Abstract
In recent years, autonomous vehicles have attracted much attention. While such vehicles will have an immense potential in increasing traffic safety, they will be involved in traffic accidents. In Chapter 2, the term autonomous vehicle is defined, positively and negatively. Further, it is sought to shed light on the social impact of autonomous vehicles. Also, some challenges that they will pose are discussed, particularly some profound legal problems in various areas of the law. In Chapter 3, it is analysed how the general tort principle under Icelandic law may be applied to autonomous vehicles. Although the practical impact of the principle is rather limited in the context of autonomous vehicles, it acts as a vital fall-back provision, when other legal instruments fail to instruct on liability. Chapter 4 addresses the application of the liability regime of the Icelandic Traffic Act to autonomous vehicles. A comparison to Norwegian law is given to a certain extent. While some aspects of the Icelandic regime may be applied to autonomous vehicles, other provisions give arise to challenging interpretational problems, when applied to autonomous vehicles. In some respect, the corresponding Norwegian law is better apt for regulating tort liability in the context of autonomous vehicles. Chapter 5 examines how the Icelandic Product Liability Act is to be applied to autonomous vehicles. Particularly, it is sought to answer who may be held liable in tort under the instrument and on which grounds. As it is a central condition for product liability that a product is defective, it is vital to establish whether autonomous vehicles and their components may be construed as a product under the instrument and when they are to be considered defective . Practical challenges on the burden of proof are also observed. In Chapter 6, it is discussed whether the liability regime of the Icelandic Motorway Act is to be extended to the providers of facilitating services for autonomous vehicles. It is found that the regime may apply to municipalities and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, if they operate supportive technological infrastructure for autonomous vehicles. However, third parties providing such services will not be held liable under the regime through the application of a legal analogy. Chapter 7 explains the interplay between the legal instruments discussed in the thesis. As a general principle, multiple parties may be held liable in solidum, given that the incident in question is the subject of the respective instrument.