What to Do If You Are Injured in a Crash Involving a Driverless Vehicle in Tennessee

As autonomous vehicles enter the Tennessee transportation landscape, including anticipated deployment in Nashville, questions about safety and responsibility naturally follow. Self-driving vehicles promise innovation, but they also introduce new risks that traditional traffic laws were not originally designed to address. If you are injured in a collision involving a vehicle operating under autonomous technology, it is important to understand how Tennessee law applies, what your rights are and how to protect them. At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., with offices in Brentwood, Nashville and Murfreesboro, we assist injured individuals in navigating these complex situations. Led by attorney John Day, our firm is committed to guiding people through this emerging area of injury law. Anyone who has been injured in one of these incidents is encouraged to contact us at (615) 742-4880.

Autonomous technology blends sophisticated hardware and software to perform tasks that once required constant human control. Sensors, cameras, radar, lidar and artificial intelligence work together to monitor the environment and make driving decisions. Tennessee law already recognizes these systems. Under Tennessee Code § 55-8-202, motor vehicles equipped with autonomous technology may operate on public roads as long as they comply with safety regulations. The statute defines autonomous technology as a system capable of driving the vehicle without human supervision when operating in high or full automation mode and capable of bringing the vehicle to a minimal-risk condition if a critical failure occurs. This definition reflects the legislature’s understanding that autonomous vehicles require strict reliability and the ability to react safely in emergencies.

Although § 55-8-202 acknowledges the existence of self-driving vehicles, the law does not address every scenario that might occur when someone is injured. The Tennessee General Assembly continues to study these issues. In 2025, legislators introduced Senate Bill 0310 and its companion House Bill 1168, which proposed placing restrictions on fully driverless commercial vehicles operating without a human driver in the vehicle. While these bills primarily address commercial operations, they show the state’s attention to the safety and regulatory challenges associated with driverless vehicles. Even with ongoing legislative efforts, traditional negligence and product liability laws remain central to resolving injury disputes involving autonomous systems.

In a traditional automobile accident, the question of fault usually centers on the actions of the drivers involved. An injured person might claim that another driver failed to maintain a proper lookout, violated a traffic signal or followed too closely. In an autonomous-vehicle crash, responsibility may rest with several different individuals or entities. If a human safety operator remains in the driver’s seat and is expected to monitor the system, that person’s failure to intervene could result in liability. An autonomous vehicle may also be struck by a human-controlled vehicle, in which case traditional negligence principles apply. In many autonomous-vehicle crashes, a detailed investigation is necessary to determine whether the human driver or the autonomous system contributed to the collision.

Sometimes the system itself may malfunction. If the software makes a miscalculation, if sensors fail to detect a hazard or if the system misinterprets road conditions, the company operating the autonomous fleet may bear responsibility. A product defect may also be at the heart of the crash. Under Tennessee product liability law, a manufacturer may be held responsible if the vehicle, a system component or the software was defective in its design or malfunctioned due to manufacturing issues. Other entities may also be involved, including companies that maintain the vehicle, data providers that supply mapping information and technology suppliers who design key components.

Despite the complexity of identifying the responsible parties, the rights of an injured person remain clear. Anyone injured in Nashville, Davidson County or other parts of Middle Tennessee has the right to pursue compensation for physical injuries, medical bills, lost wages, future impairment, and pain and suffering. Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule applies, meaning a person may recover damages only if their share of fault is less than 50 percent. If they are found to be 50 percent or more responsible, recovery is barred. Because this standard applies even when autonomous technology is involved, understanding how fault is allocated among human drivers, companies and technology providers becomes particularly important.

At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we begin by conducting a thorough and methodical investigation into how the collision occurred. In accidents involving autonomous vehicles, the vehicle itself usually records important information. These data logs can include sensor readings, vehicle speed, system warnings, braking activity, steering input and decision-making sequences within the autonomous software. This information can be extremely valuable because there may be no human driver who can describe the event. Retrieving this data often requires quick action and coordinated communication with the companies that operate or maintain the vehicle. We send preservation requests as soon as possible so that no evidence is lost or overwritten.

In addition to digital data, we collect traditional evidence such as police reports, scene photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements and physical evidence from the vehicles involved. The complexity of autonomous technology means that multiple sources of information must be examined to understand what occurred. Sometimes a human driver may share responsibility with an autonomous system. In other cases, the system may have acted properly while another vehicle failed to yield or attempted an unsafe maneuver. Every situation is different, and careful evaluation is essential.

Once we gather the evidence, we consider whether any product liability issues exist. If a component within the autonomous system malfunctioned, if the software behaved unpredictably or if the sensors failed to detect a hazard they should have recognized, a product liability claim may be appropriate. Tennessee allows injured individuals to pursue claims against manufacturers whose products are unreasonably dangerous or defective when used as intended. In cases involving advanced technology, independent analysis is often necessary to understand how a component should have performed and whether it fell short of expected safety standards. We coordinate with highly knowledgeable professionals who assist in interpreting the technical evidence and explaining whether the system’s actions were consistent with proper design.

Time is critical in Tennessee personal injury cases. Most injury claims must be filed within one year under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104. Because autonomous-vehicle accidents require extensive investigation into technical details, waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to bring a claim. Early legal involvement gives us the opportunity to secure evidence, consult with professionals and build a clear understanding of the events that led to your injury. The sooner the investigation begins, the stronger your case can become.

If you are ever involved in a collision with an autonomous vehicle, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself. First, seek medical attention even if you believe your injuries are minor. Some injuries, such as concussions or soft-tissue damage, may not become obvious immediately. Medical documentation is also important in establishing the nature and extent of your injuries. Next, contact law enforcement and ensure that a police report is created. If you are physically able, take photographs of the vehicles, the roadway, your injuries and anything else that may help document the scene. Collect contact information from witnesses and note identifying information from the autonomous vehicle, including any visible branding from the operating company.

Local knowledge matters when addressing injuries in Middle Tennessee. Nashville is rapidly growing, and with that growth comes increased testing and potential implementation of autonomous vehicles. Our firm is rooted in the region and understands Tennessee law, local court procedures and the expectations of insurers handling claims in this area. Our offices in Brentwood, Nashville and Murfreesboro provide convenient access for individuals throughout the region, and our familiarity with local traffic patterns, road construction, and collision characteristics enhances our ability to investigate accidents thoroughly.

Accidents involving driverless vehicles raise important questions about safety, responsibility and the future of transportation. Tennessee law will continue to evolve as autonomous technology becomes more common, but injured individuals already have clear rights under existing statutes and case law. At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we help people understand those rights and navigate the challenges that come with unfamiliar technology, multiple potentially responsible parties and complex insurance issues. Whether the crash resulted from human negligence, a system malfunction or a product defect, we work to identify the cause and pursue compensation on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision involving an autonomous or driverless vehicle in Nashville, Davidson County or elsewhere in Middle Tennessee, you do not need to handle the situation alone. We are here to provide guidance, clarity and support from the beginning of your case through its resolution. To discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options, contact the Law Offices of John Day, P.C. at (615) 742-4880.