If you live in Arizona’s Phoenix metro area and you haven’t yet seen a driverless Waymo vehicle on the road, you will soon. It’s just a matter of time. They seem to be everywhere, cruising along without a human at the wheel.
Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service operates throughout 315 square miles across Phoenix and several suburbs. As testing and deployment for the vehicles increases, so do accidents. Some studies have shown that autonomous vehicles have been involved with 9.1 accidents per million miles driven, which is significant when compared against the 4.1 accidents per million miles for human-driven vehicles.
Seeing a driverless vehicle on the road and understanding the data behind autonomous accidents raises some questions related to safety. Specifically, what happens if a Waymo hits a pedestrian? And, can you sue Waymo for an accident?
These are valid concerns. As a rideshare accident lawyer, the team at Torgenson Law has had experience tackling these questions. It turns out a robotaxi accident is handled a little differently during the legal claim process.
Assigning responsibility for a regular car accident can be complicated, but it usually involves an actual driver in some way, shape or form. Driverless vehicles are decidedly different. If a robotaxi is involved in an accident with a pedestrian or another vehicle, more technical questions come into play. Those factors include:
While driverless vehicles never have to confront the issue of carrying a distracted driver, technology malfunctions can create precarious situations for pedestrians and other drivers on the road. If a Waymo vehicle hits you or your vehicle, the first steps following the accident will feel familiar.
It’s important to seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Documenting injuries and treatment is an important element of a personal injury claim. It is also crucial to obtain a police report from the accident, collect whatever witness information is available and to document the scene of the accident as thoroughly as possible. Scene documentation and witness information may include statements, photos and video. And then, given the complexity of a driverless car accident claim, contact a rideshare accident lawyer.
While the factors influencing the value of compensation claims for a robotaxi accident may closely mirror those of traditional accidents involving vehicles driven by humans, there are a few unique circumstances for these types of claims.
The technology within the vehicle is one. A personal injury lawyer with experience in driverless car accident claims will want to review the vehicle’s trip records, its data logs, its camera footage, previous police accident reports, and any surveillance video from nearby businesses. These pieces of evidence offer insight for assigning robotaxi accident liability.
In situations like this, a rideshare accident lawyer, like the team at Torgenson Law, knows how to navigate corporate liability, technology failures, insurance coverage for robotaxi fleets, and gaining access to proprietary vehicle data. Injuries from a Waymo accident in Arizona could be significant, which is why it’s vitally important for victims to have access to every piece of evidence available.
A driverless car accident claim may need to include compensation for lost wages due to missed work, medical expenses, long-term disability, and pain and suffering. While every case is unique, compensation generally reflects those factors. And evidence of liability builds a stronger case. An experienced rideshare accident lawyer can help you determine if you are able to bring a claim against Waymo or other companies fielding fleets of driverless vehicles.
No one should navigate a driverless car accident claim alone. The team at Torgenson Law is here to support you through this process, ensuring your best interests are represented. If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run accident, reach out to our team today.
No pressure, no upfront costs, just answers from a legal team that takes your recovery personally.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
