Waymo Crash Near Santa Monica School Raises Further Questions About Robotaxi Safety

Earlier this month, a Waymo autonomous vehicle struck a child near Grant Elementary School in Santa Monica during morning drop-off, causing minor injuries, according to reports. While the injuries were not life-threatening, the incident raises broader safety and accountability questions about how autonomous vehicles operate in school zones and other pedestrian-heavy environments — including yielding behavior, speed selection, and how they respond to sudden pedestrian movement amid congested curbside traffic.

For victims injured in crashes involving autonomous vehicles, the key issue is accountability. When a self-driving vehicle is involved, liability is often more complex than a standard crash because the driving task is performed by an automated system supported by corporate operations, software design, safety protocols, and human oversight.

Federal Scrutiny and Ongoing Safety Questions

Following the Santa Monica collision, federal regulators opened a preliminary evaluation into Waymo’s autonomous driving system, examining whether the vehicle exercised appropriate caution given its proximity to a school and pedestrian traffic.

This investigation comes amid broader regulatory attention on Waymo, including separate reports involving the company’s behavior around stopped school buses and school-zone environments. Together, these developments reflect a growing focus on how autonomous vehicles are programmed to recognize risk, prioritize vulnerable road users, and respond to real-world conditions that differ significantly from controlled testing environments.

For victims and families, these investigations matter because they can reveal system-level failures, not just momentary driving errors.

How Liability Works in Waymo Accident Cases

Unlike traditional crashes, Waymo accidents often involve multiple layers of potential responsibility. Depending on the facts, liability may extend beyond the vehicle itself and include:

• The autonomous vehicle operator or corporate entity overseeing the fleet
• Software designers responsible for perception, braking, and decision-making systems
• Safety operators or remote supervisors, if human intervention was involved
• Third parties, such as other drivers who contributed to the collision
• Entities responsible for roadway design, signage, or traffic control in certain circumstances

These cases frequently turn on technical evidence, including vehicle sensor data, system logs, internal safety protocols, and incident response records. Establishing fault requires a detailed investigation into what the vehicle “saw,” how it interpreted that information, and whether its programmed response met reasonable safety standards.

This is very different from proving negligence in a typical car accident, and it’s why autonomous vehicle injury claims demand experienced legal and technical analysis from the outset.

You May Have a Case After a Waymo Crash If:

If you or your child were injured in a collision involving a Waymo vehicle, a civil claim may be worth exploring if:

• The vehicle failed to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist
• The crash occurred in or near a school zone, crosswalk, or pickup/drop-off area
• The autonomous system misjudge speed, distance, or stopping time
• You were struck while lawfully crossing or walking near the roadway
• Waymo accepted fault or initiated an internal review
• You’re facing medical expenses, missed work, or ongoing symptoms

Even injuries initially described as “minor” can have lasting physical or emotional consequences, especially for children.

A qualified attorney can evaluate whether the vehicle’s operation, software behavior, or safety procedures contributed to the incident and whether compensation may be available.

Our Firm Represents Victims Injured in Waymo Accidents

McGee Lerer Ogrin handles complex motor vehicle injury claims, including cases involving autonomous vehicles and emerging transportation technology. Our attorneys understand how these crashes differ from traditional accidents and how insurers and corporate defendants approach liability.

Our team includes former insurance adjusters who know how these claims are evaluated behind the scenes. We leverage this insight to anticipate defenses, identify weaknesses in corporate narratives, and pursue full compensation for our clients.

We represent injury victims throughout Southern California from offices in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Long Beach. If you’d like to discuss a potential case, call (310) 775-2491 or contact us online for a FREE, confidential consultation. We’re available 24/7 to help you understand your rights and legal options.