Determining the Range of Persons Liable for Harm Caused by a Highly Automated Vehicle

The paper is devoted to determining the range of persons liable for harm caused by highly automated vehicles (HAVs) in the context of the rapid development of autonomous technologies. The author analyzes key aspects of civil, tort, and administrative liability arising in connection with the operation of HAVs, paying special attention to the technological specifics that complicate traditional mechanisms for establishing guilt and causation. The paper examines the evolution of statutory regulation in Russia, including experimental legal regimes and the draft federal law on HAVs. The necessity of expanding the range of liable persons by including not only the owner and manufacturer, but also software developers, digital infrastructure providers and telecom operators is substantiated. Special emphasis is given to the differentiation of responsibility depending on the level of automation (according to the SAE classification), where a special mechanism for allocating responsibility is proposed for levels 4‑5. The author also explores alternative models such as joint liability and the creation of a compensation fund, emphasizing the need for a balance between protecting the rights of victims and stimulating technological progress. In conclusion, it is determined that the legislation is insufficiently adapted to the specifics of HAVs, and ways to improve it are proposed. 

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