If you get hit by a Waymo vehicle in California, you have rights and could be entitled to financial compensation. However, these autonomous vehicle accident cases involve unique laws and legal challenges, including difficult questions of liability (legal and financial responsibility). If you are a victim of a Waymo car accident, you can benefit from contacting a San Francisco Waymo accident attorney for a review of your case.
What Is Waymo?
Waymo is a self-driving vehicle technology company that currently operates a driverless taxi service in select cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. It employs a fleet of “commercial robotaxis” to transport riders who hail rides through an app.
Waymo vehicles do not have drivers or human supervisors. They are entirely autonomous, or self-driven. They operate using 360-degree sensors, pre-mapped data and artificial intelligence to react to changing roadway situations in real-time.
Common Causes of Waymo Accidents
The cause of a Waymo self-driving car accident will determine who can be held liable. In the years that Waymo has been operating vehicles in California, accidents involving these vehicles have been traced back to various causes, including:
- Defective parts
- Software glitches or bugs
- AI mistakes
- Sensor malfunctions
- Mechanical failures
- Sudden acceleration or braking
- Undetected cyclists or pedestrians
- Errors in object recognition
- Traffic law violations
- Construction zones
- Human driver negligence
- Unsafe road conditions
After a Waymo crash in California, an investigation will be conducted to determine the cause. The vehicle’s black box will typically be used, as it collects key data about the vehicle’s operations during the trip. Police reports, eyewitness accounts, video footage and photos may also be used to understand what caused the wreck.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Waymo Crash in California?
Who Pays for a Waymo Crash in California?
In California, drivers have the right to seek damages or financial compensation from the insurance provider of the at-fault party. This is known as a fault-based or tort-based insurance rule. To hold someone responsible for an accident, there must be evidence that they are at fault. Typically, this means evidence of negligence, or the failure to exercise proper care.
In a Waymo accident, liability is a complicated issue. Rather than only having another driver to hold accountable, you may be able to sue Waymo’s parent company (Alphabet Inc.). Waymo can be held responsible for car accidents involving its vehicles in California if there is evidence of product issues, such as software glitches, hardware malfunctions, part defects or a lack of proper testing.
If another company is responsible for designing or manufacturing a defective part in a Waymo vehicle, this party could be held liable instead of (or in addition to) Alphabet Inc. Human third parties can also be at fault, such as an outside driver who runs a red light and strikes the Waymo car while passengers are inside.
How to Seek Justice for a Waymo Crash in California
If you suffer physical injuries, property damage or emotional trauma in a Waymo accident in California, the company or another party may be held liable for your damages. However, determining and proving fault can be an uphill battle. Achieving a fair settlement or judgment award may require assistance from an experienced car accident attorney in San Francisco.