Injured in an Accident Involving a Waymo?

A Waymo accident is different from a typical car accident. Unlike traditional collisions, these cases may involve autonomous driving technology, electronic vehicle data, and multiple potentially liable parties. As self-driving vehicles become more common across the United States, determining what caused a crash and who may be responsible often requires a more detailed investigation. 

The Expansion of Self-Driving Vehicles Across the United States

Waymo, an autonomous driving technology company owned by Alphabet, has rapidly expanded its robotaxi service across the United States. Today, public riders can access Waymo in several major cities, including Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Nashville.

Waymo continues to expand into additional markets, including San Diego, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Denver, and Tampa. As self-driving vehicles become more common, accidents involving autonomous vehicles are becoming more common as well.

Waymo By the Numbers

According to Waymo:

• More than 500,000 rides are provided each week.
• Waymo’s autonomous driving system has completed more than 220 million fully autonomous miles.
• Service operates across 11 cities and more than 1,400 square miles.

As Waymo continues to grow, these numbers are expected to increase.

Waymo Accident Statistics

Waymo has published research comparing the crash rates of its autonomous vehicles with those of human drivers traveling on similar roads in the same operating areas. According to the company’s June 2026 safety update, based on more than 220 million fully autonomous miles, Waymo reported:

• 94% fewer crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries
• 82% fewer crashes involving reported injuries
• 82% fewer crashes involving airbag deployment

These comparisons are based on Waymo’s own analysis and methodology and measure crash rates regardless of who was at fault. While the findings suggest lower rates of certain types of crashes, they do not mean Waymo vehicles never become involved in accidents.

Waymo vehicles may still be involved in collisions caused by negligent human drivers, roadway hazards, construction zones, vehicle maintenance issues, sensor or camera malfunctions, software or mapping problems, or unexpected autonomous driving behavior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also investigated reports involving Waymo vehicles, highlighting why accidents involving self-driving technology often require a more detailed investigation than a traditional car accident.

How Cases for Waymo Accidents Differ From Traditional Car Accidents

Traditional car accidents and Waymo accidents may produce similar injuries, but the investigation and liability issues can be very different.

Traditional Car Accident Cases

In a traditional car accident, the investigation typically focuses on the actions of the drivers involved. The goal is to determine whether a driver’s negligence caused the crash, such as speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, running a red light, or driving under the influence.

Evidence commonly includes:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos of the accident scene
• Vehicle damage
• Medical records
• Vehicle data, when available

Waymo Accident Cases

A Waymo accident investigation is often more complex than a traditional car accident investigation. In addition to determining whether another driver acted negligently, investigators may also need to examine how the autonomous driving system operated before and during the crash.

Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include:

• Electronic driving data
• Camera and sensor recordings
• Software and mapping data
• Vehicle maintenance records
• Remote assistance logs
• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos of the accident scene

Because multiple parties may be involved, determining liability often requires a more detailed investigation than a typical car accident claim.

Who Is Liable in a Waymo Accident? 

Liability in a Waymo accident is not always as straightforward as it is in a traditional car accident. Depending on how the crash occurred, more than one person or company may be responsible.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The driver of another vehicle
• Waymo or another autonomous vehicle operator
• The owner or manufacturer of the vehicle or its components
• A company responsible for vehicle maintenance or repairs
• A government agency responsible for unsafe road conditions, in some cases

Determining liability requires a careful investigation of what happened before, during, and after the crash. In addition to reviewing police reports and witness statements, investigators may analyze electronic driving data, camera footage, sensor information, and other evidence unique to autonomous vehicles.

Because every accident is different, identifying the responsible parties is one of the most important steps in building a successful claim.

What Should You Do After a Waymo Accident?

The steps you take after a Waymo accident can protect your health and help preserve important evidence for your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

Get medical care as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries may not appear immediately, and medical records can help document your condition after the crash.

Report the Accident

• Call law enforcement when appropriate.
• Request an official accident report.
• If you were a Waymo passenger, report the incident through the Waymo app or contact Waymo Rider Support.

Document the Scene

If it is safe to do so, take photos or videos of:

• The Waymo vehicle and any other vehicles involved
• Vehicle damage
• The accident scene
• Traffic signs, signals, or road conditions
• Any visible injuries

Preserve Your Waymo Ride Information

Save important information from the Waymo app, including:

• Your trip receipt
• Pickup and drop-off locations
• The date and time of your ride
• The vehicle information shown in the app
• Communications with Waymo Rider Support

Gather Witness Information

Collect the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Independent witnesses may provide valuable information about how the Waymo vehicle and other road users behaved before the collision.

Avoid Discussing Fault

Do not admit fault or speculate about what caused the accident. Waymo crashes often involve electronic driving data and other technical evidence that is not immediately available at the scene.

Speak With a Waymo Accident Lawyer

An attorney can help preserve electronic driving data and other evidence before it is lost or overwritten, investigate the cause of the accident, identify potentially liable parties, and explain your legal options.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Waymo Accident?

The compensation available after a Waymo accident depends on the circumstances of the crash, the severity of your injuries, and how the accident has affected your life.

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages, when applicable

Every case is different, and the compensation available will depend on the specific facts of your claim.

Why You Should Hire a Waymo Accident Attorney

Waymo accident claims are often more complex than traditional car accident cases. In addition to investigating the actions of the drivers involved, these cases may require reviewing electronic vehicle data, autonomous driving technology, and multiple sources of evidence.

