The Convolution Addressing the Conundrum of Liability and Privacy in the Age of Autonomous Vehicles

The Automotive Industry has registered an impeccable growth rate since the adoption of autonomous vehicles by vehicle manufacturers in their high-end models. These fully autonomous vehicles are poised to replace the traditional human driver. Hence, the whole set of laws defining liability in the event of an accident involving a vehicle have to be reformed. An autonomous vehicle being sued in lieu of a human driver, would be impractical. With the accidents involving autonomous vehicles increasing, newly minted laws like that of Michigan Harbor Lacunas are forming to address the question of liability and as a consequence of which the innocent (the manufacturer in so many cases) is held absolutely liable, despite his pleading defense. Such a harsh stance is unhealthy for the development of technology. Apart from the conundrum surrounding liability there are other dimensions which are equally unaddressed when it comes to automation. These autonomous vehicles rely on data, thereby adding to the vulnerability of protection of an individual’s privacy. These brimming chaos are likely to hamper the aggrandizement of technology and subsequent protection of commercial interests. This Article is an attempt to comprehensively analyze the uncertainty surrounding the questions of liability and privacy protection for autonomous vehicles. It takes into account the technology friendly interpretation of law, which will balance the diametrically opposite variables. It draws the laws from the existing set of principles available. Further, it proposes a new framework eliminate obscurity and concludes on a positive note with recommendations which are likely to accentuate the effectiveness of the current laws and lay down a steppingstone for the future development of laws.