The laws surrounding traditional auto accidents are pretty clear, but with technology advancing, there are more questions than ever. For example, autonomous vehicles are becoming more common on the roads as more companies start testing the technology. However, what happens when you're involved in an accident with one of these "self-driving" vehicles? Here's what you should know about liability and the auto accident laws surrounding autonomous vehicle accidents.

1. Human Monitoring Is Typically Necessary

Even though these vehicles are referred to as self-driving or autonomous, most of the laws surrounding the use of these vehicles require that there be a human passenger in the car who is equipped to intervene in the event of a safety hazard. If the driver recognized but didn't address the issue that led to your accident, that driver may be the one who is held liable for your accident. Your claim can be filed directly against that driver in a situation like this.

2. Technology Vulnerabilities Can Exist

Autonomous vehicles rely on firmware and software that will allow the vehicle to communicate through online connectivity. This ensures that the vehicle knows where it is at all times, and so that the owner or developer can monitor it as well. Like any other type of technology, these cars aren't immune to hacking. If an accident occurs and is proven to be the result of a hack, the software developer who left the vulnerability in the package may be the one to blame for the accident. In some cases, if the hacker can be traced, they may be held liable as well.

3. Hardware Failures May Occur

Another cause of accidents with autonomous vehicles is hardware or equipment failure. If something on the car fails to respond in a way that prevents the accident, the manufacturer or the person who installed it incorrectly may be held liable. If the failure is something that should have been identified during a safety inspection, you could hold the technician liable for your injuries.

When it comes to self-driving or autonomous vehicles, the laws are just now catching up with technology. The key to determining liability in an auto accident like this is to isolate the cause of the accident first, then establish who was responsible for that particular issue. Reach out to an auto accident law ​attorney near you for more help and to find out how you should proceed.