California axes self-driving car rule limiting liability for crashes

[Joanna + 68]

California has been happy to tweak the rules to get more self-driving cars on the road, but it still has its limits. The state's DMV has eliminated a planned rule  that would have let companies avoid liability for an autonomous vehicle crash if the machine hadn't been maintained to manufacturer specs. By the way, this was suggested by GM

[JohnAtronis + 78]

Sounds like a gift to the tort lawyers

[Stephen + 67]

More likely the manufacturer will end up with strict liability. The self-driving car will need to perform self checks and refuse to drive if it has a registered issue that could result in an accident - like the brakes that are "worn down to the point of being almost useless".

[Joanna + 68]

1 minute ago, JohnAtronis said:

Sounds like a gift to the tort lawyers

 

1 minute ago, JohnAtronis said:

Sounds like a gift to the tort lawyers

CA caved to GM corporate pressure and muddied the future auto insurance claims.