Desktop computers. Mobile phones. Wi-Fi. Seemingly almost overnight, these advances in technology have fundamentally transformed the way society operates and functions on a daily basis. However, these and other modern technological developments may pale in comparison to the impact felt in connection with the introduction of autonomous vehicles onto our nation's roadways. Today, the world's leading car makers are racing to build fully autonomous vehicles. The goal for many is to have self-driving cars on the road by 2020. The benefits of this advanced technology will be significant, as autonomous vehicles hope to substantially reduce the number and severity of accidents caused by human error — the primary catalyst for the vast majority of current automobile accidents. However, the benefits will extend well beyond roadway safety to matters such as aiding in traffic congestion and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation systems. The arrival of this new technology is likely to raise an array of unique and thorny legal issues in the years to come. By far the most predominant legal issue concerning the advent of autonomous vehicles pertains to liability for accidents involving self-driving cars. David J. Oberly is an attorney in the Cincinnati office of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin. Contact him at [email protected]. Related: Insuring autonomous vehicles Here's how self-driving cars are already impacting cities and towns Autonomous vehicle technology could shrink auto insurance sector by 71%