How Can Technological Advancements Impact Personal Injury Claims?

 Posted on April 08, 2025 in Personal Injury

Technology has transformed how we live, travel, and communicate. It is also changing how personal injury accidents occur and how injury claims are pursued. As artificial intelligence (AI), self-driving cars, rideshare apps, and even delivery robots become part of everyday life, accident victims can face unfamiliar legal challenges. Determining fault, gathering evidence, and understanding insurance coverage can become more complicated when advanced technology is involved.

If you have suffered from injuries in an incident that involved these emerging technologies, speak with a knowledgeable California personal injury attorney who can answer questions about who is responsible and how you can get compensation.

What Influence Can Technology Have Over Personal Injury Cases?

Modern personal injury claims can involve a variety of technologies that did not exist before, that can introduce new legal considerations. For example:

Autonomous Vehicles

When a self-driving or semi-autonomous car is involved in a crash, liability may not rest solely with the driver. A software error, sensor failure, or design flaw could indicate that some fault lies with the vehicle manufacturer or technology developer.

AI-Powered Claims Evaluation

Insurance companies increasingly use algorithms to process injury claims and assign fault. These systems can be flawed or biased, potentially leading to unfair claim denials or reduced settlement offers.

Wearable Devices and Surveillance Data

Fitness trackers, dashcams, and traffic camera footage can play an important role in helping prove or dispute personal injury claims. However, their data needs to be carefully interpreted and introduced properly in court.

Rideshare and Micro-mobility Services

Injuries involving rideshare vehicles, app-based scooters, and delivery drones raise questions about whether liability rests with the operator, the platform, a third-party provider, or a combination.

Since California law follows a comparative fault model in personal injury cases, a lawyer will need to review the details to determine who all the responsible parties are and what degree of fault can be assigned to each.

What Damages Are Common in Tech-Related Injury Claims?

Victims of technology-related accidents may be entitled to recover a range of damages, including:

• Medical Expenses: Your hospital bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and future treatment costs could be covered.

• Lost Wages: This category aims to compensate you for any Income that was lost due to time away from work, as well as reduced earning potential in the future.

• Pain and Suffering: This includes compensation for physical as well as emotional pain, and any harm to your quality of life resulting from the accident.

• Property Damage: These damages cover repairs or replacements of damaged vehicles or other personal property.

• Punitive Damages: In cases where negligence involves willful misconduct or a known defect, the responsible party might also be required to pay you additional damages as a punishment.

An attorney can help assess which of these damages apply and pursue the maximum available compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Santa Clara County, CA Personal Injury Lawyer

As technology continues to evolve, so will the complexities of personal injury law. If you have been injured in an accident involving autonomous vehicles, AI systems, or other advanced technologies, do not navigate the claims process alone. Let an experienced San Jose, CA personal injury attorney pursue justice and fair compensation on your behalf.

Our firm brings over 45 years of experience in California personal injury law and handles every case on a contingency fee basis—meaning you do not pay unless we win your case for you. Call Law Office of John J. Garvey, III at 408-293-7777 to schedule your free consultation today.