Driver+/Autonomy cannot be trusted in heavy traffic – just got into an accident with a slow merging truck

[rivian-or-die]

2025 Gen2 R1S in California on latest software.

I had Driver+/Autonomy engaged during heavy traffic that was moving at about 5-10 mph. I then took my eyes off the road and shortly after was met with a strong jolt as if I had hit a wall to my front-right. To my horror, some work truck tried to slow merge into my lane and I had hit its side. Any human driver would have seen the truck merging in due to the slow speeds and yielded to avoid an accident, but after reviewing the incident video, Rivian's Driver+/Autonomy kept driving forward even as the truck began its merge. It's like it didn't even see the truck since it wasn't completely in the lane yet. And the anti-collision feature didn't even activate.

Front right quarter panel is wrecked and ugly along with other scratches and dings – vehicle still seems to drive fine at least. I'm so mad at myself for placing that much trust into the system. I suppose I also had the assumption that the vehicle would at least brake hard if it was about to collide with something while in Autonomy, which didn't happen. I have the incident video that I can PM to anyone that's interested.

Any chance that Rivian has liability in this scenario?

EDIT: I accept that it was my fault in the end. I will try to get the incident video to Rivian in hopes of at least helping them improve the system

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[Donald Stanfield]

No chance Rivian has liability as there are numerous warnings that you must continue to pay attention to the road. With that said, I appreciate this story as I have done the same thing myself a few times in slow traffic and I assumed the system would be able to handle it. This should not have happened to you and it's clear the system failed but you will be held 100% responsible for this unfortunately.

 

[JamboF4]

Can’t wait for this one!

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Can’t wait for this one!

I don't think it will be that bad. OP is asking if Rivian shares any liability here; they didn't write anything super entitled and whiny like some of the posts. I can see why they'd ask, as I would assume an ADAS system should be able to handle any situation in this slow of traffic but all manufacturers of these systems stress that they are ASSISTANCE devices and the operator is still liable for the vehicle.

 

[cohall]

Rivian has 0% liability. You are in charge of operating the vehicle in a safe manner and being aware of your surroundings. If you had your eyes off the road long enough for a truck to “slowly” merge into you, that‘s 100% on you.

Your only hope is that the insurance company for the truck that merged into you takes responsibility once you provide the driver cam video of the incident.

 

[rivian-or-die]

I don't think it will be that bad. OP is asking if Rivian shares any liability here; they didn't write anything super entitled and whiny like some of the posts. I can see why they'd ask, as I would assume an ADAS system should be able to handle any situation in this slow of traffic but all manufacturers of these systems stress that they are ASSISTANCE devices and the operator is still liable for the vehicle.

Thanks, appreciate that. I posted it mainly as a PSA to anyone that is using Driver+/Autonomy to not let their guard down, even in slow moving traffic.

I accept that it's my fault in the end but just had to ask

 

[Zoidz]

Any chance that Rivian has liability in this scenario?

Jeeez man. You know the answer to this question, or you should. Rivian tells you in the manual, and state driving laws require you to be in control of your vehicle at all times. This is 100% on you.

 

[DrBad]

The car merging into a lane is responsible for judging whether there's proper space to merge so is generally at fault unless the driver of the car in the lane being merged into was violating the law in some way, like speeding or reckless driving. Now, if you've admitted that you had it on autonomous driving and weren't paying attention, that could be inattentive driving, which could make things interesting.

 

[COdogman]

I am really sorry this happened, but there is no ADAS system that should be trusted enough to take your eyes off the road. Rivian even warns you to be ready to take control at all times.

From your description of the incident the truck that hit you might be liable, but that also depends on if you were slightly behind their truck or in front.

 

[carsly]

can you share the video? just wondering how long this merge --> accident took

 

[runwithscissors]

Gen1 yesterday in HOV lane on highway veered towards the staggered concrete barrier but it's done it before on other sections and I always have my hands on the wheel. Of course it cancelled Driver+ and I was luckily ready for it but the feeling really sucks and makes me not trust it in the HOV lane. My concern is for new EV drivers that would definitely not be ready for that situation after being sold on Driver+ despite being told to always control the wheel. It's not a subtle pull towards the object, it's pretty harsh from my experiences.

 

[rraj2k81]

Thanks, appreciate that. I posted it mainly as a PSA to anyone that is using Driver+/Autonomy to not let their guard down, even in slow moving traffic.

I accept that it's my fault in the end but just had to ask

Are you sure it's your fault. You were in the lane and the truck merged into your lane. I am not sure about your local traffic laws, but seems like the merging truck did not yield for you as you have right of way in your lane.

Unless your traffic laws have definite rules that require you to yield for merging vehicles, the truck that hit you should be at 100% fault regardless of circumstance.

 

[M3_R2]

Even with Tesla's FSD package, I don't trust it to behave properly with merging traffic let alone become disengaged and not be paying attention. Until you know any autonomous driving software is capable of acting in a highly predictable manner in the exact same situations...you don't and should have zero trust.

 

[rivian-or-die]

can you share the video? just wondering how long this merge --> accident took

Just DM'd you

 

[JamboF4]

Thanks, appreciate that. I posted it mainly as a PSA to anyone that is using Driver+/Autonomy to not let their guard down, even in slow moving traffic.

I accept that it's my fault in the end but just had to ask

100% supportive of your PSA sentiment, but the ques about Rivian liability opened Pandora’s Box. Perhaps a delete edit?

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