Research on the Division of Tort Liability in Driverless Vehicle Accidents

Abstract

Driverless vehicles significantly liberate drivers from manual control, reduce traffic accident risks, and safeguard public safety and property security. Yet, due to the system-controlled nature and imperfect legal regulations, the division of tort liability in driverless vehicle accidents remains ambiguous, necessitating an adapted accountability framework. Based on clarifying the conceptual scope of driverless vehicles, it is essential to delineate shifts in liability proportions for traffic accidents compared to traditional vehicles, adjust and introduce compulsory liability insurance for driverless driving modes, and appropriately strengthen manufacturer obligations. Considering the transitional historical phase of driverless vehicles, an applicable criterion of liability framework for traffic accidents should be established and substantiated. The burgeoning driverless vehicle technology remains in flux regarding both technical standards and application paradigms. Delineating tort liability must not only operate within existing legal frameworks but also judiciously balance between regulating risks of emerging technologies and fostering their innovative development, thereby supporting the driverless vehicle sector and safeguarding public legal rights.