The Role of Distracted Driving in Autonomous Vehicle Collisions

More and more cars on the road now say they can “drive themselves.” But when crashes happen, and they do, it’s not necessarily the car’s fault. It’s the person who stopped paying attention.

If you were injured in a wreck where the other driver was using Tesla Autopilot, GM Super Cruise, Ford BlueCruise, or another so-called “self-driving” feature, the truth is this:

That driver could still be responsible. And if they weren’t paying attention, they were being negligent.

At 1-800TruckWreck, we’ve seen the consequences of this kind of behavior. We know how to handle complex cases involving automated driving systems, and we know how to hold drivers and companies accountable when people get hurt.

These Systems Are Not Fully Self-Driving, and That’s the Problem

Despite the names, none of today’s consumer-available driving systems are truly fully autonomous. Here’s the reality behind the tech:

Tesla Autopilot & Full Self-Driving (FSD): Despite the name, these systems require constant driver supervision and both hands on the wheel. The car can’t make safe decisions in every scenario.

GM Super Cruise: Allows hands-free driving on mapped highways, but the driver must still pay attention and be ready to take over instantly.

Ford BlueCruise: Similar hands-free system, but only on specific pre-mapped roads. Driver attention monitoring is required.

Rivian Driver+, Mercedes Drive Pilot, and others: All still classified as Level 2 or Level 3 automation, which means the driver is still legally responsible for what happens.

If the person who hit you was distracted, asleep, watching a video, or otherwise disengaged because they thought the car would do the work for them—that’s not innovation. That’s negligence.

Why This Still Counts as Distracted Driving

Distracted driving isn’t just about texting or eating behind the wheel anymore. In the age of driver-assist tech, misusing autonomous features is a dangerous distraction. Common forms of negligence with this tech include:

  • Falling asleep while using an “autopilot”
  • Watching movies or using a phone hands-free
  • Ignoring road conditions because “the car has it”
  • Failing to respond to system alerts or disengagements

Technology We Use to Fight Back Against Big Tech

Crashes involving semi-autonomous vehicles can get complicated fast, especially when tech companies try to shield themselves behind data, software, and legal teams.

At 1-800TruckWreck, we don’t just keep up—we come prepared. We use our own in-house programs and technology to hold them accountable. Here’s how:

RRT (Rapid Response Team): As soon as we’re on the case, our RRT goes to work securing key evidence—black box data, onboard logs, dashcam footage, and crash scene documentation—before it’s lost or wiped.

CRASH Media: Our media team transforms raw data into compelling evidence that tells the story of what really happened. We take speed, braking, lane position, and driver engagement and make it clear in court or at the negotiation table.

Digging for Dirt: We dig into the driver’s history, system failures, safety violations, and product marketing claims. If the company knew there were risks and failed to act, we’ll find it.

Legal Tech Resources: Our attorneys are trained to analyze self-driving systems, federal testing databases, and product design records. We understand the technical side—and how to build a case around it.

When the other side hides behind tech, we fight back with facts—and we bring the tools to prove it.

State Laws Still Require the Driver to Stay in Control

In Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, laws surrounding autonomous driving are still evolving—but one thing is clear: drivers are responsible, no matter what system is turned on.

  • Texas: Even with few restrictions on self-driving vehicle testing, liability still falls on the human operator.
  • Georgia: Requires constant driver oversight for all non-fully autonomous vehicles.
  • Illinois: Has more defined regulations, especially for vehicles in test mode or commercial use.

No matter where it happens, if someone fails to stay alert and causes a crash, it’s their fault—and we’ll prove it.

Talk to a Lawyer Who Understands the Tech and the Law

At 1-800TruckWreck, we’ve helped people in Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Chicago after serious crashes involving Tesla Autopilot, BlueCruise, Super Cruise, and other automated driving systems.

We understand how the systems are marketed. We know how they actually work. And we know how to fight back when a driver tries to shift the blame to the technology.

Call 1-800TruckWreck Today

If you were hit by someone relying too much on their car’s “self-driving” system, that’s not just a mistake; it’s a terrible decision that caused harm. Call 1-800TruckWreck now for a free consultation.

We’ll investigate the crash, protect your rights, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Don’t let a distracted driver hide behind their tech. Let’s hold them accountable, together.

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