What Happens If You Are In An Accident Involving A Waymo In Florida?

Autonomous vehicles are no longer experimental technology, they’re actively operating on Florida roads. As companies like Waymo expand robotaxi services into high-traffic areas like Miami and other parts of South Florida, new legal questions are emerging.

If you are involved in an accident with a Waymo vehicle, you may wonder:

• Who is considered the driver?
  
• Does Florida’s no-fault insurance law apply?
  
• Can you sue a self-driving car company?
  
• How is liability determined?
  

Understanding your rights after a crash involving autonomous technology is essential. Kogan & DiSalvo helps accident victims across South Florida navigate complex personal injury cases, including those involving emerging vehicle technology.

Injured in Florida? Let Kogan & DiSalvo help you get the compensation you deserve.

Are Self-Driving Cars Legal in Florida?

Yes. Florida law allows autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads, and in many cases, no human driver is required behind the wheel.

Under state law:

• The automated driving system can legally qualify as the vehicle’s “operator”
  
• A licensed human driver is not always required to be physically present
  
• Autonomous vehicles must still comply with traffic and safety laws
  

This legal framework means that when a crash occurs, fault may not be as straightforward as in a traditional car accident.

In busy South Florida corridors like I-95, US-1, A1A, Glades Road, and the Florida Turnpike, where traffic congestion, tourism, and unpredictable driving patterns are common, even advanced technology can be involved in serious collisions.

Step 1: What Happens Immediately After the Crash?

The immediate steps after a Waymo accident are similar to any other Florida car crash:

1. Call 911 and report the accident
   
2. Seek medical attention right away
   
3. Exchange information with any involved parties
   
4. Take photos of the vehicles and scene
   
5. Obtain contact information from witnesses
   

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance typically covers initial medical expenses, regardless of who caused the crash.

However, crashes involving autonomous vehicles may require additional evidence collection, including:

• Vehicle data logs
  
• Software operation records
  
• Sensor performance reports
  
• Internal incident reports
  

Preserving this evidence quickly can be critical.

Your recovery starts with a call to Kogan & DiSalvo.

Step 2: Does Florida’s No-Fault Law Still Apply?

Yes. Florida’s no-fault insurance system applies even if the accident involves a self-driving vehicle.

Your PIP coverage generally pays:

• 80% of necessary medical expenses
  
• 60% of lost wages
  
• Up to $10,000 in benefits
  

To qualify, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident.

However, if your injuries are serious, meaning they involve permanent injury, significant scarring, loss of bodily function, or wrongful death, you may step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault party.

This is where autonomous vehicle cases become more complex.

Step 3: Who Is Liable in a Waymo Accident?

Determining fault in a self-driving car crash depends on what caused the accident.

Possible liable parties may include:

The Autonomous Vehicle Company

If the accident was caused by:

• Software malfunction
  
• System miscalculation
  
• Defective sensors
  
• Improper programming
  
• Failure to update safety systems
  

The company operating or manufacturing the vehicle may be responsible under product liability laws.

A Human Driver

If another motorist caused the crash, such as running a red light or rear-ending the Waymo, that driver may be liable.

A Safety Operator

If a human monitor was present in the vehicle and failed to intervene appropriately, liability could extend to that individual or their employer.

Maintenance Contractors

If improper maintenance contributed to brake failure, sensor malfunction, or mechanical issues, a third party may share responsibility.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may not recover damages. If you are partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Because multiple parties may share liability, these cases often require extensive investigation.

Kogan & DiSalvo has helped injury victims across South Florida, now we’re ready to help you.

Step 4: How Is Evidence Collected in a Waymo Accident?

Autonomous vehicles generate large amounts of digital data. This may include:

• Speed and braking patterns
  
• GPS tracking
  
• Sensor input
  
• Internal camera footage
  
• System override attempts
  

Unlike traditional accidents, where witness statements and physical damage tell most of the story, self-driving crashes often require technical analysis and expert reconstruction.

It is critical to act quickly, as digital data may be overwritten or secured by corporate legal teams.

An experienced personal injury attorney can send preservation letters and initiate formal discovery processes to protect key evidence.

Step 5: Can You Sue After a Waymo Accident in Florida?

You may be able to file a lawsuit if:

• Your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold
  
• Negligence or defect can be proven
  
• Insurance benefits are insufficient
  

Claims may involve:

• Negligence
  
• Product liability
  
• Failure to warn
  
• Corporate liability
  

Because autonomous vehicle companies often have significant insurance coverage and legal defense teams, these cases may be more aggressively defended than standard car accident claims.

That makes experienced representation especially important.

What Types of Injuries Occur in Self-Driving Car Accidents?

Despite advanced safety features, crashes involving autonomous vehicles can still result in serious harm, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
  
• Spinal cord injuries
  
• Neck and back injuries
  
• Broken bones
  
• Internal bleeding
  
• Permanent disability
  

High-speed collisions on I-95 or side-impact crashes in urban areas like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach can be life-altering.

In catastrophic injury cases, long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and loss of earning capacity must be carefully calculated.

Common Challenges in Autonomous Vehicle Injury Cases

These cases present unique legal hurdles:

Corporate Defense Strategies

Large companies may argue the system performed as designed.

Technical Complexity

Understanding AI decision-making requires expert analysis.

Data Access Issues

Companies may limit immediate access to system data.

Insurance Layering

Multiple policies may be involved, including commercial and corporate coverage.

Kogan & DiSalvo works with experts in accident reconstruction and product liability to build strong, evidence-based claims.

We’re here to help you understand your rights. Let’s talk.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If your injuries qualify you to pursue a claim beyond PIP benefits, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
  
• Lost wages
  
• Reduced earning capacity
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Permanent disability
  
• Wrongful death damages (if applicable)
  

Every case is different. The key is proving liability and documenting the full impact of your injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Waymo Accidents in Florida

Is a Self-Driving Car Automatically at Fault?

No. Fault depends on evidence. Autonomous vehicles must still follow traffic laws.

Can I Sue Even If I Was a Passenger?

Yes. Passengers are rarely responsible and often have strong claims.

Are These Cases New to Florida Courts?

Autonomous vehicle litigation is still evolving, but Florida courts are increasingly addressing these issues.

Do I Still Have Four Years to File a Claim?

As of recent changes to Florida law, most negligence claims must be filed within two years. Acting quickly is essential.

Speak With Kogan & DiSalvo About Your Case

If you were injured in an accident involving a Waymo vehicle in Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Stuart, Delray Beach, or anywhere along the Treasure Coast, you do not have to navigate the legal system alone.

Autonomous vehicle accidents demand careful investigation, technical knowledge, and aggressive advocacy.

Call Kogan & DiSalvo today for your free consultation.

Injured in Florida? Let Kogan & DiSalvo help you get the compensation you deserve.

When Results Matter, We Deliver.