Self-Driving Car Accidents Are Increasing — And So Are the Legal Questions

Self-driving and driver-assist technologies like Tesla Autopilot, Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD), and similar systems from other manufacturers are involved in a growing number of serious accidents across Pennsylvania and the nation. Federal regulators have documented over 1,400 incidents involving Tesla’s driver assistance systems, with the NHTSA identifying what it calls a “critical safety gap” in Tesla’s Autopilot design.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a vehicle operating on autopilot, full self-driving mode, or any autonomous driving technology, the legal landscape is fundamentally different from a standard car accident case. These cases involve product liability, software defect analysis, federal safety regulations, and often multiple potentially liable parties.

At the Siddons Law Firm, we represent victims of self-driving car accidents throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland. Our firm combines personal injury litigation experience with an understanding of the evolving technology and regulatory framework surrounding autonomous vehicles.

Why Tesla and Self-Driving Car Accident Cases Are Different

A traditional car accident typically involves one question: which driver was at fault? Self-driving car accidents are far more complex because the “driver” may have been a software algorithm. This creates multiple layers of potential liability:

✅ The vehicle manufacturer — Tesla, GM, Ford, or others may be liable under product liability theory if their autonomous driving system was defective in design, had a manufacturing defect, or lacked adequate warnings about the system’s limitations.

✅ The software developer — When the self-driving software fails to detect a stopped vehicle, misreads a traffic signal, or makes a dangerous lane change, the company responsible for that software may be liable.

✅ The human driver — Even in vehicles with autonomous features, drivers have a legal obligation to remain attentive. If the driver was distracted, intoxicated, or failed to intervene when the system required it, they share liability.

✅ Third-party component manufacturers — Sensors, cameras, radar systems, and LiDAR units are often manufactured by third parties. If a sensor failure contributed to the crash, that manufacturer may also be liable.

Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving: What the Data Shows

Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems have been the subject of intense federal scrutiny. Here is what the evidence shows as of early 2026:

The NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation covering approximately 2.9 million Tesla vehicles over FSD safety concerns, including vehicles operating in low-visibility conditions. Separately, investigators have documented 80 traffic safety violations by Tesla’s FSD system, including running red lights and crossing into oncoming traffic lanes.

In February 2026, a federal judge upheld a $243 million verdict against Tesla in a fatal Autopilot crash case — the largest verdict of its kind. The jury found Tesla 33% responsible for the crash, with the judge ruling that “evidence admitted at trial more than supports the jury verdict.”

NHTSA’s own analysis found that Tesla’s Autopilot has a “weak driver engagement system” that remains active “even when drivers aren’t paying adequate attention,” contributing to what the agency called “foreseeable misuse and avoidable crashes.”

Pennsylvania Law and Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents

Pennsylvania has taken steps to regulate autonomous vehicles through Act 130 of 2022, which gave PennDOT authority to oversee autonomous vehicle operations. Key aspects of Pennsylvania’s legal framework include:

🔹 Product liability claims: Pennsylvania law allows injured parties to bring strict liability claims against manufacturers when defective products cause injury. This is particularly powerful in autonomous vehicle cases because you do not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent — only that the product was defective and caused your injury.

🔹 Comparative negligence: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence standard. If you were partially at fault (for example, if you were the Tesla driver who failed to take over), you can still recover damages as long as your fault doesn’t exceed 50%.

🔹 Insurance requirements: Companies testing autonomous vehicles in Pennsylvania must carry at least $5 million in liability insurance, providing a substantial pool for victim compensation.

🔹 Multiple jurisdiction issues: Because these cases often involve manufacturers based in other states (Tesla is headquartered in Texas), federal court jurisdiction, and complex choice-of-law questions, experienced legal counsel is essential.

Types of Self-Driving Car Accident Cases We Handle

Our firm represents victims across the full spectrum of autonomous vehicle accident scenarios:

🚗 Tesla Autopilot crashes — Including failure to detect stopped vehicles, emergency vehicles, pedestrians, motorcycles, and highway barriers

🚗 Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) incidents — Including running red lights, dangerous lane changes, failure to yield, and loss of control

🚗 Crashes with other autonomous vehicles — Including GM Cruise, Waymo, and other manufacturers’ self-driving systems

🚗 Pedestrian and cyclist injuries — When autonomous vehicles fail to detect vulnerable road users

🚗 Multi-vehicle accidents — Where autonomous driving technology contributed to a chain-reaction crash

🚗 Wrongful death cases — When autonomous vehicle failures result in fatal crashes

🚗 Passenger injuries — When you were a passenger in a self-driving vehicle that crashed

What to Do After a Self-Driving Car Accident in Pennsylvania

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a Tesla or other vehicle using autonomous driving features, take these critical steps:

1. Document the vehicle’s mode. If possible, note whether the vehicle’s autonomous features were engaged. Look for dashboard indicators, and if you’re the driver, do not dismiss or reset any on-screen notifications.

2. Preserve all data. Tesla vehicles record extensive data about Autopilot and FSD engagement, including camera footage, sensor readings, and driver interaction logs. This data can be overwritten. Contact an attorney immediately to ensure a preservation letter is sent to Tesla before critical evidence is lost.

3. File a police report. Make sure the responding officer documents that the vehicle may have been operating in autonomous mode. This creates an official record that will be important later.

4. Seek medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated. Autonomous vehicle crashes often occur at highway speeds and can cause delayed-onset injuries.

5. Do not give recorded statements to Tesla’s insurance carrier or the vehicle owner’s insurer without legal counsel. These cases involve complex liability questions, and early statements can be used against you.

6. Contact an experienced attorney. Self-driving car accident cases require specialized knowledge of product liability law, federal safety regulations, and automotive technology. The sooner you engage counsel, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions — Self-Driving Car Accidents

Who is liable when a Tesla on Autopilot causes an accident?

Liability depends on the specific circumstances. If Autopilot was engaged and failed to detect a hazard, Tesla may be liable under product liability theory. If the driver was supposed to be monitoring the road and wasn’t, the driver may share liability. In many cases, both Tesla and the driver bear responsibility. The February 2026 federal verdict found Tesla 33% liable and the driver 67% liable, resulting in a $243 million judgment.

Can I sue Tesla if I was hit by a car using Autopilot or FSD?

Yes. If you were injured by a Tesla operating on Autopilot or Full Self-Driving and a defect in that system contributed to the crash, you can bring a product liability claim against Tesla. You can also sue the driver of the Tesla for negligence. Pennsylvania’s strict liability laws are favorable to victims in product defect cases.

What evidence is needed in a self-driving car accident case?

Critical evidence includes the vehicle’s event data recorder (EDR) information, Autopilot/FSD engagement logs, camera and sensor data, over-the-air software update history, driver interaction records, and any NHTSA complaints or investigations related to similar incidents. Time is of the essence — Tesla can overwrite vehicle data during routine updates.

How much is a self-driving car accident case worth?

Case values vary widely based on the severity of injuries, strength of the product liability claim, and available insurance coverage. Recent verdicts and settlements in Tesla Autopilot cases have ranged from hundreds of thousands to the $243 million federal verdict upheld in February 2026. Our firm evaluates each case individually during a free consultation.

Related Resources

• Auto Accident Lawyers in Media, PA
• Pennsylvania Auto Accident Lawyers
• What to Do After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania
• Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
• Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer
• Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Personal Injury FAQ
• Truck Accident Attorneys

This communication is from a law firm. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and case results depend on the specific facts and legal issues involved.