Waymo may be at the forefront of the self-driving vehicle trend with completely driverless cars operating in San Francisco – but the absence of a human driver doesn’t mean these rides are safe. In fact, Waymo is responsible for more reported collisions in California than any other brand of autonomous vehicle.
If you’ve been injured in a Waymo accident in the Bay Area, the experienced San Francisco auto accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can guide you through your claim to seek the justice you deserve. Call (415) 855-4289 to speak to an experienced autonomous vehicle accident lawyer at no cost or obligation.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers After a San Francisco Waymo Accident?
- While we always fight for maximum compensation, our first goal is to help clients achieve healthy recoveries. We connect our clients to the best-suited doctors and providers in San Francisco to aid in their path to healing.
- Our team understands the unique complexities and nuances of Waymo accident cases. We have been successfully handling autonomous vehicle accident claims in California since the advent of self-driving technology.
- We take Waymo accident cases on a contingency fee basis – you won’t pay us unless we win. Our San Francisco Waymo accident lawyers in San Francisco don’t charge a dime in fees until our clients make full financial recoveries.
The Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Autonomous Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Unlike a standard car accident case in San Francisco, Waymo accidents involve fully self-driving or autonomous vehicles. This means that rather than having another driver to hold accountable, your claim will most likely be against a company or corporation.
Your case may involve issues such as software glitches, sensor malfunctions and product liability laws rather than driver error. An attorney with experience handling autonomous vehicle accident cases will know how to navigate related California laws, determine who is liable and negotiate for maximum compensation through the proper channels.
Your San Francisco Waymo accident lawyer can carefully investigate your crash to determine its cause. From there, a lawyer can name one or more defendants and file an insurance claim on your behalf. You can trust an attorney to aggressively negotiate a fair settlement with an insurance claims adjuster. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can go to court.
What Makes Waymo Accidents Unique?
Fully driverless Waymo vehicles traverse the streets of San Francisco daily to provide commercial ride-hailing services. Waymo’s fleet of autonomous vehicles offers 24/7 transportation around the city to paying riders. These vehicles navigate to the streets using a variety of LiDAR sensors, radars, cameras, autonomous technology and artificial intelligence.
Due to the fact that Waymo vehicles are self-driven and do not have human drivers – or even human supervisors inside the vehicle, in most cases – accident claims involving Waymo cars are unique. They come with special California laws and regulations, safety requirements, corporate liability, multiple at-fault parties, and special types of evidence.
Who Pays for a Waymo Accident in San Francisco?
Liability, or legal and financial responsibility, for a Waymo accident in San Francisco depends on the cause of the crash. Since California is an at-fault car insurance state, it is necessary to determine who or what caused the crash before an insurance claim can be filed against the correct party/ies.
In a Waymo collision, this could be:
- Waymo (or the owner, Alphabet Inc.)
- An autonomous vehicle software engineer
- A vehicle part or equipment manufacturer
- Another driver
- An employer or company
- A government agency
An attorney from Jacoby & Meyers can investigate your car, bicycle or pedestrian accident in San Francisco to understand who is at fault. Then, we can complete confusing paperwork and start gathering evidence to bring an injury claim against these defendant(s) on your behalf.
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Can I Sue Waymo for an Accident Involving One of Its Vehicles?
Yes, Waymo can often be sued directly for accidents involving its vehicles since the company is responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure the safety of its self-driving cars. This duty involves complying with California’s laws and permits, commercial insurance requirements, and safety regulations.
Any failure to meet the duty of care is “negligence,” and can expose Waymo to liability for a related car accident. Since Waymo cars don’t have human drivers, Waymo is legally viewed as the “operator” of the vehicle. This means Waymo can absorb liability for a crash that occurs when the vehicle is driving itself.
Common Causes of Waymo Accidents
Waymo may seem like a safer option compared to traditional ridesharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, since it eliminates driver error, but it exposes passengers and the public to a range of new accident and injury risks. Common causes of Waymo accidents include:
- Sensor failures
- Hardware malfunctions
- Mechanical failures
- Part defects
- Software glitches
- Engineering problems
- Unexpected braking
- Road defects or faded/missing paint
- Construction zones or detours
- Complex urban environments
- Near-misses
- Ignored school bus signals
- Failure to obey SFPD officer directions
- Outside driver errors
- Bad weather
A Waymo crash can inflict serious, catastrophic and even fatal injuries on victims – especially when the victim is a vulnerable bicyclist or pedestrian. It’s important for Waymo accident victims to learn their options for making a financial recovery by contacting a San Francisco Waymo accident attorney without delay.
How Much Can I Get for a Waymo Accident in California?
The answer to this question depends on the individual circumstances surrounding your claim. Car accident case values change according to the severity of the victim’s injuries, the cost of medical care, the insurance coverage available and many other factors.
In general, you may be able to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and earnings
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Motor vehicle or personal property damage
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages, in some cases
At Jacoby & Meyers, our case managers, attorneys and team members will work together to prepare your legal claim and pursue maximum compensation for your losses. Our experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyers will provide you with the guidance and compassion you need during this difficult time.
Contact Our San Francisco Waymo Accident Attorneys Today
Dealing with a Waymo accident case can be challenging in multiple ways. Luckily, you have the right to hire a San Francisco personal injury lawyer to represent you – a choice that can make an enormous difference to the outcome of your accident claim.
At Jacoby & Meyers, our attorneys will make sure you fully understand your legal rights, recovery options and insurance possibilities as a Waymo accident victim. Our experienced San Francisco Waymo accident attorneys can help you pursue the full coverage available with personalized legal services.
Discuss your recent Waymo car accident with a local attorney today. Contact us online or call (415) 855-4289 to request your free case consultation.