What to Do If You’re in a Crash Involving a Waymo in Miami

If you were injured in a crash involving a Waymo autonomous vehicle in Miami, you may not know what steps to take or who is responsible for paying your medical bills and damages. Wolfson & Leon has represented injured victims since 1963. Our Miami Waymo accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you pursue full compensation.

Introduction: Waymo Robotaxis Are Arriving in Miami

Driverless vehicles are no longer an experiment—they’re now a reality on city streets across the country, and Miami is next. Waymo, the autonomous-vehicle division of Alphabet, has begun rolling out its fully driverless robotaxis in South Florida. The expansion includes areas such as:

• Miami Beach
• Brickell & Downtown
• Little Havana
• Coral Gables
• Wynwood & Midtown
• Edgewater & Upper East Side
• Hialeah, Doral, and Miami Gardens

Waymo vehicles operate without human drivers. Instead, they rely on sensors, radar, lidar, cameras, high-definition maps, and complex software decision-making.

Even with advanced technology, crashes can still occur.

If you’re hurt in a collision involving a Waymo—whether riding as a passenger, driving your own car, or walking or biking—you need to know what to do next, how Florida law applies, and what insurance covers your injuries.

Wolfson & Leon is here to help.
For your free consultation, call (305) 285-1115.

Understanding Waymo Crashes: Why They Are Different

Waymo crashes are governed by a combination of:

• Autonomous vehicle laws (Florida Statutes § 316.85)
• AV insurance requirements (§ 627.749)
• Transportation Network Company (TNC) rules (§ 627.748)
• Florida’s no-fault PIP insurance
• Revised comparative negligence standards

Unlike Uber or Lyft, Waymo has no human driver in the seat. Liability focuses on:

• The autonomous driving system,
• The AV network operator (Waymo),
• The vehicle owner (Waymo),
• Insurance requirements specific to AV fleets, and
• Data logs, sensors, and decision-making algorithms.

That makes these cases more complex than traditional motor-vehicle accidents.

Waymo Safety: What the Data Actually Shows

Waymo publishes safety data, but the most important information comes from peer-reviewed research. In a large independent study covering 56.7 million miles of rider-only autonomous operations, researchers found:

• 80% fewer injury-producing crashes than human drivers
• Up to 96% fewer intersection-related crashes
• 82–92% fewer pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle injuries
• No category where Waymo performed worse than human drivers

Still, the presence of advanced safety does not eliminate risk. Miami’s crowded roads, aggressive driving habits, poor visibility during storms, and unpredictable pedestrian traffic create conditions where collisions can still occur.

When they do, victims often need legal help to understand who is responsible.

Common Causes of Waymo Crashes in Miami

Waymo crashes may happen for reasons involving the system, the environment, or other human drivers.

1. Human Drivers Causing the Accident

Many Waymo crashes in other states have occurred because human drivers:

• Ran red lights
• Made unsafe lane changes
• Rear-ended slowing Waymo vehicles
• Drove impaired
• Pulled out unexpectedly
• Ignored pedestrian or bike lanes

Aggressive driving in Miami, especially on I-95, SR 836, I-195, US-1, and Biscayne Boulevard—increases these risks.

2. Sensor or System Errors

Autonomous systems may misread:

• Lane markings
• Pedestrians stepping off curbs
• Road debris
• Cyclists weaving through traffic
• Construction zones

3. Mapping and Environmental Issues

Miami has:

• Flash flooding
• Heavy thunderstorms
• Areas with low visibility
• Crowded nightlife zones (Wynwood, Brickell, Miami Beach)

All can challenge sensor systems.

4. Pedestrian and Cyclist Activity

Tourist-heavy zones like South Beach, Downtown, and Little Havana have unpredictable foot and bike traffic.

Common Injuries After a Waymo Crash

Victims may suffer:

• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Fractures
• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Facial trauma
• Psychological injuries

Pedestrians and cyclists face much higher risks, especially in busy areas like Coral Gables Miracle Mile, Brickell Walkway, or Ocean Drive.

What to Do Immediately After a Crash Involving a Waymo

1. Call 911 Immediately

Tell the operator that an autonomous vehicle was involved. Miami police must document AV collisions carefully.

