Electric vehicles with self-driving features are on the rise in Minnesota. At the start of 2023, there were 34,473 electric cars registered in the state, up from 11,163 in April 2019. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has even launched a self-driving car system called goMARTI (Minnesota’s Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative) in Grand Rapids, offering free, on-demand rides to residents.
Despite the growing use of autonomous vehicles, no specific laws in the state address liability when these cars get into an accident.
Who may be liable for accidents?
In car accidents, liability often falls on the driver. But with self-driving cars, the picture becomes less clear. Potentially liable parties could include:
- The vehicle owner
- The car manufacturer
- The software developer
- The company that maintains the vehicle’s systems
- Other drivers involved in the accident
Minnesota’s comparative fault law – allowing courts to share blame between parties in an accident – may also apply to self-driving car accidents. If a self-driving car and another vehicle crash, the court decides how much each party is at fault. The court then reduces damages based on each party’s fault percentage.
This means that you may recover damages – if you’re 50% or less at fault for the accident – from multiple parties if you receive an injury in an accident like this. However, the court may still reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault, if any.
What factors could influence liability?
Several key factors might affect who is responsible when a self-driving car crashes. These may include:
- How automated the car is
- Whether the human driver followed the proper steps
- If the car had any known problems
Determining who’s at fault in these situations is not straightforward. The newness of self-driving cars makes things even more complicated. If you plan to file a claim for an accident involving these vehicles, an attorney can help guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.
No driver does not mean there was no fault
In self-driving car accidents, liability can lie with manufacturers, software developers or other parties. If you have suffered an injury, you have the right to seek compensation.