Colorado Springs Self-Driving Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Key Takeaways
- Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
- Who is liable: It depends on what the system actually was, and the marketing names are misleading.
- If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
- Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
Who is liable when a self-driving or driver-assist vehicle crashes?
It depends on what the system actually was, and the marketing names are misleading.
Almost every vehicle on Colorado roads today has driver-assistance — adaptive cruise, lane keeping, automatic braking — not autonomy, and the human remains responsible for the driving task. A genuinely automated system that failed shifts the question toward the manufacturer as a product claim. Establishing which it was, and whether the system was engaged, is the first thing that has to be answered.
What evidence exists after a driver-assist crash?
More than in any other crash, and it is controlled by the manufacturer.
These vehicles log system state, driver input, camera and radar data, and over-the-air software versions — which means the record of whether the system was engaged and what it saw exists, but sits with a company that is not on your side. A preservation demand, made early, is what stops that data being aged out or overwritten by the next software update.
Legal Representation After a Self-Driving Vehicle Accident in Colorado Springs
Car companies like to talk about how the future is near and how automated vehicles will change our lives, but fail to mention the major limits of self-driving vehicles. Even the most advanced models for purchase require drivers to be at the wheel and aware of their surroundings. This reliance of auto-pilot mode or other assisted technology puts drivers at risk of losing control of their vehicles and causing serious accidents.
If you or someone you love was injured in a self-driving car accident, Timothy Bussey and our team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. will fight to get you compensation for your injuries. Our Colorado Springs self-driving vehicle accident attorneys understand how devasting and scary these collisions can be, which is why we always advocate for the highest possible award on behalf of our clients. We know how to hold insurance companies to their policies and can provide strong representation throughout your case.
Call our Colorado Springs car accident lawyers today at (719) 475-2555 for a free consultation.
The Limits of Modern Cars
Even the most advanced “self-driving” vehicles have limitations. The NHTSA classifies automated vehicles on a scale of 0-5, with level 0 being no automation and level 5 being fully automated. Current vehicles only reach level 2, which requires a driver to have his or her hands on the wheel and be aware of the surroundings. While these vehicles are getting more advanced, they are not capable of fully replacing drivers, which means driver negligence is still a major issue.
A driver of an automated vehicle can cause a collision by:
- Becoming distracted
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Making reckless turns
- Speeding
- Ignoring safety warnings
- Dangerous lane changes
Who Is Responsible for Your Injuries?
Using a self-driving car does not take away a driver’s liability during a collision — in fact, it only highlights in. Drivers must understand how to safely operate these vehicles and pay attention to their cars’ safety limits, warning systems, and manufacturer guidelines. If a driver commits an act of negligence and injures someone else, he or she can be held liable in a Colorado car accident claim.
When a software has an influence on a vehicle, it presents another layer of liability after an accident. Car manufacturers must thoroughly test their vehicles’ systems before making them available to the public, and this goes double for self-driving cars. In the event of an accident, it is important to review every aspect of a case to determine if a car manufacturer had a hand in your injuries. If a car’s software had a bug or error that caused your collision, then you can hold the manufacturer liable in a Colorado auto product liability claim.
Dedicated Representation in Colorado Springs Car Accident Claims
The age of tomorrow is not here yet, and drivers still have the responsibility to operate their vehicles safely. Any act of negligence or reckless behavior that contributes to someone else’s injuries should be penalized accordingly, and victims deserve proper compensation after an automated vehicle accident. If you or someone you love was injured in a self-driving car accident, contact the Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today. We can immediately begin investigating your injuries and advocate for your best interests in an accident claim. Call us at (719) 475-2555 for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?
Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.
| A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle | 3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n) |
|---|---|
| Most other personal injury claims | 2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102 |
| If you were partly at fault | Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111 |
| Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed | El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 |
Sources and References
- Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 13 (Colorado General Assembly)
- El Paso County Combined Courts — Colorado Judicial Branch
- The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. — Google Business Profile
Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.
Our Colorado Springs Office
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 475-2555
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Rated 5.0 from 203 Google reviews — see the firm on Google Business Profile.