Tort Liability for Passenger Transport Accidents Involving Self-Driving Vehicles-

Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract

 Tort liability for passenger transport accidents arises in cases where no contractual relationship exists between the parties to the accident, particularly in light of the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence technologies in the operation of modern vehicles, which has led to a noticeable decline in the human role in the driving process. This development has generated multiple legal challenges, most notably those related to identifying the party liable for accidents involving autonomous vehicles and the complexity of proving fault. This research aims to examine these challenges and to assess the adequacy of the traditional rules of tort liability in addressing damages resulting from accidents involving autonomous vehicles, highlighting the shortcomings of these rules due to the difficulty of attributing fault to a specific person within the context of independent automated decision-making. Moreover, Iraqi legislation currently lacks a specific legal framework governing civil liability for transport accidents involving vehicles operated by artificial intelligence, despite the fact that the future of the transport sector is closely linked to these vehicles, which are becoming increasingly indispensable. Therefore, in order to ensure the safe and effective use of such vehicles, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive legal framework regulating their operation and clearly defining the obligations of the relevant parties.

Keywords: Tort liability, self-driving vehicles, operator, transport accidents.