Setareh Law
June 4, 2025
As self-driving vehicles increasingly share our roads, questions about liability in autonomous vehicle accidents have become more pressing. Waymo, Google’s self-driving car project, has expanded its operations in various cities nationwide, including several locations in California. When these autonomous vehicles are involved in accidents, injured parties can indeed pursue legal action against Waymo, but the process involves navigating complex liability issues that differ significantly from traditional car accident claims.
At Setareh Law, we stay at the forefront of evolving personal injury law, including cases involving autonomous vehicle accidents. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges presented by these technologically advanced cases and work diligently to help clients recover compensation when injured in accidents involving self-driving vehicles like those operated by Waymo.
Understanding Waymo’s Liability Framework
When a Waymo vehicle causes an accident, determining liability involves considerations that don’t exist in conventional vehicle crashes. This emerging area of law incorporates elements of both traditional car accident liability and product liability principles.
Current Legal Landscape
Currently, companies operating autonomous vehicles, including Waymo, generally remain liable for accidents their vehicles cause. However, the specific legal framework continues to evolve as these technologies become more widespread. Some key considerations include:
Potential Liable Parties
In a Waymo accident, multiple parties may potentially bear responsibility:
- Waymo (or its parent company Alphabet) as the operator and developer of the autonomous system
- The human safety driver (if present) who may have failed to intervene
- Software developers who created the algorithms controlling the vehicle
- Hardware manufacturers who supplied faulty components
- Other road users who may have contributed to the accident
Identifying the appropriate defendants requires thorough investigation of both the technical aspects of the autonomous system and the specific circumstances of the accident. Making this determination often requires specialized technical knowledge and legal experience with emerging technologies.
Evidence Unique to Autonomous Vehicle Cases
Successfully pursuing a claim against Waymo requires gathering and analyzing evidence specific to autonomous vehicles. This includes:
Data Logs and Technical Information
Waymo vehicles continuously record vast amounts of data about their operation, surroundings, and decision-making processes. This information becomes crucial evidence in determining what went wrong. However, accessing and interpreting this data typically requires:
- Prompt legal action to preserve all relevant data
- Technical experts who can analyze complex sensor information
- Understanding of how autonomous systems make decisions
- Knowledge of the regulatory framework governing data retention
These records provide insights unavailable in traditional accident cases, potentially offering clear evidence of exactly what the vehicle detected and how it responded in the moments leading up to a crash.
Regulatory Compliance
Autonomous vehicle companies must adhere to specific regulations regarding testing and deployment. Investigating whether Waymo complied with all applicable regulations becomes an important aspect of establishing liability. Violations of these requirements may strengthen your case substantially.
Challenges in Waymo Accident Claims
Pursuing compensation for injuries in a Waymo accident presents several unique challenges:
Evolving Legal Standards
As self-driving technology is relatively new, established legal precedents specifically addressing autonomous vehicle liability remain limited. Courts are still developing approaches to these cases, which creates uncertainty but also opportunity in how these claims proceed.
Technical Complexity
The sophisticated technology powering Waymo vehicles can make it difficult to explain to judges and juries exactly what went wrong. Effective presentation of technical evidence requires both legal skill and the ability to translate complex concepts into understandable terms.
How Setareh Law Can Help With Your Waymo Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a Waymo vehicle, our team at Setareh Law can provide the specialized assistance you need by:
- Conducting a thorough investigation of the accident with consideration for autonomous vehicle factors
- Working with technical experts to analyze vehicle data and determine what malfunctioned
- Identifying all potentially liable parties to maximize your chances of full compensation
- Building a compelling case that explains complex technical issues in understandable terms
- Staying current with evolving regulations and precedents in this rapidly changing field
Our approach combines technical understanding with proven legal strategies to address the unique challenges these cases present. We work to level the playing field when you face large technology companies and their substantial legal resources.
Contact a California Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a Waymo or other autonomous vehicle, the complexities of your case demand specialized legal assistance. At Setareh Law, we bring over 20 years of personal injury experience to this emerging field, with a commitment to helping our clients navigate the unique challenges of autonomous vehicle accident claims across California.
Our attorneys understand both the technical aspects of these cases and the legal strategies needed to pursue fair compensation for your injuries. We offer personalized guidance in English and Spanish to ensure you fully understand your legal options. Contact us today at (310) 659-1826 or through our contact form to schedule a free consultation about your autonomous vehicle accident case.
