In this guide
Short answer: if a driverless car causes a crash, the company that runs it (Waymo, Tesla or Zoox) is usually the responsible party, and its insurance pays. If another driver caused it, their insurer pays, even if you were in a robotaxi. Get medical help, report the crash to police and to the company in the app, keep photos and your trip receipt, and talk to a personal injury lawyer before the filing deadline: two years in most robotaxi states, one year in Tennessee.
Robotaxis crash far less often than human drivers (see is Waymo safe?), but with hundreds of thousands of rides a week, crashes happen. Liability works differently because there is no driver to exchange details with. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Right after the crash: a checklist
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the cars block traffic.
- If you're inside the robotaxi, stay put unless there is urgent danger (fire, smoke, traffic). Waymo's rules say to stay in the car and follow the screen or Support's instructions.
- Press Support on the screen or in the app. A person at the company can see the car's data and send help.
- Take photos and video: all vehicles, the scene, road signs, the robotaxi's roof number or plate, and your injuries.
- Get a police report. Police can contact the company through its first-responder line.
- Save your trip receipt and the ride details from the app; they prove you were a passenger and give the time and route.
- Collect witness names and contacts, and the other driver's insurance if a human-driven car was involved.
- See a doctor the same day or the next, even for minor pain. Records made early carry the most weight.
Who is liable?
| Situation | Usually responsible |
|---|---|
| Robotaxi's software makes an error (runs a light, misjudges a turn) | The operating company |
| Another driver hits the robotaxi | The other driver and their insurer |
| A defect in the car or a sensor | The operator, and possibly the manufacturer (product liability) |
| Pedestrian or cyclist hit by a robotaxi | The operating company, unless the person was at fault |
| Passenger hurt while riding | Whoever caused the crash; the passenger is rarely at fault |
Several states write this into law. Texas and Arizona, for example, treat the owner of an automated vehicle as its operator for traffic law purposes. In California, since July 1, 2026, police can issue "notices of noncompliance" to companies for moving violations by their driverless cars, which are reported to the DMV.
Why robotaxi claims are different
- There's no driver to blame, so the claim goes straight to a large company with lawyers and insurers. Don't accept an early settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- The car records everything: cameras, lidar and logs show what happened. Ask a lawyer to request that the company preserve this data quickly.
- Crashes are reported to regulators: NHTSA requires companies running automated driving systems to report crashes, and the reports are public.
- Your rider terms matter: the app's terms of service may include arbitration clauses. A lawyer can tell you whether they apply to injury claims in your state.
Filing deadlines in robotaxi states
| State | Robotaxi cities | General personal injury deadline |
|---|---|---|
| California | San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego | 2 years |
| Arizona | Phoenix | 2 years |
| Texas | Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio | 2 years |
| Florida | Miami, Orlando, Tampa | 2 years (negligence claims since 2023) |
| Georgia | Atlanta | 2 years |
| Nevada | Las Vegas | 2 years |
| Tennessee | Nashville | 1 year |
| Colorado | Denver | 2 years (3 for motor vehicle cases) |
General rules only. Shorter deadlines and exceptions apply, for example for claims against public entities or for minors.
Do you need a lawyer?
For a scratch with no injuries, reporting to the company and your insurer is often enough. For any injury, a personal injury lawyer is worth a free consultation: most work on contingency (paid a share of the settlement), and robotaxi cases involve technical evidence and corporate insurers. Look for one licensed in the state where the crash happened.
If you were in the robotaxi and it wasn't a crash
For problems such as being dropped in the wrong place, a car stopping and refusing to move, or an unfair cleaning fee, use the support button in the app. Those are customer service issues, not liability claims. See Waymo rules and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Who is liable if a Waymo hits my car?
When a driverless car causes a crash, the company that operates it is usually responsible, much like an employer for its driver. Laws in states such as Arizona and Texas treat the owner of an automated vehicle as its operator. Fault still has to be established, and another driver may be partly or fully to blame.
I was a passenger in a Waymo crash. Who pays for my injuries?
As a passenger you didn't drive, so you are rarely at fault. Claims usually go against whoever caused the crash: the robotaxi company if its car was at fault, or the other driver and their insurer. Your own health and auto insurance may also apply.
Can police give a Waymo a ticket?
In California, since July 1, 2026, police can issue a 'notice of noncompliance' to the company for a moving violation by a driverless car, which must be reported to the DMV. Other states handle it through laws that make the owner the operator.
How long do I have to file an injury claim?
It depends on the state. The general limit for personal injury is two years in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Nevada, and one year in Tennessee. Talk to a lawyer well before the deadline, because exceptions apply.
Do robotaxi companies report crashes?
Yes. Under a NHTSA Standing General Order, companies operating automated driving systems must report crashes to federal regulators, and the reports are published.
Update log
- Guide published, including California's AB 1777 (in force July 1, 2026).
Sources and official texts