Even if the liability does fall on the big players (imo it probably will) and autonomous cars are no safer than a 17 year old, at 10x that is only a few thousan

Even if the liability does fall on the big players (imo it probably will) and autonomous cars are no safer than a 17 year old, at 10x that is only a few thousand a month in insurable liability - or much less than the cost of paying a cab driver a living wage + benefits. Never mind that autonomous driving, once technically 'solved', is going to be a socioeconomic freight train that will have the resources to lobby and favorably influence legislation and judicial judgements.