
Self-driving technology was once a futuristic dream, but it’s here—and it’s far from perfect. With over 137 Waymo collisions in 2025 already, it’s clear that this type of technology isn not necessarily making drivers and passengers safer. If youhave been injured in a car accident caused by a self-driving vehicle, it’s time to reach out to a car accident law firm in California to learn more about your legal options.
The team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP has watched the changing trends in self-driving car accidents closely, and we know what you are up against after a collision. With the help of our California car accident lawyers, you can demand answers, seek compensation, and get the closure you deserve. We have spent more than 40 years helping accident victims throughout Southern California, and we are ready to bring that experience to your case. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to figure out your next steps now.
Rise of Autonomous Vehicle Collisions in California
Waymo and other companies have steadily ramped up operations across the country, with Waymo now operating in California and a handful of other states. However, consumer trust in self-driving technology remains low—and collisions aren not helping. There have been hundreds of Waymo accidents over the last few years, and since California makes up a significant part of Waymo’s current coverage, many of those occur within our state.
How AVs Are Allowed to Operate
Waymo is permitted to operate under a complex framework of local, state, and federal regulations. Their heavy emphasis on safety and compliance has allowed them to expand their operations steadily over the years. The California Department of Motor Vehicles gave Waymo a permit to operate cars without safety drivers. This permit gave them broad authority to drive at night and during the day. This authority expanded to include passenger transportation in July of 2019.
Some of the safety regulations that guide Waymo technology include constant following of speed limits, required seat belt use for passengers, and analysis of all events in which a Waymo collides with another vehicle, person, or other obstacle. This data may be accessible by a car accident attorney after a crash.
What Happens After an AV Crash
When you are involved in a crash with another driver, you know the procedure. You assess the damage, call the police, and swap information with the other driver. But what do you do when you collide with an autonomous vehicle? There’s likely a passenger inside, but they probably don not know any more than you do. Do you call the company that owns the vehicle, and if so, how do you even figure out which number to call? How can your car accident attorney figure out if the crash occurred due to a software glitch, an inattentive backup driver, or a third party?
These crashes bring up lots of questions, and that’s why it’s so important to have a car accident lawyer advocating for you. You’ll need access to vehicle data logs to understand what happened, what went wrong, and who’s to blame—but as you may imagine, self-driving tech companies aren not in a rush to share that information. Bringing in an attorney with experience in this rapidly changing area of law can help.
Tech Innovation Without Accountability: a Public Safety Risk
California has long been a hub for technology innovation, but that level of risk-taking comes with dangers to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. When it comes to the legal side of self-driving technology, legislators are usually a few steps behind. This leads to difficulty determining liability when a self-driving car causes a crash, a lack of clear reporting requirements when an autonomous vehicle causes a collision, and a lack of public consent when autonomous vehicles are being tested on public roads.
Why You Need an Attorney
Trying to figure out who is to blame for a car accident is a crucial part of getting the compensation you are entitled to. But when the other party is not a driver but an entire company, the process is considerably more complicated. Your attorney can access the necessary records, advocate for you in the face of corporate pressure, and ensure that the liable party is held accountable.
Don not Take on the Fight Alone—Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm Today
The team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, LLP is committed to helping autonomous vehicle victims seek justice. If you are ready to learn more about your options, let’s talk. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or connect with us online to get started.