A method for triggering self-braking in a motor vehicle, in which following a first collision during an accident a self-braking request signal is transmitted to a brake controller by a collision sensor unit by a communications device of the motor vehicle. The multi-collision braking requested should be initiated in the event of damage to the brake controller that is caused by the first collision. The request signal is received by a control device of the motor vehicle that is disposed at a distance from the brake controller. The control device then determines whether the brake controller responds to the request signal. If no response of the brake controller is detected, the self-braking is initiated by the control device.