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Autonomous Vehicle Accidents in Arizona

Arizona has positioned itself as a national hub for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment. Companies operate self-driving vehicles on public roads throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, and while the technology promises safer transportation in the long run, accidents involving autonomous vehicles are happening now - and the liability questions they raise are unlike any traditional car accident case.

At Hoxie Law, Joseph Hoxie stays at the forefront of this evolving area of law. If you have been injured in an accident involving a self-driving vehicle, you deserve an attorney who understands both the technology and the legal framework that governs it.

Who Is Liable When a Self-Driving Car Causes an Accident?

Autonomous vehicle accidents raise complex questions about responsibility that do not arise in standard car accident cases. Potentially liable parties may include:

  • The vehicle manufacturer - if a design defect, sensor failure, or software error caused the crash, the manufacturer may bear product liability
  • The technology company - the company that developed the autonomous driving system (which may differ from the vehicle manufacturer) could be liable for defects in their software, algorithms, or sensor suite
  • The safety operator - many autonomous vehicles still require a human safety operator. If that operator failed to intervene when the system malfunctioned, they may share liability
  • The vehicle owner or fleet operator - the company that owns and operates the self-driving vehicle fleet may be liable for improper maintenance or deployment decisions
  • Other drivers - in some cases, a human driver's negligence is the primary cause of a crash involving an autonomous vehicle

Arizona's Autonomous Vehicle Landscape

Arizona has adopted a permissive regulatory approach to autonomous vehicles, making it one of the most active testing grounds in the country. Key considerations include:

  • Executive orders and legislation: Arizona has issued executive orders and enacted legislation facilitating autonomous vehicle testing and deployment on public roads.
  • Insurance requirements: Autonomous vehicle operators may be required to maintain specific insurance coverage levels. The regulatory framework continues to evolve.
  • Data and evidence preservation: Autonomous vehicles generate massive amounts of sensor data, camera footage, and system logs that can be crucial evidence. Ensuring this data is preserved before it is overwritten or withheld is essential.

Arizona Law & Your Autonomous Vehicle Claim

  • Product liability: If a defect in the autonomous driving system caused or contributed to the crash, Arizona product liability principles may allow you to pursue claims against the manufacturer and technology developer.
  • Statute of limitations: You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542). Product liability claims may have different timelines.
  • Comparative negligence: Arizona's pure comparative fault rule applies. Your recovery may be reduced by any percentage of fault attributed to you, but you are not barred from recovery.

Autonomous vehicle cases require technical expertise and the ability to work with engineers and accident reconstruction specialists who understand how these systems operate. Hoxie Law has the determination and resources to take on technology companies and vehicle manufacturers on your behalf.

There is no fee unless we win. Call or text Joseph directly at (480) 896-1040.

Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Rideshare Accidents Slip & Fall Wrongful Death Pedestrian Accidents Hit & Run Autonomous Vehicle Medical Malpractice
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The whole team made this difficult time easy for me and my family. Joseph was always available and fought hard for us.

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Autonomous Vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is liable when an autonomous vehicle causes an accident?
Liability can fall on multiple parties: the vehicle manufacturer, the self-driving technology developer, the software company, the vehicle owner, and potentially a human safety operator if one was present. These cases often involve complex product liability and negligence theories that require thorough investigation.
Are self-driving cars legal in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona has been one of the most permissive states for autonomous vehicle testing and deployment. Executive orders and legislation have allowed companies like Waymo, Cruise, and others to test and operate self-driving vehicles on Arizona roads, including fully driverless operations in some areas.
What should I do if I am hit by a self-driving car in Phoenix?
Call 911 and document everything - take photos of the vehicle (including any sensors, cameras, or company branding), the scene, and your injuries. Note whether a human safety operator was present. Get witness contact information. Do not give statements to the autonomous vehicle company. Contact an attorney experienced in autonomous vehicle accidents immediately.
Can I sue the company that made the self-driving software?
Yes. If the autonomous driving system malfunctioned or failed to detect and avoid a hazard, the software developer may be liable under product liability theories. These claims can involve defective design, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn. The technology company may have data logs that recorded exactly what the vehicle’s systems were doing before the crash.
Do autonomous vehicles have black box data?
Yes - and far more data than traditional vehicles. Self-driving cars continuously record sensor data, camera feeds, LIDAR readings, GPS coordinates, speed, and the decisions made by the AI system. This data is critical evidence in accident cases, but it is controlled by the technology company and must be preserved through legal action.
How long do I have to file an autonomous vehicle accident claim in Arizona?
Arizona’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident (A.R.S. § 12-542). However, acting quickly is especially important in autonomous vehicle cases because critical data may be overwritten or the company may attempt to limit access to vehicle records.
Are autonomous vehicle accident cases harder to prove?
They are more complex but not necessarily harder to prove. Autonomous vehicles generate extensive data that can actually make liability clearer - the vehicle’s own records may show exactly what happened. The challenge is accessing that data and having the technical expertise to interpret it. An experienced attorney works with accident reconstruction and technology experts to build your case.
What if a safety driver was in the autonomous vehicle?
If a human safety operator was present and failed to intervene, both the operator and the autonomous vehicle company may share liability. The company is responsible for training its safety drivers and ensuring they are attentive. Distracted safety operators have been a factor in several high-profile autonomous vehicle accidents.

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