Las Vegas Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Let’s quickly review why an attorney might be helpful when filing a lawsuit. Then, let’s go over some info about autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas.

Why Legal Guidance Matters After an Autonomous Vehicle Crash

Autonomous vehicles are a new technology.

This means dealing with the legal repercussions of an accident can be especially complicated.

An attorney can help navigate the complexities of an autonomous vehicle accident injury lawsuit.

Your lawyer can guide you through essential steps. For example:

• Investigating who is liable
• Gathering evidence
• Ensuring deadlines aren’t missed
• Countering insurance company strategies
• Pursuing compensation under applicable law
• Identifying the parties responsible
• Advocating for you in court

Understanding Autonomous Vehicle Accidents in Las Vegas

An autonomous vehicle is a “self-driving automobile.” “Self-driving cars” are autonomous vehicles, for example.

Here is the Nevada state legislature’s definition of autonomous vehicle:

“Autonomous vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is equipped with an automated driving system which is designed to function at a level of driving automation of level 3, 4 or 5 pursuant to SAE J3016. The term includes a fully autonomous vehicle.

Autonomous vehicles, or AVs, use various technologies to sense and navigate their environment. These include Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser lights, radars, computer vision, and odometry.

Self-driving cars have long been a reality in Las Vegas. This is because Nevada is an early adopter in autonomous vehicle testing. Las Vegas actually became the first region in the US to connect vehicles with its traffic signal network.

Various rideshare pilots and robotaxi services are being tested in Las Vegas. For example:

• Alphabet’s Waymo has tested cars on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Amazon’s Zoox started testing on public roads in Vegas in 2023.

The market is also expected to grow substantially. In 2024, the market for AVs was valued at $22.6 billion and is expected to grow to over $222 billion by 2033. This means we can expect to see more AVs on the road in Las Vegas in the future.

Warnings About Autonomous Vehicle Safety

While many claim that self-driving cars are a future technology that will save lives, that might not be the case.

The Association for Computing Machinery, a top American professional association for computer engineers, warned policymakers in April 2024. They said we “should not assume that fully automated vehicles will necessarily reduce road injuries and fatalities.”

Now, let’s review who may be responsible for an AV accident.

In reality, multiple parties could share fault in an AV accident. For this reason, it’s necessary to investigate all potentially liable parties when making an AV-related claim.

Autonomous vehicles are an emerging area of technology and law. These are some parties who could technically be at fault in the event of an AV accident.

Vehicle Manufacturers

Manufacturing defects and design flaws can make a carmaker liable. If such a defect causes an accident, they may be at fault.

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires manufacturers to ensure their vehicles meet federal safety standards. If a defect is found, manufacturers are required to inform the relevant authorities and take corrective action.

Software Developers

Autonomous vehicles rely on software for their self-driving capabilities. If the software is faulty and causes an accident, the company that produced the software could be liable.

Here are some aspects that could cause liability:

• Faulty algorithms
• Software bugs
• Inadequate testing of autonomous driving software

Software updates, version control, and maintenance records may be key evidence in such claims.

When we discuss AVs, it’s key to note that the software company might not be the same as the carmaker. This can add another layer of complexity to these claims.

Software issues are common defects in self-driving cars. For example, Amazon’s Zoox issued a software recall for 270 robotaxis after a crash in Las Vegas in April 2025.

Fleet Operators and Rideshare Companies

Companies that operate fleets in Las Vegas can be liable for improper maintenance, monitoring, or policy failures. These companies can be held responsible for what their vehicles and drivers do.

Human Operators

In some cases, such as testing certain types of autonomous vehicles on a highway in Nevada, a human operator is required by law. The operator must be seated and capable of taking immediate manual control of the car in case of a system failure or emergency.

If the human operator is negligent or fails to intervene when required, they may be held liable if an accident occurs.

The following is an example where a human operator was involved in a crash:

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated a 2017 autonomous shuttle collision in Las Vegas. (At that time, Nevada law required a human attendant aboard the shuttle during testing.) The NTSB found that “the attendant’s not being in a position to take manual control of the vehicle in an emergency” was “contributing to the cause of the collision.”

Hardware and Sensor Manufacturers

The software systems that allow driverless cars to operate rely on sensors. These sensors help the software understand the vehicle’s surroundings. Malfunctioning LIDAR, radar, cameras, or other sensors that fail to detect obstacles can contribute to an accident.

Liability might include third-party manufacturers if their part fails after proper installation. If this scenario causes an accident, sensor calibration and maintenance records may be used as evidence.

Government Entities

The following situations could create risks for autonomous vehicles:

• Poor road maintenance
• Faded lane markings
• Missing signage
• Malfunctioning traffic lights

These instances could lead to municipal liability.

Be aware that claims against government entities often have shorter deadlines or notice rules. These can change depending on the situation.

Nevada was the first U.S. state to legalize autonomous vehicle testing in 2011. The state maintains specific statutes under NRS Chapter 482A.

Please keep in mind that the legal framework for autonomous vehicles is evolving since this is a new technology.

Some Nevada Laws might be relevant in a potential lawsuit if you’ve been injured in an autonomous vehicle accident in Las Vegas. Here are some of the relevant laws:

Key Requirements for Testing and Operation

The law in Nevada allows autonomous vehicles of any level of automation (Levels 3, 4, or 5) to operate on public roads if they follow the regulations under NRS Chapter 482A.

The Nevada DMV does not issue a permit or license based on a vehicle’s level of automation. The DMV also does not conduct testing or certification of autonomous vehicle technology.

Operators must get approval from the Nevada DMV before testing on public roads. They must also follow the requirements to test or operate autonomous vehicles in Nevada. These requirements include:

• A human operator is required onboard when testing on the highway. This is unless the vehicle qualifies as a fully autonomous vehicle capable of achieving a minimal risk condition in the event of a failure.
• The vehicle must be equipped with:
  • A manual override switch to disengage autonomous mode
  • An indicator showing when autonomous mode is active
  • A system to alert the human operator to take manual control if the automated system fails
  • If no human operator is present, a system that can bring the vehicle to a safe stop if the automated system fails (subject to DMV approval)

Mandatory Insurance and Safety Rules

Nevada requires a $5 million insurance policy or bond before testing an autonomous vehicle on public roads.

Companies violating insurance compliance may face penalties.

Reporting and Liability Provisions

Nevada’s law requires immediate reporting of autonomous vehicle collisions during testing to state authorities. Failure to report may result in fines or penalties.