Residents of communities in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas have grown accustomed to seeing Waymo vehicles on their local roads. Now, they’re headed to Sacramento. While feelings about these new self-driving vehicles vary, most people appreciate that this new technology raises new questions, particularly about accidents involving Waymo vehicles.
As the law around self-driving vehicles like Waymo’s takes shape, the team at Demas Law Group is proud to stand with those harmed in collisions with these new cars. Contact our office for a free consultation with an experienced Waymo car accident lawyer.
What Is Waymo and How Its Vehicles Operate
Waymo is a self-driving car company that began as a project within Google and now operates under Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company.
The company has developed autonomous vehicles that use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar to perceive their surroundings and make driving decisions in real time. Waymo’s technology is designed to operate without human intervention. It is currently being tested and deployed in various cities, including some in California.
Waymo vehicles operate using a system called the Waymo Driver. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to navigate traffic, obey traffic laws, detect hazards, and respond to changing road conditions.
How Waymo Car Accidents Differ from Traditional Crashes
Waymo car accidents are unique because they involve autonomous technology rather than human drivers. As a result, determining fault becomes a more complex process involving a deep analysis of software behavior, sensor data, and vehicle logs. This means that, unlike typical accidents, driver negligence is not a factor. Instead, liability may involve software errors, system malfunctions, or failures in machine-learning judgment.
Common Causes of Waymo Self-Driving Car Accidents
Although Waymo vehicles are engineered to reduce accidents caused by human error, they aren’t immune to collisions. The following factors can contribute to crashes involving autonomous vehicles, whether due to internal system issues or external road conditions:
- Sensor or camera malfunctions
- Software glitches or algorithm errors
- Unexpected pedestrian or cyclist behavior
- Human drivers cutting off or rear-ending Waymo vehicles
- Poorly marked roads
- Inadequate responses to emergency vehicles
- Construction zones or road debris
- Misinterpretation of traffic signals or signs
Who Is Liable in a Waymo Accident?
Accidents involving Waymo vehicles raise unique liability questions because there’s no human driver responsible for the crash. Instead, liability may rest with the technology itself or with those who design, maintain, or interact with it. To determine fault, a Waymo accident attorney must secure expert analysis of digital logs, software behavior, and third-party actions.
Depending on the circumstances, one or more of the following parties may be held liable:
- Waymo (or its parent company, Alphabet Inc.)
- The vehicle manufacturer
- Software developers or subcontractors
- Human drivers of other vehicles
- Pedestrians or cyclists
- Vehicle maintenance contractors
- Government entities responsible for road design or signage
Laws Governing Autonomous Vehicles
As companies began developing driverless technology, California lawmakers were compelled to start putting a legal framework in place to regulate these vehicles.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees the testing and deployment of self-driving cars on public roads. Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies must obtain permits and meet strict safety and reporting requirements to operate in California.
Additionally, under California law, autonomous vehicles must be capable of complying with all traffic laws, even when operating without a human driver. Manufacturers must also carry adequate insurance and file accident reports.
As technology evolves, so must the law. We can expect to see further changes to state law that provide additional clarity on liability in the event of an autonomous vehicle collision.
What to Do After a Waymo Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a crash with a Waymo vehicle (or as a Waymo passenger), your top priorities should be to seek medical attention and contact an experienced self-driving car accident lawyer. Because autonomous vehicle law is still so new and evolving, these cases involve complex questions and concerns. A skilled attorney can help you preserve crucial data, investigate the vehicle’s operation, and determine who may be responsible.
Don’t rely on assumptions – self-driving cars operate under a new legal framework. By reaching out to a lawyer promptly, you are taking steps to protect your chances of securing fair compensation and avoiding missteps in this rapidly evolving legal area.
Compensation Available in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
The compensation you might be entitled to after a collision involving a Waymo or other self-driving car depends on the facts of the case, particularly the nature and severity of your injuries. This may include compensation for both economic (financial) and non-economic (personal) losses. A California autonomous vehicle accident attorney can review the facts and calculate the amount that would represent full compensation for the harm the accident caused you.
How Demas Law Group Handles Waymo Accident Claims
The legal, technical, and insurance challenges that come with a self-driving car accident can very easily become overwhelming. However, the good news is that hiring a lawyer after a Waymo accident means you don’t have to take on any of this alone.
Demas Law Group will handle every part of the claims process so you can focus on recovery. Our award-winning legal team takes a proactive, thorough approach to these complex cases by:
- Investigating the scene and obtaining relevant evidence, including video and sensor data
- Reviewing Waymo’s operational logs and software behavior
- Consulting with accident reconstruction and technology experts
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Calculating your losses, including long-term medical costs and lost earning capacity
- Handling all communication with insurers and other parties
- Preparing for litigation if we don’t receive a fair settlement offer
Demas Law Group represents clients involved in Waymo accidents at no financial risk to the injured. The initial consultation is always free, and we collect no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
Injured in Sacramento? Contact Our Waymo Car Accident Lawyers Today
Were you injured as a Waymo passenger or otherwise involved in a collision involving a self-driving car? Turn to the team at Demas Law Group for the legal support you need. Contact us today for a free, fully confidential initial consultation and learn what an experienced Waymo self-driving car accident lawyer can do for you.
