Waymo Car Accident Lawyer

Sometimes, it truly does feel like we are living in the Jetsons era. We have robot vacuums, drones, and little devices that can listen and respond to our commands. This era of advanced technology also includes transportation, with the advent of driverless cars like Waymo.

The idea of a computer being responsible for driving a car can be a little scary. While Waymo has not expanded to New York (yet), you may be curious about who can be held liable for a Waymo crash. Depending on who was at fault for the accident, you may be able to file a claim against Waymo itself, manufacturers of vehicle components, another driver, or even a third party. Our Long Island car accident attorneys can help you get maximum compensation for your losses.

Based in Melville, The Odierno Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers represent clients throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties in New York. We offer free initial consultations and handle all claims on a contingency fee basis. If you have been hurt in any type of accident, reach out to our law offices to schedule an appointment with a Long Island personal injury lawyer.

What Is Waymo?

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company that offers self-driving taxi services. Currently, Waymo’s autonomous robotaxi services are available in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. It plans to expand to other cities in the near future, including Miami and Washington, DC. 

The company’s technology involves the use of sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, known as the Waymo Driver. Waymo claims that this technology allows its vehicles to navigate and drive without human intervention. 

Waymo is an app-based service, where users can order a ride just like they would from Uber or Lyft. When the vehicle arrives, passengers can unlock it with the app and then use a touchscreen inside the car.  The vehicles are fully autonomous, with no driver operating them through city streets.

While Waymo hasn’t expanded to New York (yet), it already has a spotty track record when it comes to safety in other cities. For example, in September 2025, a Waymo vehicle was involved in a crash near the Arizona State University campus that resulted in a motorcyclist dying. 

While Waymo claims that its vehicles are safer than traditional vehicles operated by humans, it has also recalled more than 1,200 of its vehicles after minor crashes. In cities where Waymo operates, such as Austin, the city has received dozens of complaints about the vehicles stalling, speeding, and crashing. Residents in other cities have complained of other nuisances, such as Waymo cars blocking driveways.

Even though Waymo isn’t in New York, other vehicles (such as Teslas) are equipped with self-driving technologies. This brings the issue of liability in cases of autonomous driving cars to the forefront. Our law firm is well-equipped to handle these challenges and help our clients get justice.

Who Is Responsible for a Waymo Accident?

When you are involved in a car crash with another driver, the responsible party may be pretty obvious. For example, if another driver runs a red light and t-bones your car as you drive through an intersection, then you could file a claim against their insurance company for your losses. But who do you sue when the car that hit you does not have a driver?

These cases are more complicated than typical car accident cases because there isn’t a driver, and the vehicles are owned by a massive corporation (Alphabet, which is also Google’s parent company). They also involved much more complicated evidence because you have to figure out if something in Waymo’s technology caused the accident. This is much harder than simply showing that the at-fault driver did not yield when merging onto the highway.

If a Waymo vehicle is involved in an accident, then its software needs to be closely analyzed to determine if the vehicle was responsible for the crash in some way. This may involve hiring an expert to investigate the Waymo vehicle’s AI algorithms, sensor data, and software to determine if some sort of technical flaw caused the accident. This data may also reveal that some other part of the vehicle, such as a sensor or a mechanical component, caused the accident.

Personal injury cases are usually based on a theory of negligence, which is a type of carelessness. A person or entity can be careless in a number of ways, such as by sending out a driverless car onto the streets with faulty software or manufacturing a defective piece of hardware. The injury victim (plaintiff) in a car accident case is responsible for proving that the at-fault party (defendant) was negligent in some way.

To prove negligence, the plaintiff will have to introduce evidence of the following 4 elements:

1. Duty: the defendant has a duty to use reasonable care (such as by manufacturing autonomous cars with sensors that can detect pedestrians or bicyclists, for example)
2. Breach: the defendant violated this duty in some way (such as by installing faulty sensors that do not work in all weather conditions). 
3. Causation: this violation was the proximate or but-for cause of the accident.
4. Damages: the plaintiff suffered damages as a result.

In a Waymo accident case, you may be able to bring a negligence claim against:

• Waymo for system malfunctions, software problems, or sensor issues
• Manufacturers of faulty or poorly-designed mechanical components
• Another driver who caused the accident
• A third party, such as a government agency, that failed to properly maintain the roads

Our Long Island car accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to determine who might be liable for your injuries. We will work with experts to analyze all relevant information and determine the true cause of a Waymo crash. We will then get to work to build a case against the at-fault parties.

Our cases typically start with a demand letter that is sent to the defendant’s insurance company. A demand letter describes the facts of the case, explains the legal reasons why their insured is liable, and then makes a demand for compensation. Insurance companies typically respond to demand letters with a counteroffer.

Damages in a car accident claim may include:

• Economic damages for direct financial losses, such as property damage, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, medical bills, and future medical expenses.
• Non-economic damages for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, scarring, and disfigurement.
• Punitive damages for cases involving intentional or reckless conduct. Punitive damages are meant to punish a wrongdoer instead of compensating a victim for their losses.

Any settlement for a Waymo accident claim should include money for all of your losses. Our law firm will evaluate settlement offers and advise you of whether they reflect the true value of your case.

Most personal injury claims are resolved outside of court. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Our Long Island car accident attorneys are skilled at both negotiation and litigation. We won’t hesitate to go to court to defend your rights and help you achieve justice.

Help for Waymo Accident Victims

While Waymo hasn’t arrived in New York, it seems like it is only a matter of time before autonomous/self-driving cars are everywhere. These vehicles might offer convenience, but they can also be dangerous. If you are hurt in an accident with a Waymo or another technology-powered car, we will fight to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.

At The Odierno Law Firm Accident and Injury Lawyers, we know that every advance in technology comes with drawbacks and risks.  While Waymo claims that its cars are safe, there is always a danger that they could cause a serious or even fatal injury. We are fully prepared to take on Waymo and other major corporations to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Long Island personal injury lawyer, give us a call at 631-973-6221 or fill out our online contact form.