Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers | November 12, 2025 | Car Accidents
Autonomous vehicle enthusiasts believe that self-driving cars are the future. That may be so, but self-driving cars aren’t perfect, and getting involved in an accident with one can be confusing.
Waymo’s robotaxi service has recently begun testing vehicles in Houston, so you may be seeing more of these driverless cars on the road. Here’s what to do if you’re involved in an accident with a self-driving car.
How Waymo Works
Waymo’s self-driving cars use radar, lidar, cameras, and other sensors to “see” their environment. AI and machine learning interpret those signals, and notably, Waymo’s entire fleet learns from the experience of each car on the road.
Waymo hasn’t launched fully autonomous rideshare vehicles in Houston yet. The system works much like Uber or Lyft, minus the driver. Users download the Waymo One app and use it to summon a car. The vehicle then comes to them, picks them up, and proceeds to their destination.
Risks and Safety Concerns
Waymo claims its vehicles are safer than human-driven vehicles, but those claims are debatable. According to some estimates, Waymo vehicles crash twice as often as human drivers.
Many Waymo accidents are “interaction errors,” meaning the vehicle doesn’t respond properly to other drivers (or fails to take other drivers into account when making a decision).
These are a few examples:
- Stopping suddenly and being hit from behind
- Not backing up when a large truck reverses in an intersection
- Running over gates, scooters, or unexpected objects in the road
- Stopping in the middle of a left turn (in front of oncoming traffic)
In 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into 367 Waymo accidents. The investigation closed with recalls of two models.
Who Is Liable in a Waymo Accident?
In Texas and elsewhere, the legal system is still adapting to self-driving cars. This means that in many cases, there’s no established precedent for liability. However, depending on the circumstances, one or more of the following may be liable:
Waymo
If the accident was caused by a failure of the vehicle software, Waymo might be held responsible.
Other Drivers
The fact that a Waymo vehicle was involved in a crash doesn’t always mean the vehicle caused the accident. If another driver’s negligence caused an accident, that driver could be liable.
Shared Liability
Some accidents involve one clearly liable party and another party who didn’t contribute to the crash. In other cases, both parties share fault.
What to Do After a Waymo Accident
Surviving a car accident is scary enough on its own. When a driverless vehicle is involved, it adds another layer of confusion to the accident’s aftermath.
If you’re in a Waymo accident, taking the following steps could help protect your health and your chances of recovering compensation:
Document the Scene
Do your best to photograph the accident scene, take close-ups of any damage, and gather contact information for witnesses.
Report the Accident
Call 911 to summon police and emergency medical personnel.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if medical personnel don’t transport you to the hospital, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible.
Contact an Attorney
Reach out to a personal injury lawyer experienced with Waymo cases. Your attorney can determine your case’s worth and help you decide whether pursuing legal action should be your next step or not.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Attorneys at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
The importance of contacting a skilled attorney after a Waymo accident can’t be overstated. Determining liability after accidents with self-driving cars can be challenging, but it’s more than that.
Waymo and other self-driving car companies have a vested interest in making their vehicles appear as safe as possible, and they are often represented by legal teams who try to minimize payouts as much as possible.
Working with an attorney can’t guarantee that you’ll recover the compensation you deserve. However, it helps level the playing field while potentially increasing your chances of success. For more information, contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Brian represents clients throughout Houston in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death, and more.
Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and community initiatives across Houston. Client testimonials highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents.
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