What is Waymo?
A new wave of autonomous vehicles is on our roads, and they are here to stay. From Waymo to future Tesla automatous cars, this new wave of driverless vehicles has benefits but is not without its set of risks.
First, Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company. It is at the forefront of autonomous vehicle development and is known for operating self-driving cars that use sensors, machine learning, and complex algorithms to navigate and drive without human intervention. While these vehicles are designed to be safe and reduce the risk of accidents, system malfunctions, human error, and external factors can still lead to accidents. If you have been involved in an accident with one of these vehicles, you may be entitled to compensation.
How Do Waymo Accidents Differ from Regular Car Accidents?
Waymo accidents introduce unique complexities that require specialized legal knowledge. In a typical car accident, liability usually lies with one of the drivers based on their actions or negligence. In Waymo accidents, however, determining fault can be more complicated because of the involvement of advanced autonomous technology. Key factors that may influence a Waymo accident claim include:
- Vehicle System Failure: The software, sensors, or navigation system of the Waymo car could have failed to identify an obstacle or make critical decisions properly, resulting in a malfunction that led to an accident.
- Human Intervention: Sometimes, human drivers or safety drivers inside the vehicle might take control at a critical moment and may have issues of negligence on their part.
- Manufacturing Defects: Defects in the hardware components, such as sensors or cameras, could be responsible for the accident, leading to product liability claims.
Understanding these nuances is essential to pursuing a successful claim.
Steps to Take After a Waymo Accident
If you’ve been involved in a Waymo accident, there are specific steps you should take to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. Many injuries, especially internal ones or whiplash, can become apparent only after a few hours or days. Having a medical record of your injuries is vital for your claim.
Document the Scene
Just like any car accident, documenting the scene is critical. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle, the Waymo vehicle, and any visible injuries. If possible, gather witness statements and obtain video footage from nearby traffic cameras or bystanders. This evidence can help establish what happened and support your claim.
Report the Incident
Contact the police and file a report. This official record can be helpful when determining the details of the accident and how the authorities classified it.
Contact an Experienced Attorney
Waymo accidents are complex, and working with an attorney experienced in autonomous vehicle claims is essential. They will help you navigate the process, from dealing with the insurance companies to identifying who is at fault. They can also assist in gathering the necessary evidence to prove negligence, whether it’s on the part of Waymo, the manufacturer of the vehicle’s sensors, or other parties.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Waymo Accident?
Determining liability in a Waymo accident is not always straightforward. It can be the Waymo vehicle, another driver, or both. As an innocent free passenger, it is advisable to hire an experienced attorney to assure that no stone goes unturned. Here are some potential parties that may be held responsible:
- Waymo (the company): If the company’s autonomous driving software or algorithms malfunctioned, leading to the crash, Waymo could be held responsible.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: If a sensor failure or a defect in the vehicle’s hardware contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of those parts could be liable.
- Other Drivers: In some cases, other drivers involved in the accident may have played a role by interfering with the Waymo vehicle’s navigation system or causing the collision.
- Third Parties: In rare cases, a third-party contractor responsible for maintaining or upgrading the Waymo vehicles could be at fault.
Your attorney at LA Century Law can and will carefully investigate all the factors surrounding the accident to identify all potential parties responsible. It is crucial to make sure that all potential parties are held accountable for an accident.
Why You Need Legal Representation for a Waymo Accident
Waymo accidents involve high-tech vehicles, advanced algorithms, and complex legal issues, which can make the claims process much more difficult than typical car accident cases. Here are a few reasons why you need an experienced attorney by your side:
- Vehicle Technology: Legal claims involving autonomous vehicles require a solid understanding of the technology behind them and the makers of said technology. Our attorneys at LA Century Law will work with experts to evaluate and investigate the system failures or malfunctions that caused the accident. Like any technology, Waymo vehicles can have defects that contribute to an accident.
- Navigating Insurance Companies: Waymo, like many corporations, will likely have a team of legal professionals working to protect its interests. They are only worried about their bottom line and not the human that was injured in the vehicle. Having an experienced attorney ensures that your rights are represented and that the insurance companies don’t take advantage of you.
- Maximizing Compensation: Waymo accidents often result in significant medical bills and other long-term expenses. A skilled attorney will ensure you pursue the full range of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
If you’ve been injured in a Waymo accident, don’t navigate the complex legal process alone. Having a dedicated and knowledgeable autonomous vehicle accident lawyer can make all the difference in ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
LA Century Law has extensive experience handling Waymo accident claims and is ready to fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Call 310-893-0553 or fill out our online form to get started.
