneys understand how these systems work — and how they fail — to protect victims injured by defective automation across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Who Is Responsible After an Autonomous Vehicle Crash?
Determining fault in an autonomous vehicle accident is more complex than in a typical car accident claim. In a standard crash, fault usually falls on one or more negligent drivers. But when a self-driving car or driver-assist vehicle is involved, responsibility can reach far beyond the person behind the wheel.
Several parties may share liability in an autonomous vehicle accident:
Human operators who fail to monitor the system or take control when needed
Manufacturers that release defective or unsafe automation technology
Software developers are responsible for programming errors or poor testing
Component suppliers that provide faulty sensors, cameras, or radar systems
Government agencies that neglect road design, maintenance, or signage
Proving liability in a self-driving car crash demands a thorough, hands-on investigation. Attorneys review data logs, black-box recordings, software updates, and vehicle performance records to identify what failed — and who caused it.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers work closely with engineers, crash reconstructionists, and AI technology experts to analyze digital evidence and expose the truth. We hold manufacturers, software companies, and corporations accountable through clear, evidence-based cases built to win in court.
Ohio’s Approach: Negligence and Product Liability
Ohio uses a fault-based insurance system, meaning the person or company that causes a crash must pay for the damages. When a semi-autonomous vehicle, driver-assist system, or self-driving car is involved, product liability laws also come into play.
Under Ohio Revised Code §2307.71, victims can hold manufacturers, automotive technology companies, and parts suppliers responsible when a defective braking system, sensor, or autopilot feature causes injury.
Victims can pursue compensation for:
Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
Lost income and reduced earning potential
Pain and suffering
Property damage or vehicle replacement
Wrongful death damages after a fatal autonomous vehicle crash
Victims in Ohio have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Acting fast is critical. Self-driving vehicles store vital data logs and black-box information, which can be lost or overwritten without immediate action.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers in Ohio move quickly to preserve evidence and secure digital records. We work to stop manufacturers from deleting or altering vehicle data. This hands-on approach helps us build strong, evidence-based cases for injured clients across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Michigan’s Evolving Landscape for Autonomous Vehicles
Michigan leads the nation in automotive innovation. Lawmakers quickly established regulations for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment under MCL 257.665. Even with these advancements, victims of self-driving car accidents still face major legal challenges under the state’s no-fault insurance system.
Although Michigan’s no-fault laws provide medical benefits regardless of fault, victims can step outside the system and file a third-party lawsuit for serious impairment, permanent disfigurement, or wrongful death. Crashes involving a semi-autonomous vehicle, driver-assist system, or fully autonomous car add layers of complexity because liability often reaches beyond the driver.
Parties that may share fault include:
Vehicle manufacturers that design defective products or ignore automation risks
Software developers whose AI programming errors or poor testing lead to malfunctions
Component suppliers that deliver faulty sensors, braking systems, or camera units
Fleet operators or testing companies that cut corners on safety during automated trials
Our personal injury lawyers in Michigan handle autonomous vehicle accident claims involving driver negligence and product liability. We dig into data logs, black-box records, and vehicle automation software to pinpoint failures and identify responsible parties.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we fight for full and fair compensation—not the minimal offers insurers prefer. Whether a self-driving car struck you, a driver-assist system malfunctioned, or a manufacturer’s negligence caused harm, our Michigan autonomous vehicle accident attorneys protect your rights and hold every liable party accountable.
Indiana’s Legal Approach: Accountability Through Negligence and Product Liability
Indiana handles autonomous vehicle accidents under the state’s negligence and product liability laws. Victims can recover damages when defective technology, unsafe vehicle design, or careless operation of a self-driving car or driver-assist system causes a crash. These claims demand detailed investigations and expert analysis to determine whether human error, mechanical failure, or automation malfunction led to the collision.
When an autonomous vehicle crash causes a death, families can seek justice under the Indiana Wrongful Death Act. A wrongful death claim can recover funeral and burial costs, medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for loss of companionship and emotional suffering. Crashes involving semi-autonomous vehicles or automated driving systems often extend liability beyond the driver to include manufacturers, software developers, or parts suppliers whose negligence played a role.
Although Indiana lacks comprehensive autonomous vehicle legislation, courts now treat these lawsuits as hybrid claims that combine traditional negligence with technological product defects. These cases require attorneys who understand both state liability statutes and the technical side of automation.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers bring decades of courtroom experience and deep knowledge of emerging vehicle technology. We partner with AI engineers, crash reconstruction specialists, and forensic data experts to uncover the truth and build strong, evidence-backed cases for clients across Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.
Critical Evidence in Autonomous Vehicle Accident Cases
Every autonomous vehicle accident lawyer or driver-assist crash attorney knows one fact: data is everything. Modern self-driving cars and semi-autonomous vehicles generate millions of data points every second — from steering inputs and braking pressure to lidar imaging, radar detection, and object recognition algorithms. Accessing that data can mean the difference between winning and losing a case.