2. Document EVERYTHING

Take photos or video of:

• Waymo vehicle from multiple angles
• Damage to your car or bike
• Injuries
• Traffic signals
• Weather
• Road conditions
• Waymo’s sensor array
• Vehicle ID number (printed on the Waymo)

3. Get Witness Information

Tourists, pedestrians, cyclists, rideshare drivers, and other motorists can help establish what happened.

4. Do Not Communicate With Waymo Representatives

Waymo or their insurer may contact you quickly.
Do NOT provide recorded statements without a lawyer.

5. Seek Medical Care Right Away

Even mild pain can indicate serious injury. Early diagnosis helps treatment and your injury claim.

6. Call Wolfson & Leon

Our team investigates AV crashes, preserves digital evidence, and handles communication with insurers.

Understanding Liability in Waymo Crashes

Determining fault in an AV crash is different from a human-driver crash.

Evidence may include:

• Waymo’s internal logs
• Lidar and radar data
• High-definition maps
• Software decision-making
• Camera footage
• GPS and location data
• Braking and acceleration records
• System alerts or warnings

Wolfson & Leon works with experts who understand AV technical evidence.

Insurance Rules for Waymo in Florida: What You MUST Know

Florida has a unique AV insurance framework.

1. Waymo Must Carry $1,000,000 Liability Minimum

This covers:

• Death
• Bodily injury
• Property damage

2. Waymo Must Carry PIP Coverage

Passengers and vehicle occupants may access PIP for medical bills and lost wages.

3. UM/UIM Is NOT Required—but Must Be Offered

This is the legally accurate part many articles get wrong.

Waymo can reject UM/UIM just like Uber and Lyft.

UM/UIM is expensive in Florida, and many companies opt out.
If Waymo rejects UM/UIM:

• Passengers may rely on their own UM/UIM
• Drivers hit by Waymo may also need their own UM
• Pedestrians/cyclists without UM are vulnerable

This makes your personal UM/UIM coverage extremely important.

4. Waymo Must Maintain Continuous Coverage While Operating

Unlike Uber or Lyft, there are no coverage gaps, because no human driver is involved.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Waymo accident cases require:

• Technical analysis
• Expert evaluation
• Preservation of digital evidence
• Understanding of AV statutes
• Insurance negotiation
• Comparative fault analysis

Wolfson & Leon can help with:

• Medical documentation
• Economic and noneconomic damages
• UM/UIM claims
• Third-party liability
• Wrongful death claims
• Litigation, if needed

You pay nothing unless we win.

Florida Laws That Affect Your Case

Comparative Negligence (Modified)

You must be 50% or less at fault to recover.

Statute of Limitations

Most injury cases now have a 2-year deadline.

Florida No-Fault Rules

PIP applies first, then BI, then UM/UIM.

For more on Florida injury law, visit our blog:
https://www.miamipersonalinjuryattorneyblog.net/archives/

Local Miami Roads Where Waymo Crashes May Occur

You could encounter Waymo vehicles on:

• I-95, I-395, I-195
• US-1
• Brickell Avenue
• South Dixie Highway
• Biscayne Boulevard
• Alton Road
• Collins Avenue
• NW 7th Street
• Flagler Street
• Doral Boulevard
• Hialeah Expressway

Dense traffic, sudden lane changes, and tourism-heavy corridors create risk even with autonomous technology.

FAQ: Waymo Crashes in Miami

1. Who pays if a Waymo vehicle caused the crash?

Waymo’s $1 million liability coverage applies.

2. What if another driver caused the crash?

Your PIP applies, and you may pursue the other driver’s BI and your own UM/UIM.

3. Can I sue Waymo for an AV system malfunction?

Yes. Claims may involve software errors, perception/sensor failures, or unreasonable system behavior.

4. What if Waymo rejected UM/UIM?

You may need to rely on your personal UM/UIM policy.

5. Do pedestrian and bicycle victims have protection?

Yes. Claims may be filed against Waymo’s liability coverage. UM/UIM may also apply.

Call Wolfson & Leon — Your Miami Waymo Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in a crash involving a Waymo in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Wesley Hills, Kendall, Doral, Hialeah, or anywhere in Miami-Dade County, you deserve experienced legal representation.

Wolfson & Leon has helped Florida accident victims since 1963. We know how to handle complex autonomous vehicle claims and will fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (305) 285-1115 for your free consultation with a Miami Waymo accident lawyer at Wolfson & Leon.

No fees unless we win for you.