In the modern era of automated, wireless, internet-connected gadgetry, self-driving vehicles have become a new and burgeoning reality. Despite the news about self-driving personal cars from companies like Google, the fastest-growing aspect of this new technology is actually in the realm of self-driving big rigs.

Much to the chagrin of current fleets of truck drivers, the machine-driven vehicles are now being tested and poised to take over at least some of the nation’s freight hauling work (or so their manufacturers hope).

The primary saving grace for currently-employed truckers is that the vehicles will likely not be completely driverless, thus relying on live human beings to keep their eyes on things and perform various maintenance tasks the trucks can’t do alone. Still, truck drivers say, it won’t be the same.

Regardless of whether the human truck drivers we’ve come to rely on will be happy if and when these self-driving big rigs roll out, there’s a distinct possibility that average motorists will find themselves driving next to these “robot trucks” quite regularly in the future.

Could Self-Driving Trucks Lead to an Increase in Semi-Truck Accidents?

One of the most obvious questions that comes to mind when considering self-driving truck technology is whether it will lead to an increase in semi-truck accidents. Those who drive and design the trucks say it’s unlikely; self-driving semi-trucks will still have that human driver behind the wheel to take over if anything should go wrong. Unfortunately, the rest of us can only trust that the driver will be paying attention when that error occurs.

What to Do if You’re in a Semi-Truck Accident

Regardless of whether a truck is being driven by a computer or a human being, a collision with such a large vehicle can be especially damaging. If you find yourself the victim of a semi-truck accident, the most important thing is to seek immediate medical attention.

Even if you are only clipped by the truck and feel physically fine, you could have suffered internal damage due to the force of the impact. Regardless of your exterior condition, it’s best to get looked at by a doctor.

Once you’ve been assessed and any emergency issues are treated, you should immediately contact a truck accident attorney to discuss the incident and your legal rights in the case. Experienced lawyers like those at Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. will work with you to figure out what happened through liability investigations, determine what your compensation should be, and build a strong case to fight for what you deserve.

Depending upon the facts of the case (medical treatment/condition, parties at fault, insurance coverage, etc.), it can take several months to fully settle a semi-truck lawsuit. With the assistance of good legal counsel, however, you can rest assured that things will be taken care of as quickly as reasonably possible.

For your free consultation to discuss your case with an expert big rig accident attorney, call us 24/7 at (713) 574-5089.