Self-driving and driverless cars are no longer a hope for the future they are here. Many large tech companies have jumped on the bandwagon of developing vehicles that can drive themselves or their passengers without a driver’s input. Google is one of those companies. What was previously known as the Google self-driving car project is now called Waymo.
Waymo is a standalone subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., and in April 2017, it began a trial run of self-driving taxis in Phoenix, Arizona. In December 2018, the company launched its first self-driving car service, Waymo One, in the Phoenix area. The same year, Waymo launched a pilot program of autonomous commercial trucks.
When you consider the other self-driving or semi-autonomous vehicles on the road, there are more cars without drivers than you might think and they are not immune from being involved in crashes. Software glitches, poor programming, and other drivers’ errors have caused driverless and self-driving cars to be involved in minor and serious crashes. Manufacturing and design defect are all potential theories of legal liability that may cause a serious injury or fatality in a car crash with a self-driving vehicle. Our lawyers have experience handling accident cases ranging from high speed collisions to claims for products liability. For the last 50 years, Gerson & Schwartz car accident lawyers have helped numerous victims and their families recover from persons, businesses, and manufacturers
If you are hurt in a crash with a driverless or self-driving car, contact our Google accident lawyers in Miami. You can reach Gerson & Schwartz P.A. through our online form or by calling (877) 475-2905. Our first steps will be to thoroughly investigate the crash and determine whether Google or another company is responsible for the vehicle. Consultations are free and there are no upfront costs to get started. You only pay us if we are able to recover any money on your behalf.
Waymo CrashesMany tech companies are testing their self-driving vehicles in California, and Google is no exception. Waymo has been involved in 37 crashes, and Tech.co mapped all of them in 2018. By looking at Waymo’s accidents in California, we can begin to see why self-driving cars crash.
Waymo vehicles seemed to have issues with safely navigating El Camino Real, which is a six-lane road through Mountain View. These vehicles were involved in none merge-related accidents. This may be because self-driving cars are programmed to be cautious. Most of their accidents occur at low speeds, meaning when they are moving below 10 mph, and when they come to junctions with other roads. This overly cautious driving increases the risk of rear-end collisions caused by other drivers. Another issue is four-way stops, particularly because drivers do not always follow the order in which they should or obey the right of way.
Overall, if you are involved in a crash with a self-driving car, and you believe it was that vehicle’s fault, you need to call a Google accident lawyer for help. Self-driving cars have been in plenty of accidents, but they are typically minor and almost always a human driver’s fault.
It is rare for an investigation to find that the self-driving vehicle was at fault, though it can happen. A Waymo vehicle was in a minor collision with a bus, and Google took partial responsibility for the crash. In fact, the collision led to Google updating the self-driving vehicle’s programming.
Who is Liable in a Self-Driving Car Crash?If you are in an accident with a Waymo or other self-driving vehicle, contact our Google accident attorneys in Miami, Florida right away. Two of the biggest questions you face after this type of collision is first, who was at fault for the crash, and second, who is liable for compensating you after the crash?
By hiring Gerson & Schwartz P.A., you will be retaining a veteran car accident lawyer who will thoroughly investigate the accident and facts of your case. We will obtain as much evidence as possible regarding what happened and will file a lawsuit against Waymo to obtain more evidence that is under the business’s control.
By analyzing all of this evidence, we will be able to determine liability for your injuries. If the Waymo self-driving vehicle malfunctioned or was programed incorrectly, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Common theories of legal liability may result from a design or manufacturing defect.
Types of Car AccidentsSelf-driving and semi-autonomous cars have the potential to make the roads safe by reducing crashes caused by human error. That being said, they are a long way away from making car accidents a thing of the past. Self-driving cars have been and will be in collisions, and they may be at fault. By working with a Google vehicle accident lawyer, you may uncover evidence that the self-driving car was fully or partly at fault for the accident and your injuries.
When you can prove the self-driving vehicle caused you harm, then your attorney will pursue compensation on your behalf. Through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, we will seek compensation for your:
Just because a vehicle does not have a driver, or the driver had their vehicle in self-driving mode, does not mean that no one can be held responsible for a crash and your injuries. You still have the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the driver, owner, or manufacture of a vehicle. If you were involved in a crash with a Waymo car or truck, the liable party may be Waymo, a subsidiary business of Alphabet, Inc. (the parent company of Google) or another party.
Contact a Google accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. today at (305) 371-6000. Se Habla Espanol.