A Waymo accident lawyer can help:

• Investigate the cause of the accident
• Preserve important electronic evidence
• Identify all potentially liable parties
• Work with accident reconstruction and technical experts, when needed
• Calculate your damages
• Handle insurance negotiations
• Take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached

While Waymo accidents involve autonomous technology, injured victims must still prove negligence, causation, and damages. An experienced attorney can help build a strong claim using both traditional evidence and information unique to self-driving vehicle accidents.

We represent Waymo passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and families who have lost loved ones in fatal accidents. Our team works to identify all potentially liable parties and pursue the full compensation our clients may be entitled to recover.

We are available 24/7 for free legal consultations and will walk you through your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Waymo Accidents

Can You Get a DUI in a Waymo?

Merely riding as a passenger in a fully autonomous Waymo would not ordinarily constitute driving under the influence because California’s DUI law applies to a person who drives a vehicle while impaired.

However, alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited inside Waymo vehicles. Riders should not touch the steering wheel, pedals, or other driver controls. A passenger who attempts to operate or interfere with a vehicle while impaired could create additional legal and safety issues. (Leginfo)

Taking a Waymo does not protect a person from a DUI if that person later operates another vehicle while under the influence.

Can You Sit in the Driver Seat of a Waymo?

No.

Waymo’s current rider rules state that the driver’s seat is off limits. Passengers may sit in the other available seats, including the front passenger seat when permitted, but they should not sit behind the steering wheel or interfere with the vehicle’s controls. (Google Help)

Sitting in the driver’s seat or interfering with the vehicle may violate Waymo’s rules. It could also become relevant to an injury claim if the conduct caused or contributed to the accident.

A violation does not automatically eliminate a person’s right to recover compensation. The effect on the case would depend on whether the violation was connected to the accident or injuries.

Is Waymo Safer Than Uber?

There is not enough directly comparable public information to state that Waymo is universally safer than Uber.

Waymo operates fully autonomous vehicles, while most Uber trips involve independent human drivers using their own vehicles. The companies also operate under different business models and collect safety data differently.

Waymo’s published research indicates that its autonomous driving system has experienced lower rates of certain accidents than comparable human drivers in the locations and mileage included in its analysis. However, that does not amount to a direct comparison between Waymo and every Uber ride. (Waymo)

Can You Call a Waymo for Someone Else?

No, not under Waymo’s general rider rules.

Waymo states that riders cannot request a vehicle for someone else and then leave that person to ride alone. The account holder must be present to unlock the vehicle and must remain with their guests throughout the ride. Teen accounts may be subject to separate rules. (Google Help)

Requesting a vehicle for another person may affect the account holder’s standing and could result in a loss of ride privileges.

In an accident claim, violating this rule would not automatically prevent an injured passenger from recovering compensation. However, it could create disputes about the passenger’s identity, account information, compliance with rider rules, and the circumstances surrounding the trip.

How Often Does Waymo Crash?

There is no single reliable number that explains how often Waymo crashes.

The total number of accidents changes as Waymo adds more vehicles, cities, rides, and miles. A raw accident total also does not show whether the Waymo Driver caused the collision or was struck by another road user.

Waymo reports safety performance using accident rates across millions of rider-only miles. Its current public dashboard includes approximately 220.6 million rider-only miles through March 2026. (Waymo)

NHTSA also collects reports of qualifying automated driving system accidents. However, NHTSA cautions that reporting data has limitations and should not be used by itself to make simple safety comparisons between companies. (NHTSA)

Can Violating Waymo’s Rider Rules Affect an Injury Claim?

Potentially.

Waymo’s rider rules require passengers to wear seat belts, remain out of the driver’s seat, avoid interfering with vehicle controls, follow capacity limits, and refrain from smoking, vaping, consuming alcohol, or using illegal drugs in the vehicle. (Google Help)

A rule violation may become relevant when it contributed to the accident or made the injuries worse.

For example:

• Failure to wear a seat belt may lead to arguments that some injuries could have been reduced or avoided.
• Touching vehicle controls may create questions about whether the passenger interfered with the ride.
• Exceeding seating limits may affect safety and injury issues.
• Requesting a ride for another person may create disputes regarding the account and authorized riders.

A violation does not necessarily prevent an injured person from bringing a claim. The connection between the rule violation and the resulting harm must still be evaluated.

Can a Waymo Passenger File a Claim if Another Driver Caused the Accident?

Yes.

A Waymo passenger may have a claim against another driver whose negligence caused the collision.

Depending on the evidence, the passenger may also have claims involving Waymo, a vehicle manufacturer, a maintenance provider, or another party.

Passengers are generally not responsible for operating a fully autonomous Waymo vehicle, but their own conduct may still be considered if they violated a safety rule that contributed to their injuries.

What Happens if a Waymo Hits a Pedestrian or Cyclist?

A pedestrian or cyclist injured by a Waymo may be able to pursue compensation if the evidence shows that the autonomous vehicle, another driver, a dangerous roadway condition, or another party caused the collision.

The investigation may involve:

• The Waymo vehicle’s sensor data
• Camera recordings
• Traffic signals
• The movements of the pedestrian or cyclist
• Lighting and visibility
• Road design
• Witness statements
• Video from nearby businesses or vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires companies like Waymo to report certain crashes involving their autonomous vehicles, including collisions with pedestrians and cyclists, when specific reporting requirements are met. 

Because this evidence may be difficult to obtain later, injured pedestrians and cyclists should seek medical care and begin preserving evidence promptly.