Injured In a Car Accident with Waymo? Your Legal Options Explained
Driverless cars in California and across the country
Driverless cars are a common sight on California roads nowadays, particularly in tech-forward areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco. One of the most prominent companies is Waymo. Operating robotaxi services across more than 10 major metropolitan areas in the United States, Waymo is delivering approximately 500,000 paid rides per week across the country, with an active fleet of about 4,000 vehicles.
Waymo has established a massive and rapidly growing commercial presence in Los Angeles, operating a fleet of about 900 robotaxis. It has also recently secured regulatory approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand its boundaries outward.
Waymo incidents on the rise
The rise in the use of driverless cars unfortunately brings with it a downside, which is the increase in incidents involving these so-called independent vehicles. Accidents involving driverless cars are raising new legal and ethical questions, leaving many wondering who is responsible when these high-tech machines are involved in collisions.
In Los Angeles County alone, Waymo accidents have tripled from 2024 to 2025, with numbers rising again in 2026. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported Waymo incidents involving:
- Pedestrian collisions, including minor children in a school zone
- Trapped passengers
- Wrong way traffic
- Running red lights
- Entering closed construction zones
- Failing to yield to school buses
- Abrupt halting in traffic
As a result, Waymo has recalled thousands of their robotaxis pending a solution to their software issues.
Determining Liability in a Waymo car accident
Determining liability in driverless car accidents is complex. Traditional traffic collisions often place responsibility on a negligent driver. However, when no human driver is involved, liability could extend to various parties, including:
- Waymo LLC
- Alphabet Inc., which holds majority control of Waymo
- A third-party negligent driver
It all depends on the specific facts of the case and the theories of liability that apply, such as:
- Driver negligence, including a third-party human driver who was involved in the collision
- Corporate negligence
- Vehicle manufacturer defect (e.g. Jaguar, which is the company predominantly used by Waymo in Los Angeles)
- Product/software liability
- Design defect
How the Law Offices of Ali Taheripour can help
Driverless car accidents present unique legal challenges. With over two decades of experience litigating car accidents in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, and across California, the Law Offices of Ali Taheripour is here to assist you. Whether you were injured as a Waymo passenger, a pedestrian, or you were a driver involved in a collision with a robotaxi, our team is here to help.
Contact us today for a consultation.