Most people think of Tesla when they hear “autopilot,” but makers of cars involved in autonomous vehicle crashes include GM’s Super Cruise, Ford’s BlueCruise, and Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot. They all allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel under certain conditions. When these systems fail — or when drivers misuse them and cause a crash — an autonomous vehicle crash attorney Florida victims need can pursue claims under both traditional negligence law and product liability.
How These Systems Work and Where They Fail
Semi-autonomous systems are not the same as full self-driving technology. They are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) designed to handle steering and speed on mapped highway segments while a driver remains alert and ready to take control. GM Super Cruise uses infrared cameras to monitor driver eye movements. Ford BlueCruise uses a camera to detect whether the driver is watching the road. Mercedes Drive Pilot goes further, claiming SAE Level 3 status — meaning the system, not the driver, takes full legal responsibility for driving when it is engaged in certain conditions.
In autonomous vehicle crashes, the problems arise in three ways. First, the technology malfunctions. Sensors misread lane markings, fail in rain or low light, or lose track of the road. Second, drivers over-trust the system and stop paying attention — sometimes sleeping or using their phone while the car steers itself. Third, other drivers on the road are not aware they are sharing space with a vehicle in autonomous mode and do not adjust accordingly.
NHTSA’s Standing General Order on Crash Reporting requires manufacturers to report crashes involving ADAS systems within one day if there was a fatality, and within 10 days for any crash with an airbag deployment or hospital admission. This data shows that as of early 2026, more than 5,200 autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle incidents have been reported nationally. These are not rare events.
Who Is Liable in a Florida Autonomous Vehicle Crash?
Florida Statute § 316.85 governs autonomous vehicles in Florida. It defines the “operator” as the person who causes the autonomous technology to engage — regardless of whether they are physically present or actively controlling the vehicle. This matters because it shifts some liability back to the driver who activated the system. But it does not eliminate the manufacturer’s responsibility.
Under Florida product liability law, if a semi-autonomous system was defective — whether in design, manufacturing, or the adequacy of its warnings — the manufacturer can be held liable for injuries that result. You do not have to prove the company was careless. You have to prove the product was unreasonably dangerous when used as intended. That is a meaningful distinction when the driver activated a system the manufacturer marketed as safe for hands-free highway driving.
Autonomous vehicle crashes often involve both theories at once. A driver who ignored system alerts and failed to take over may be partially at fault. The manufacturer whose system gave false confidence or failed without adequate warning may also bear liability. Orlando car accident attorneys who handle ADAS crash cases work with accident reconstruction experts and automotive engineers to determine what the system was doing at the moment of impact.
What Evidence Matters in These Cases
If you were hit by a vehicle that was in a semi-autonomous mode at the time of the crash, you need legal action quickly to preserve that data. Personal injury attorneys can send evidence preservation letters to manufacturers and insurance companies immediately. If you were a passenger in a vehicle that crashed while in autonomous mode, or if another driver’s system failed and caused your accident, you may have claims against both the driver and the automaker. Truck accident attorneys at our firm also handle cases involving semi-autonomous commercial vehicles, which present their own set of liability issues under federal motor carrier law.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.
