Practice Areas
Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents
The Driver Blames the Car. The Manufacturer Blames the Driver. We Find the Truth.
When technology is involved, liability gets blurry. We cut through the excuses to hold the right party accountable.
Call for a free case review any time. No fee unless we win.
This Is Not a Regular Car Wreck. This Is a Software Fight.
When a self-driving or autonomous vehicle hits you, you are up against more than a negligent driver. You are facing the full force of manufacturers, software developers, and insurance companies who will close ranks and hide behind the algorithm. They will argue that the system behaved as designed. They will try to blame the human backup driver. Some will even try to blame you.
Bulldog Bob Cheeley knows how these companies operate. He knows how to cut through the technical jargon and force accountability. He understands the difference between Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 autonomy. He knows how to expose sensor failures, negligence in over the air updates, and coding decisions that led to catastrophic injuries.
Self driving vehicle cases demand technical knowledge, relentless pressure, and the willingness to take on global corporations. Cheeley Law Group has built a reputation for standing up to powerful companies and pushing until the truth comes out. We do not back down. Ever.
Who Is Truly at Fault in a Self Driving Vehicle Accident?
Determining fault in an autonomous vehicle crash is far more complex than in a traditional collision. You need a firm that can dissect every layer of responsibility. We investigate four areas of liability with the intensity that sets Bulldog Bob apart.
The Manufacturer
Did the hardware fail? Was there a defect in the camera system, radar array, braking module, or steering system? If so, this becomes a product liability case with the manufacturer in the spotlight.
The Software or Algorithm
Did the vehicle misinterpret an object? Did the code choose an unsafe action? Were there known software bugs that the company ignored? These answers define programming negligence.
The Component Supplier
Many autonomous systems rely on technology from third party suppliers. A failed LiDAR sensor, processor, or brake component can place the blame squarely on the part manufacturer.
The Vehicle Operator
Many cars marketed as self driving are only Level 2 or Level 3 systems. A human must be ready to take control. If the driver was distracted or misusing the system, the liability may shift. We connect every piece of data to the law. We build the narrative that exposes the truth and holds the right party responsible.
Our Technical Resources
Fighting for the Black Box Data
Self driving vehicle cases are won and lost on technical evidence. You need a law firm that knows how to secure it immediately.
- We move fast to capture every digital footprint.
- We demand black box data.
- We preserve sensor logs.
- We hire experts who can read the operational heart of the vehicle.
Here is what we uncover:
Event Data Recorder
The EDR reveals speed, braking, steering angles, and the exact moment the autonomous system disengaged. This data often exposes whether the car failed or the human failed.
Sensor Logs and Telemetry
Every autonomous vehicle sees the world through cameras, radar, and LiDAR. The telemetry shows what the car detected and how the algorithm interpreted it. When the system makes a deadly choice, these logs tell the story.
Over the Air Software Updates
Manufacturers push updates constantly. If they ignored a known issue or released a flawed update, that becomes a major point of liability.
System Warnings and Driver Alerts
If the car issued warnings that were ignored, or if it failed to warn the driver at all, we use that evidence to establish responsibility.
Cheeley Law Group works with world class engineers and industry experts who know how to interpret this technology and explain it in a courtroom. We turn complex data into clear proof.
Warning: Evidence disappears.
Manufacturers can wipe server logs and "black box" data.
Don't let them delete your case.
Compensation for Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
From sensor failures on the highway to software glitches at city intersections, autonomous vehicle crashes are rarely simple. They frequently involve delayed reaction times and unexpected outcomes that lead to severe, life-altering injuries.
Cheeley Law Group fights for every form of compensation available under Georgia law, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
You only get one chance to secure the financial support you need. You deserve a law firm that treats your case with the seriousness it deserves.
When Technology Fails, You Need a Law Firm That Will Not
Big Tech and global automakers have entire teams dedicated to hiding behind technical language. Do not let them bury your case in algorithms and excuses. Cheeley Law Group knows how to dismantle their defenses and fight for the truth.
Call Bulldog Bob today.
Put a technical authority on your side.
Free case review any time. No fee unless we win.
The Bulldog Reputation
- Frank Beltran
Practice Areas
Why Choose Cheeley Law Group
- Led by Bulldog Bob and backed by a Pack
- Record setting verdicts for Georgia families
- Trial first strategy every time
- Straight talk with no legal jargon
- Technology that brings your case to life
- Personal attention from start to finish
Local Focus for Georgia Communities
Cheeley Law Group serves victims across the Atlanta metro area and surrounding communities. This includes:
- Alpharetta
- Johns Creek
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Duluth
- Marietta
- Atlanta
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If the other driver says their car was on "Autopilot" or "Full Self-Driving" mode when they hit me, are they still liable?
Yes. Under current Georgia law, the human driver is responsible for monitoring the vehicle. However, if the system malfunctioned (like jerking the wheel unexpectedly), we may also be able to sue the manufacturer for a defect, potentially increasing the available compensation significantly.
Can we sue the car manufacturer (like Tesla, Waymo, or GM) if the vehicle malfunctioned?
Yes, but it is a difficult fight. These are Product Liability cases. To win, we must prove the vehicle had a specific defect (software or hardware) that caused the injury. These companies have massive legal teams. You need a firm like Cheeley Law Group that has the resources to go toe-to-toe with them.
How do you prove whether the human or the computer was driving at the moment of impact?
We obtain the vehicle’s “Black Box” (ECU/EDR) data. Modern autonomous vehicles record terabytes of data, including steering inputs, braking pressure, and exactly which sensors were active milliseconds before a crash. Manufacturers often try to withhold this proprietary data. We use court orders and forensic experts to extract this information, proving exactly who, or what, was in control when the accident happened.
Does standard car insurance cover accidents involving self-driving vehicles?
Generally, yes, but it can get complicated. Since almost all “self-driving” cars (like Teslas) still require a human to sit in the driver’s seat and pay attention, the law treats them like normal cars. If you crash while using Autopilot, your standard car insurance pays for the damage. However, if a fully driverless vehicle (like a robotaxi with no driver) hits you, the claim is paid by that company’s corporate insurance, not a personal auto policy.
What is "phantom braking" and do I have a case if it caused my accident?
This occurs when a self-driving car “sees” a ghost—often a shadow or bridge—and slams on the brakes for no reason. If this caused you to be rear-ended, or caused your car to be hit, it is a classic software defect case. We can help.
I was injured while riding in a Waymo or robotaxi. Is this treated like an Uber accident?
No. In an Uber crash, we sue the driver. In a Robotaxi crash, there is no driver. We must sue the fleet operator or the manufacturer. These are high-stakes corporate liability cases that require specialized legal knowledge.
Who is responsible if a driverless car hits me and there is nobody inside it?
If there is no human driver, the company that operates the vehicle is responsible. In Georgia, a robotaxi (like a Waymo) or a commercial driverless truck is treated as if the computer system is the “driver.” If that computer makes a mistake and hits you, you file your claim against the corporation that owns and operates the vehicle.
Is the deadline to file a lawsuit different for a self-driving car defect vs. a regular car accident?
It can be. A standard car accident claim has a 2-year statute of limitations. However, if we sue for a product defect, Georgia has a 10-year Statute of Repose from the date the car was first sold. We analyze these deadlines immediately to ensure you never lose your right to fight.