Lawyers have called for new legislation to ensure people injured in collisions involving driverless vehicles can access the onboard data required to support compensation claims, as the Department for Transport continues developing safety regulations, says TaxiPoint.

The intervention comes as the DfT consults on the future regulatory framework for automated vehicles, with industry adoption accelerating from semi-autonomous features such as lane assist and adaptive cruise control to fully self-driving systems.

Gordon Dalyell, speaking on behalf of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), said current proposals do not go far enough in guaranteeing access to critical collision data for injured parties.

“As driverless, or automated vehicle technology forges ahead, it is paramount that the law keeps pace so if people are injured and a driverless vehicle is to blame, they can seek redress,” he said.

Dalyell warned that while draft proposals require manufacturers and other companies holding vehicle data to disclose information to insurers and regulators, the same obligation should extend to claimants and their legal representatives.

“If someone is injured through no fault of their own, and a driverless car is involved, they must be allowed to see any data held on the vehicle as it could be vital to their claim for compensation,” he added.

He concluded by saying that access to such data could reveal potential safety failings or system errors, which may be central to determining liability in incidents involving automated driving systems. Without formal rights to access this information, injured parties could face legal challenges when pursuing claims against large manufacturers or technology firms.

(Picture: Yay Images)