Waymo's Autonomous Vehicles Flood Miami: What to Do in Case of an Accident

Waymo's self-driving taxis have become a familiar sight on the streets of Miami. With their growing presence, a practical question arises among residents: What steps should be taken if one of these driverless vehicles is involved in a collision?

According to a report from El Nuevo Herald, Waymo has set up a specific protocol for such incidents, although the legal intricacies can be more complicated than those of a conventional crash.

Immediate Actions and Protocols

The first course of action is the most urgent: if there are any injuries, immediately call 911. Waymo warns that after a collision, the vehicle might continue to move to a safer spot before stopping, and an interior roof light will activate if the system detects an impact.

Exchanging Information with Waymo

There are four ways to exchange information with the company: by calling 1-844-263-9885, emailing insurance@waymo.com, filling out an online form, or scanning the QR code found on the vehicle's front doors. Waymo's assistance team is automatically notified of any accident, and a representative will come to the scene to assess the situation.

"It is crucial to take photos and videos following the collision to preserve evidence of the incident," stated Ted Hollander, an attorney with The Ticket Clinic. If a passenger is inside the robotaxi during the crash, they should also gather details from the other involved driver, such as their name and insurance information.

Legal Implications of Autonomous Vehicle Accidents

Waymo provides limited medical coverage for all passengers involved in a collision, regardless of fault or additional insurance coverage. The company clarifies that once information is exchanged, waiting for a representative is not necessary unless directed by authorities at the scene.

From a legal perspective, accidents involving robotaxis present a different landscape compared to traditional collisions. "If during the evidence-gathering process, it is found that the Waymo vehicle had a defect that contributed to the accident, the case could shift to a matter of defective product liability," Hollander explained.

This aspect is particularly significant given recent events: in May 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Waymo following 13 incidents where robotaxis entered closed construction zones on highways. Consequently, Waymo temporarily halted highway trips in Miami and other cities on May 21, although urban routes continued as usual.

On June 18, the NHTSA announced the recall of 3,871 robotaxis to update their software via a remote upgrade. Earlier, in January 2025, a Waymo vehicle had driven onto light rail tracks in Phoenix, forcing trains in both directions to backtrack.

Waymo's Expansion in Miami

Waymo began operations in Miami in January 2026 with limited service and opened to the general public on April 15, covering around 100 square miles of Miami-Dade County, from Brickell and Wynwood to Coral Gables and Miami Beach. The company claims its vehicles have driven over 127 million miles in full autonomous mode and assert that their vehicles experience ten times fewer severe injury accidents compared to human drivers, although these figures lack independent verification.