Who Should Be Guilty For An Accident By An Self-Driving Car
<p>What would happen if I had a Tesla and I had it drive through the parking lot to pick me up, but it hit someone on the way to me. Is it my fault or TESLA's fault? Explain.</p>

<p>One way to think about it is that the self-driving feature is just like any other feature of the car.</p>
<p>Suppose you set the parking brake of your car, but it still rolled down the hill and struck someone.  I think it's clear that you would be liable, since it's your car and you were in control of it.</p>
<p>If the brakes were faulty, you <em>might</em> have a civil claim against the manufacturer for producing a faulty device.  But that would be a separate claim</p>
<p>You can think of the self-driving feature the same way.  Of course, this is an area of emerging law and new technology, so things could change.</p>

<p>Did you willfully operate the car?</p>
<p>If yes, you're the person liable.</p>
<p><strong>Then</strong>, you might have a civil case against Tesla for selling you a product that did not meet your expectations.</p>
<p>If the product didn't meet even the most basic expectations of usability - e.g. if the brake pedal acted as gas instead - it can be a decisive argument in your defense. But you're still the defendant, as it was you that pressed that pedal.</p>

driving negligence car