In autonomous vehicle accident investigations, critical evidence may include:
Vehicle black-box data and event data recorder logs
Sensor, radar, and lidar readings that capture object proximity and motion
Software update logs, firmware patches, and system maintenance records
Manufacturer test results, recall notices, and internal safety reports
Dash-cam, traffic-camera, or surveillance footage from nearby intersections
Expert analysis from AI engineers, forensic data specialists, and crash reconstruction experts
Because manufacturers, automakers, and insurance companies often resist releasing this proprietary information, securing it requires immediate legal action. Our autonomous vehicle accident attorneys move quickly to issue preservation letters, file court orders, and safeguard digital evidence before it can be deleted, altered, or overwritten.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we understand that these data logs tell the real story behind a self-driving car crash — identifying whether human negligence, software failure, or product defect caused the collision. By combining advanced technology with decades of trial experience, we build powerful, evidence-based cases that hold manufacturers and insurers accountable.
Insurance Complications in a Changing Market
The insurance industry is still catching up with the reality of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles. Many traditional auto insurance policies fail to define who is responsible when vehicle technology, rather than a human driver, contributes to a crash. This uncertainty leaves victims navigating a confusing web of coverage disputes, liability exclusions, and corporate denials.
Common conflicts arise when:
Insurance companies blame human drivers instead of automated systems.
Vehicle manufacturers deny product liability, shifting fault to users or maintenance providers.
Coverage gaps appear between personal policies, commercial fleets, and autonomous testing programs.
Because these policies were never designed for self-driving car accidents, insurers often attempt to minimize payouts or delay valid claims. Our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers have extensive experience handling complex car accident insurance disputes involving driver-assist systems, autopilot crashes, and AI-based vehicle malfunctions.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we uncover every potential source of compensation — from uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to corporate liability insurance. We work directly with policy experts and forensic analysts to interpret contract language, expose bad-faith practices, and ensure that victims receive the full financial recovery they deserve after an autonomous vehicle accident in Ohio, Michigan, or Indiana.
The Future of Autonomous Vehicle Safety
The promise of driverless cars rests on the belief that autonomous vehicle technology will make roads safer, reduce human error, and change how we travel. But during this long transition period—when human-driven and partially automated vehicles share the road—new dangers continue to emerge.
The market for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles is growing fast, though full driverless adoption remains years away.
Roots Analysis forecasts the global autonomous-vehicle market (software, systems, and vehicle integration) will climb from $916.9 billion in 2024 to $19.3 trillion by 2035, a 31.9 % CAGR.
Emerging Patterns in Autonomous Vehicle Growth
Driver-assist and partial-automation features will become common even if full autonomy stays rare.
Liability and accountability will increasingly depend on software reliability, sensor accuracy, and system design, not just driver behavior.
The extended mixed-traffic era—humans and machines operating together—will keep roads and courtrooms complex for years to come.
Law firms must master data-log analysis, software-update tracking, and sensor-failure evidence to build strong cases for injured victims.
As judges, lawmakers, and manufacturers navigate these realities, one truth remains constant: when automation fails, human lives are at risk.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our attorneys stay ahead of these changes. We combine decades of experience in personal injury, wrongful-death, and autonomous-vehicle accident litigation to protect victims as the future of transportation continues to unfold.
Why Legal Experience Matters in the Age of Automation
Navigating an autonomous vehicle claim requires a rare combination of personal injury law, product liability expertise, and technical knowledge of vehicle automation systems. Few law firms are equipped to handle all three — but Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault is one of them.
For more than 70 years, our firm has represented injured victims across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana, helping individuals and families recover after life-changing car and autonomous vehicle accidents. Our autonomous vehicle accident lawyers collaborate with leading engineers, AI technology experts, and crash reconstruction specialists to determine how a crash occurred, identify system or software failures, and prove who is legally responsible.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we understand that these cases are about far more than technology. They are about people — families whose lives have been disrupted by self-driving vehicle failures, driver-assist malfunctions, or manufacturer negligence. Our mission is to fight for accountability, justice, and the financial recovery our clients deserve when automation falls short of its promise to keep drivers safe.
Protecting Victims of Autonomous Vehicle Crashes
If you or someone you love has been injured in a driver-assist or autonomous vehicle accident, you don’t have to face powerful corporations or insurance companies on your own. These cases require skilled autonomous vehicle accident lawyers who understand both the technology and the law.
Contact Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault today for a free, confidential consultation. Our team will review your case, explain your legal rights, and fight for the maximum compensation available for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Call (419) 843-6663 or reach out through our online contact form. Our personal injury attorneys proudly serve clients across Toledo, Maumee, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky, and Monroe, Michigan.
Technology may change the way we drive, but it should never change your right to justice after a crash. When automation fails, Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault fight for the people left behind.
Jeff joined GT&B in 2008 as a law clerk. After graduation, he worked in election law. In 2011, he returned to GT&B as an Associate, focusing on personal injury cases like auto accidents, premises liability, general negligence, wrongful death, and dog bites. Now a Senior Associate in the Personal Injury department, he is passionate about protecting his clients who have suffered injuries through no fault of their own and ensuring they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
