Montana Autonomous Vehicle Accident Liability: Who Pays When Self-Driving Cars Crash?

When you get hit by a self-driving car or truck in Montana, figuring out who caused the crash is much harder than a normal car accident. Instead of just one driver being at fault, you might be dealing with the car owner, the tech company, the car maker, or even the people who wrote the software.

Studies show that self-driving cars crash less often than regular cars, but accidents still happen. When they do, you’ll face big insurance companies and corporations with lots of lawyers trying to pay you as little as possible. 

Montana law says fault can be split between different parties. With self-driving vehicles, this could mean the human backup driver, the car company, or the business running the fleet all share blame. Each one has different insurance and lawyers, so you need to move quickly to save evidence and protect yourself.

If a self-driving vehicle hurts you in Montana, don’t try to handle these complicated cases by yourself. The Montana car accident lawyers at Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP know how tough these cases can be. We can help find everyone who’s responsible and make sure you get paid fairly for your injuries.

Who Can Be at Fault in Montana Autonomous Vehicle Accidents?

When a self-driving car or autonomous vehicle crashes in Montana, multiple people may share the blame. Montana courts must decide fault among several parties who all played a role in the accident.

The vehicle manufacturer might be responsible if faulty sensors or brakes caused the crash. Software companies face liability when their programs make wrong decisions. Fleet operators like rideshare companies can be at fault for poor vehicle maintenance or inadequate safety training. Even the human safety driver might share blame if they failed to take control when needed.

Vehicle owners also face responsibility under Montana’s motor vehicle liability laws. If someone owns a self-driving car that crashes in Billings or Missoula, they could still be liable even if they weren’t controlling the vehicle at the time.

Safety Standards and Compliance Issues

Autonomous vehicle companies must follow federal safety standards, but Montana also has specific requirements. These vehicles need proper insurance coverage, safety certifications, and regular inspections. When companies cut corners on safety compliance, they face greater liability in Montana courts.

Recent data shows that autonomous vehicles have fewer accidents than human drivers, but the accidents they do cause often involve serious injuries. The technology can fail to recognize road conditions common in Montana, like black ice near Whitefish or construction zones in Butte.

Evidence Collection Challenges

Self-driving vehicle accidents create unique evidence problems. The vehicle’s computer systems record massive amounts of data before and during crashes. This digital evidence can get deleted or becomes unavailable if you don’t act fast.

Montana law requires this evidence to be preserved, but companies might claim technical problems or routine data deletion. Your attorney needs to send preservation letters immediately to prevent the loss of crucial crash data from vehicles involved in accidents anywhere from Anaconda to Miles City.

Insurance Coverage Complications

The whole concept of autonomous vehicles on our roadways is changing quickly, and so will the insurance that attaches to these claims.  Traditional auto insurance may not always cover accidents involving autonomous vehicles. Commercial policies, product liability coverage, and cyber insurance might all apply. Companies often have multiple insurance layers, each with different coverage limits and exclusion clauses.

Montana requires minimum liability coverage, but autonomous vehicle accidents often cause damages that exceed standard policy limits. Identifying all available insurance sources becomes critical for full compensation.

What to Do After an Autonomous Vehicle Accident in Montana

After an accident with an autonomous vehicle in Montana, the steps you take can have a significant impact on your ability to file a claim. If you’re not seriously injured, be sure to take the following steps after the crash:

• Get medical attention immediately, even for minor injuries. 
• Report the crash to Helena police or the appropriate local law enforcement agency.
• If you are able, document everything at the accident scene, including the vehicle’s make, model, and any visible sensors or cameras, company logos.  
• Don’t accept quick settlement offers from insurance companies. These cases often involve much higher damages than traditional car accidents, and companies know most people don’t understand their full legal rights.

The single best step you can take after an autonomous vehicle accident is to call an experienced Montana car crash lawyer immediately. Autonomous vehicle companies have million-dollar legal teams working around the clock to protect their interests. You need someone fighting just as hard for yours.

Contact Our Montana Self-Driving Car Accident Lawyers

Montana law gives you rights against multiple parties in autonomous vehicle accidents, but only an attorney who understands this technology can identify and pursue every source of compensation available to you.

If you’ve been injured in an autonomous vehicle accident anywhere in Montana, contact our accident injury law firm Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar, PLLP at 406.442.7830. Our legal team understands the unique challenges these cases present and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.