Were You Injured in a Waymo Car Accident?

Waymo is now located in Miami, Florida

Autonomous vehicles once seemed like something that would happen decades in the future, but today they’re operating on roads across the country. An autonomous vehicle is a car that uses a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, lidar, artificial intelligence, and software to navigate roads and perform driving tasks without a human driver controlling the vehicle. Waymo operates fully autonomous vehicles, meaning its cars can drive without a human operator in the driver’s seat.

Companies like Waymo have fleets of self-driving cars in major cities, including Miami. Waymo’s goal is to reduce human error and make roads safer, but autonomous vehicles still rely on complex technology, and technology isn’t perfect. Software problems can occur, other drivers can be unpredictable, and challenging conditions such as heavy rain can test even advanced autonomous driving systems. So what happens if Waymo’s technology fails and you’re injured in an accident?

What Happens After a Waymo Accident in Miami?

When you’re injured in a “traditional” car crash, you exchange insurance information with the other driver. But when a self-driving car is in an accident, there isn't a human driver to exchange information with, so if Waymo causes an accident, determining liability can be complex. This is why it’s important to talk to a Miami car accident attorney at Kushel Law Group so we can immediately start investigating the crash and make sure your rights are protected.

Who’s Liable if You’re Injured by a Self-Driving Vehicle?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the injured party may be able to pursue a claim against Waymo, a product manufacturer, or potentially Alphabet Inc., Waymo’s parent company. 

Waymo depends on their advanced software programs, cameras, sensors, and other technology to navigate the road. If the automated driving system malfunctioned or failed and caused a car accident, Waymo could potentially be held liable for injuries and damages. 

Under Florida’s product liability law, a manufacturer or seller may be held liable when a defective or unsafe product causes injury or damage. Florida law legally considers an automated driving system as the vehicle’s operator when it’s actively controlling the vehicle under the state’s motor vehicle laws. Florida also requires these autonomous ride-hailing vehicles to carry at least $1M in liability coverage, plus PIP and Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM).

If another driver’s negligence causes a Waymo to crash, that driver may be at-fault. Waymo vehicles are equipped with cameras and sophisticated sensors that can capture detailed information about the vehicle’s surroundings and what happened leading up to the crash and during a collision. This data provides valuable evidence when determining how an accident occurred and whether the other driver was negligent. However, if another driver swerves to avoid an autonomous vehicle operating erratically, fault becomes more complicated. The accident will be investigated by your lawyer and Waymo’s lawyers to determine whether the software behaved unpredictably, and if that’s the cause of the crash.

Self-Driving Vehicle Safety Concerns

Engineers program these vehicles to follow traffic laws and avoid collisions, but they also program them to make split-second choices during unavoidable accidents or road conditions. The question is, how does the software decide what choice it should make? 

As autonomous vehicles become more common on public roads, questions are emerging about how these systems make decisions in potentially life-threatening situations. Because passengers and drivers of other vehicles don’t know how the AI chooses actions in critical situations, there is growing pressure for ethical accountability, transparency, and oversight to ensure these vehicles operate safely and responsibly.

Pedestrian & Passenger Safety

While Waymo tests its vehicles in controlled environments, city streets present unpredictable conditions and situations that can’t fully be replicated during testing. Companies that build self-driving vehicles have an ethical responsibility to prioritize public safety because regulations, liability laws, and safety standards hold them accountable if their vehicles are unsafe.

‍What Steps Should you Take if You’re Injured or Hit by a Waymo?

If you’re injured in an accident involving a Waymo or another self-driving vehicle in Miami, here are the steps to take after the crash.

Prioritize Your Safety

• Check yourself for injuries.
• If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic.
• If your vehicle is drivable, move it off the road when safe.

Call 911

• Call 911 and request police and medical assistance.
• A police report can document important details and provide valuable evidence for an insurance claim or personal injury case.

Document & Collect Evidence

• Get names and contact information for witnesses.
• Take photos of the vehicles and scene.
• Document road and weather conditions.
• Photograph any visible injuries.
• Save your Waymo ride receipt and screenshot your trip details.

Seek Medical Attention

• Get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine.
• Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Prompt medical care also creates a record connecting your injuries to the accident.

Report the Accident to Waymo

• Notify Waymo about the accident if you were a passenger or were injured by a Waymo vehicle.
• Use the in-car support button, call 1-877-503-0840, or report the accident online.
• Stick to the facts and avoid speculation when describing what happened.

Waymo Self-Driving Attorney in Miami?

Taking on a tech company after an accident can be very challenging and complex. Companies like Waymo have substantial resources and experienced insurers working to protect their interests and minimize payouts. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help level the playing field and protect your right to pursue fair compensation. If you’ve been injured by a Waymo, contact Kushel Law Group immediately so that we can send the company a spoliation letter. This letter is a formal notice sent to defendants to prevent them from destroying evidence and preserving all data related to your accident. 

Our office is located in Boca Raton, but we also represent clients in Miami, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas. Our attorneys have recovered millions in compensation for clients. You don’t pay unless we win! Call us 24/7 at 561-940-0100 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation. 

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FAQs

Who is responsible in a Waymo accident?

Waymo could be held liable if a defect or failure in its autonomous driving system caused the accident, but fault may be shared between multiple parties depending on the circumstances.

How long do I have to file a claim in Florida after a Waymo accident?‍

The deadline depends on the type of claim, so it’s important to speak with an attorney at Kushel Law Group as soon as possible.

Who pays for my injuries if my Waymo is in an accident?

If you’re injured in an accident involving a Waymo vehicle, Florida's PIP and other insurance coverage could cover medical bills, lost wages, and other injury-related damages. If another driver contributed to the crash, their auto insurance may cover part of your injuries.