Hit by a Waymo: Is the Tech Company or Another Driver Responsible?

Getting hurt in any car accident is stressful, but crashes involving Waymo vehicles create a whole new set of problems. When there's no human driver behind the wheel, figuring out who pays for your medical bills becomes much more complicated. Recent recalls show these self-driving cars still have serious flaws, yet companies like Waymo continue putting them on California roads.

If you've been injured in a Waymo accident in the Inland Empire, you're dealing with liability questions that most personal injury lawyers have never handled before. However, the San Bernardino auto accident lawyers at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. can help. Call us at 909-890-1000 now.
Waymo just recalled over 1,200 vehicles because their software couldn't properly detect chains, gates, and roadway barriers. This happened after 16 separate crashes with these objects between 2022 and 2024. While no one was seriously hurt in these particular incidents, they show how quickly things can go wrong when artificial intelligence makes driving decisions.

When Waymo's Technology Fails

Self-driving cars are supposed to be safer than human drivers, but the reality is different. Waymo has issued at least three major recalls since February 2024, each one fixing problems that put people at risk.

• Software Glitches: Waymo's latest recall involved software that couldn't recognize common road barriers like chains and gates. This wasn't a minor bug. It caused actual crashes. When Waymo's computer systems fail to see obvious obstacles, they can slam into stationary objects or make sudden stops that cause chain-reaction accidents.
• Sensor Problems: Self-driving cars rely on cameras, radar, and other sensors to "see" the road. When these systems malfunction or get confused by weather, construction, or unusual road conditions, the results can be dangerous. Orange County's mix of beach fog, bright sunlight, and ongoing construction projects creates perfect conditions for sensor failures.
• Poor Decision Making: Even when Waymo's systems work correctly, they sometimes make choices that no reasonable human driver would make. The cars might brake too hard for non-threats, fail to yield properly at intersections, or get confused by emergency vehicles.

When Waymo's technology causes an accident, the company should be held responsible for your injuries. This includes medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. But getting them to pay requires proving their system made a mistake. This is something that takes technical knowledge and legal experience.

When Other Drivers Are at Fault

Not every Waymo accident is the robot's fault. Human drivers often cause crashes involving self-driving cars, especially when they don't understand how these vehicles behave. Other drivers can still make mistakes that result in serious harm, including:

• Road rage
• Misunderstanding autonomous behaviors
• Running red lights
• Rear-end accidents
• Drunk driving
• Texting and driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving

Manufacturer Defects vs. Software Problems

Sometimes the problem isn't Waymo's self-driving software but the actual vehicle itself. Most Waymo cars are built by other manufacturers like Jaguar or Chrysler, which creates another layer of liability issues.

Mechanical Failures: If brake problems, steering malfunctions, or engine failures cause accidents, the vehicle manufacturer might be responsible instead of Waymo. These cases fall under traditional product liability law, which is more established than self-driving car liability.

Design Flaws: Poor vehicle design can make accidents worse, even if it doesn't cause them. If a Waymo vehicle's safety features fail during a crash, the manufacturer could face additional liability beyond what Waymo owes for the accident itself.

Integration Problems: Sometimes Waymo's software and the vehicle's hardware don't work well together. When this integration fails and causes accidents, both companies might share responsibility for your injuries.

Figuring out whether Waymo or the vehicle manufacturer is responsible requires investigating both the self-driving system and the car's mechanical condition. This often means hiring technical experts who understand both computer systems and automotive engineering.

Insurance Companies Will Fight These Claims

Insurance companies hate self-driving car accident claims because they're expensive and complicated. They might claim you somehow caused the accident, even when Waymo's systems clearly malfunctioned. California's comparative negligence laws protect you from these tactics, but you need strong legal representation to fight back.

In some cases, Waymo will deny these technology problems, and the insurance companies will subsequently deny your claim. In fact, Waymo has a team of technical experts trying to protect its clients' interests. That’s why you need someone on your side who has your best interests in mind at all times. 

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at William D. Shapiro, Inc., who understands self-driving car accidents. These cases require knowledge of both traditional accident law and emerging autonomous vehicle technology. You need representation that stays current with new developments.

New Legal Territory

Self-driving car accidents represent new legal territory, but your right to compensation remains clear. These cases require personal injury attorneys who understand both traditional accident investigation and the technical aspects of autonomous vehicle technology.

Don't let Big Tech companies convince you that their experimental software isn't responsible for your injuries. If you've been hurt in a Waymo accident in Orange County, contact William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. for a free consultation. We'll fight to hold the right parties responsible while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. is one of the top catastrophic personal injury law firms in San Bernardino. The firm handles injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents throughout Southern California and and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars over nearly half a century. Attorney Bill Shapiro runs the firm alongside his sons Matthew and Brian Shapiro.