Who's Liable When AI Takes the Wheel? New Frontiers of Civil Liability and Risk Mitigation Strategies in the EU and the U.S.
The emergence of fully autonomous vehicles is fundamentally transforming the landscape of civil liability within the automotive industry. Significant regulatory advancements, evolving case law, and emergent tort doctrines in both the European Union and the United States are actively redefining liability allocation across the entire technology and manufacturing supply chain. This necessitates a proactive update of risk mitigation strategies and a reevaluation of vehicle owners' responsibilities.
The shift toward automated driving technologies is consequently redirecting civil liability exposure to technology providers, component suppliers, and automotive manufacturers. This evolution demands a comprehensive rethinking of traditional civil liability frameworks, with particular focus on four pivotal areas: liability for product and algorithmic defects, cybersecurity and data privacy concerns, the intricate interconnected ecosystem and associated third-party liabilities, and the emergence of new duties for vehicle owners.
Therefore, it is crucial for all automotive industry participants to adopt forward-looking risk mitigation strategies. By implementing robust quality controls, ensuring strict regulatory compliance, and cultivating transparent supply chain relationships, stakeholders can more effectively navigate the complexities of this new era. This approach will help guard against the multifaceted risks linked to automated driving systems, while simultaneously upholding accountability and safeguarding potential victims.
