Are My Vehicle Accident Injuries Caused by a Software Bug?

It’s not just you controlling your vehicle anymore. Onboard computers and the software they run on impact practically every aspect of the driving experience in the latest cars. There are costs and benefits to this reliance on high tech, and one of those costs is accidents caused by software meant to keep the vehicle running economically, safely, and smoothly.

If you’re injured in a car accident after taking care of your health, talk to Satterley & Kelley, PLLC. We can investigate the cause of your crash and help you make the responsible parties accountable for their acts. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532.

Your Next Car May Be a Software-Defined Vehicle

The phrase “software-defined vehicle” attempts to distinguish between a traditional car enhanced by technology and one that’s run by it, reports Manufacturing.net. Over time, vehicles have added video touch screens and computers to improve gas mileage and emissions. But generally, that tech stays as is after you buy the car.

Features of future vehicles may improve and evolve as onboard software updates. It’s become about as easy to update your car’s software as it is to update your laptop or smartphone. Automakers use cellular connections and high-speed Wi-Fi to do the job. Instead of going to a dealer in response to a recall due to an equipment failure, your software may be updated without you knowing it.

Some of what manufacturers are doing include:

• Adding software-based features like improved touchscreen interfaces, added features like video games, and improved vehicle performance
• Software bugs can be fixed remotely
• Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning make starting a vehicle almost as easy as entering and sitting in the driver’s seat. There is no need for a fob or a key (but one’s needed to set up the system) if all the vehicle needs to do is scan your face as your smartphone does. This not only makes driving easier it may make the car more difficult to steal

Software enhances a vehicle’s ability to do more of the driving. Ford sold pickups and Mustang Mach-Es with the hardware needed for its BlueCruise hands-free driving system, but it added the software later after customers bought them.

Maintenance is also being impacted. Instead of using a device to physically plug into your vehicle’s computer to diagnose problems, that information’s being transmitted to the manufacturer, which warns you of the problem. The system can also remind you when your vehicle needs maintenance.

Software Can Be Your Vehicle’s Electronic Achilles Heel

As software controls more of your vehicle, its problems pose greater threats. Cars that appear to drive themselves are driven by computers, sensors, cameras, and software. In many instances, self-driving vehicles made mistakes that caused injuries and deaths. But software need not be totally in control to cause severe problems for drivers, passengers, and others around them.

Computers can run the vehicle’s climate control. It may open or shut vents and switch from turning on the heater to the air conditioning. That won’t impact a car’s safety until it stops working and drivers become distracted by adjusting temperature controls they thought would work by themselves. Other distractions can be glitchy screens and controls.

More serious are problems with driver assist features, like emergency braking or speed controls, which are supposed to keep you a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. If you’re too reliant on them and they fail, you could rear-end the car in front of you. One recall involving Ram pickups involved a braking system that worked but not as well as it should due to software problems.

As with other devices that are remotely updated, vehicle computers can be hacked with malicious software. Your vehicle may malfunction or not work at all. It may also be used to spy on you, allowing someone to track where you are and record what you say.

In 2015, a Jeep Cherokee was remotely hacked as part of a Wired article. Hackers using the internet gained control of the vehicle’s windshield wipers, climate control, and radio from ten miles away. They also projected a picture of themselves on the Jeep’s digital display.

How This May Impact Your Claim for Compensation

Drivers are responsible for their vehicles. If they’re not reasonably safe, they shouldn’t be driven. If your vehicle’s buggy software causes a crash with another car, the injured party may sue you, but your vehicle insurance’s liability coverage should address the problem.

If you’re injured, you may bring a claim against the dealer selling you the defective vehicle and its manufacturer. If the software was developed by a contractor, they might also be sued.

If you’re the one struck and injured by a vehicle due to its defective software, the other driver, the vehicle’s manufacturer, the dealer selling the vehicle, and the software supplier might all be subject to a lawsuit.

Speak To A Louisville Car Accident Attorney Near You

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys are your boots on the ground if you’re injured in a severe accident in Kentucky. Call us to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer today. Call our Louisville office toll-free at 855-385-9532 or complete our online contact form to get started.