Imagine you're riding in a car that’s marketed to assist you, maybe even drive for you. It's late, you're on a quiet road, and the car is supposed to handle the basics: slow down, brake, and alert you. But in an instant, none of that happens. The car misses a stop sign. There’s no warning. And a crash leaves lives forever changed.

This isn't fiction. It's exactly what happened in a high-profile case in Florida, where a young woman was killed and her boyfriend was severely injured when a Tesla, in Autopilot mode, slammed into their parked car. The driver admitted he was distracted, but a jury still found Tesla responsible. Why? Because their technology failed, and they didn’t tell the whole truth about it.

That case resulted in a $243 million verdict, a warning shot to every company building self-driving cars. And it showed the public what happens when technology gets ahead of accountability.

What Makes Self-Driving Car Accident Claims Complicated?

Crashes involving driver-assist or autonomous technology aren’t just about bad driving — they’re about bad decisions from companies that design, market, and control these systems.

What came out in the Tesla case is important for anyone hurt by one of these vehicles:

The company denied having data that showed what the car was doing before the crash.

It took forensic experts to prove they had it all along.

Tesla blamed the driver, even though the driver said he trusted the system to stop the car.

The jury disagreed. They said the car failed and the company shared responsibility.

The crash happened on a rural road where the Autopilot feature shouldn’t have been used.

Tesla allowed it anyway.

These facts matter because they show just how far a company might go to avoid responsibility — and why you need a legal team that knows how to uncover what really happened.

What Is a Self-Driving Car Accident Case Worth?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number. But here’s what typically factors into the value of a case:

1. The Severity of Your Injuries: In the Tesla case, the young woman was thrown 75 feet. Her boyfriend suffered a traumatic brain injury and ongoing pain. When injuries are life-changing or permanent, the value of your case increases, not just for your medical care, but for everything you lose along the way.

2. Medical Bills and Ongoing Care: You can recover costs for hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and even long-term home care.

3. Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity: If you can't return to your job — or your ability to work is limited — you can be compensated for the income you’ve already lost and what you would have earned in the future.

4. Pain and Suffering: These cases take a toll on more than your bank account. You deserve compensation for the emotional and physical trauma that follows a serious wreck.

In the Florida case, the jury awarded not just compensatory damages, but $200 million in punitive damages, meant to punish the company for what they did and send a message to the entire industry.

Why You Need Witherite Law Group on Your Side

Self-driving car accident cases aren't like normal car wrecks. You're not just dealing with an insurance company, you're potentially taking on a multi-billion-dollar corporation with engineers, lawyers, and PR teams all trying to spin the story their way. That’s where we come in.

Witherite Law Group is built to handle the big cases. When evidence is buried, when the facts are complicated, when a company won’t take responsibility — we know how to dig, how to fight, and how to win. We offer:

  • Decades of experience with serious wrecks
  • A full team ready to investigate and gather the facts
  • 24/7 bilingual support for our clients
  • No up-front fees, and we don’t get paid unless you do

We’re not intimidated by size. We’re not impressed by money. If someone failed to protect you, we’ll hold them accountable.

Talk to a Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you've been hurt in a crash involving a self-driving car or driver-assist system, now is the time to act.

Call Witherite Law Group today. Our legal team is standing by to review your case, explain your options, and go after the justice you deserve. We’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on healing.

These companies say their cars are smart. But when the technology fails and people get hurt, they need to be held responsible. We’re here to make sure that happens.

Your case matters. Your life matters. Let’s get to work. Get real expertise on your side today.