What was once only a dream of the future has become reality in California, where driverless taxis are now a common sight in major urban areas. Waymo is a self-driving taxi company licensed to operate in California. Waymo vehicles feature the latest in autonomous vehicle technology and don’t require a driver. Unfortunately, Waymo technology isn’t yet perfect. When a software glitch, sensor defect, or data interpretation problem occurs in a Waymo, it’s not the same as a glitch in a video game. Instead, the results can be a serious car accident with painful, debilitating, or deadly injuries.
What Causes Waymo Taxi Accidents In California?
Crash data for autonomous vehicles indicates an alarming 915 accidents involving self-driving vehicles between 2014 and 2025. The first step to determining liability for a Waymo crash is investigating the accident to determine the cause. Waymo accidents may be caused by any one of the following:
- Another driver
- A hazardous road condition
- Faulty Waymo vehicle sensors
- Faulty Waymo cameras
- Waymo software glitches
- Defective components
- A problem with Waymo’s interpretation of sensor data or the speed of its interpretation
- Inappropriate reaction to traffic data
- Mechanical problems and tire blowouts
In a fault-based car accident state like California, with pure comparative negligence laws under California Civil Code – CIV § 1714, a California car accident victim may file a claim against any and all parties who caused or contributed to the car accident.
Liability In Waymo Accident Claims
If another driver or a negligent road-maintenance agency wasn’t responsible for the crash, but instead the Waymo taxi caused the accident, there are several potentially liable parties, depending on which part of the vehicle’s sensors, cameras, programming, or mechanics caused the crash. Common liable parties in Waymo accidents in California cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco include the following:
- The Waymo company
- An autonomous technology software company
- The manufacturer of a defective sensor, camera, or car part
Rarely, a Waymo passenger could be liable for damages to other motorists if they hit the emergency stop button in traffic, blocked a camera or sensor, or intentionally interfered with the car’s operation.
Recovering Damages In a California Waymo Accident
Car accidents sometimes have far more consequences to the victims’ lives than just property damage; they may also result in physical injuries and emotional trauma. In the worst cases, a Waymo accident could cause a loved one’s wrongful death in Los Angeles. After a Waymo accident, the Waymo company, its insurance company, and the Waymo accident victim’s attorney all conduct independent investigations into all aspects of the accident to determine liability. Then, the injury victim files a claim to recover common damages, such as medical expenses, out-of-pocket costs, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering, catastrophic injury, or wrongful death.
Proving liability for a Waymo accident takes an experienced investigation with access to key resources, including autonomous technology experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and medical experts. A Los Angeles Waymo accident lawyer from Martinian Lawyers is a strong ally to protect an injury victim’s best interests after a Waymo accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
