The future is now when it comes to self-driving cars, including in Missouri. Although fully driverless taxis like those provided by Waymo in some cities are not yet available in Missouri, drivers in the state are currently sharing the roadways with a significant number of cars and trucks with autonomous driving capabilities. For this reason, both autonomous vehicle owners and those who share the roads with self-driving cars in Missouri must know the state’s traffic laws for autonomous technology and understand how to navigate the vehicle collision process if an accident occurs.
Understanding Self-Driving Vehicles In Missouri
Many motorists equate self-driving vehicles, or autonomous technology, with driverless cars, but with the exception of the driverless taxis currently available in several U.S. cities, today’s self-driving cars still require drivers. The Missouri legislature has updated the state’s existing laws to redefine autonomous technology. Under Missouri HB1166, the state describes autonomous technology as a vehicle containing the following: “The hardware and software capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task.” Most vehicles with autonomous technology, such as Teslas, Ford’s BlueCruise, and GM’s Super Cruise, are equipped with what’s referred to as Level-2 self-driving technology. They come equipped with self-driving features capable of fully controlling the vehicle, but require a driver in the driver’s seat with their hands on the wheel, ready to take control should the need arise.
What to Know About Missouri’s Self-Driving Vehicle Laws
Fully driverless taxis operated by Waymo are now available in multiple U.S cities, including Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Under Missouri SB811, Missouri law allows for fully self-driving vehicles, should driverless taxi companies, such as Waymo, choose to come to a Missouri City like St. Louis. The law states the following: “This act specifies that operation of vehicles equipped with an automated driving system (ADS) may operate without a conventional human driver present, subject to certain requirements.” The law requires owners of fully self-driving vehicles to sign a financial responsibility statement committing to liability for any damages caused by the vehicle.
Civil Liability In Missouri Self-Driving Vehicle Accidents
Under Missouri 537.765., the state’s laws for car accident victims operates under a pure comparative negligence system. The law states the following: “Any fault chargeable to the plaintiff shall diminish proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages but shall not bar recovery.” This type of fault-based accident law requires investigators to assign a percentage of fault to all involved entities in a car accident. While typically the fault is divided between two drivers, a car with self-driving technology introduces a third-party liability factor. If faulty autonomous technology contributed to the accident, an injury victim may recover compensation through a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer or the software company, depending on the circumstances. Under this law, even if an injury victim contributed to the cause of the accident, they may recover compensation, but the insurance company subtracts the injury victim’s percentage of fault for the accident from the compensation they recover.