Rideshare Law Office helps people that have been injured in robotaxi accidents throughout California. One of the newest robotaxi offerings on roads in San Francisco comes from Zoox, a company owned by Amazon. If you’ve been in an accident involving a Zoox self-driving taxi, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. Our team is here to help. We understand how the law relates to these new, unique cases. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Should You Get a Lawyer?
Despite a Zoox robotaxi being a new sight on the road in San Francisco, the inherent issues with an autonomous vehicle are still there–and can still lead to an accident. This is obviously a unique situation, but like any car accident, it could leave you facing pretty serious injuries and other losses. If you find yourself in that situation, you could really use legal help. Our team at Rideshare Law Office has the experience and resources you need, and here’s how we can help:
- Explaining your rights and what your best options are
- Investigating the accident and figuring out who’s at-fault
- Gathering evidence and information
- Filing an insurance claim then negotiating for you
- Filing a lawsuit, if need be
Most of all, we want to make things easier for you while you focus on your health and getting better. Zoox, like any robotaxi, raises tough questions about how the legal process works with newer technology. Our team understands how to approach these cases, and can make sure you get a fair result.
What Do You Need to Do After a Zoox Robotaxi Accident?
Although a Zoox robotaxi is new, the things you need to do after you’re in an accident aren’t all that different. You need to focus on your health and safety first, then try to get as much information as you can. So, when you’re in an accident, here’s what you need to do:
- Call 911 – Look for injuries on yourself and others. If anyone is hurt or there’s major damage, call 911 for medical help right away. Also, have the 911 dispatcher send the SFPD so they can manage the scene. This will provide medical and police records for you to use.
- Exchange information – Share names, phone numbers, license plates, and insurance details with other drivers and any witnesses. Be sure to get information from Zoox, usually by contacting the company–either through the app or by phone.
- Document the scene – Take photos and videos of the accident, focusing on vehicle damage, any injuries, as well as anything that might have caused the accident itself.
- Talk with your insurance – Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and share the details and evidence you collected.
In the vast majority of Zoox robotaxi accidents, you’re probably going to be injured as a passenger. However, there’s a chance that you’ll be driving your own car and be involved in an accident. Regardless, you should take these steps to form the foundation of your claim.
Who’s Responsible For a Zoox Robotaxi Accident?
A key question after a Zoox robotaxi accident is who is responsible for your injuries. In regular car accidents, the driver at fault for the accident is usually legally responsible. However, since Zoox vehicles don’t have drivers, figuring out legal responsibility–known as liability–can be more complicated. Still, the legal standard doesn’t change–it’s based on negligence.
- Negligence means someone (either one person or a group of people) failed to take reasonable steps to ensure safety, leading to the accident and injuries.
So, in one of these accidents, any of the following could be responsible:
- Zoox or Amazon – If the robotaxi has design flaws, software issues, or other defects that caused the accident, Zoox or its parent company, Amazon, could be responsible.
- Software developers – If the vehicle’s navigation or sensor systems malfunction or don’t respond correctly to road conditions, the developers of those systems might be at fault.
- Maintenance teams – If a mechanical issue, such as brake or sensor failures, led to the accident, the team in charge of maintaining the vehicle could be liable.
- Other drivers – If another driver’s reckless actions, like speeding or running a red light, contributed to the accident, they could share liability.
- City government – If poor road conditions, such as potholes, unclear signs, or malfunctioning traffic lights, played a role, the city or public agency responsible for road maintenance might be liable.
Obviously, trying to untangle liability in one of these accidents can be very difficult. Still, by gathering important information and working with our team, we can do that for you. From there, you can start thinking about the claims process and how you can get financial support for your injuries.
What Legal Options Do You Have After a Zoox Robotaxi Accident?
The main appeal of a Zoox robotaxi–and really any autonomous vehicle–is that you don’t have to worry about actually driving. While this can be convenient, this also brings up a pretty big drawback: you’re not in control of the vehicle, so it’s hard to avoid an accident. But when you’re hurt in one of these accidents, your options are still the same as any other vehicle accident:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
The goal is to secure financial support for your injuries and other losses–called “damages.” While each accident is different, you may be able to recover things like:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship and enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death expenses (in fatal accidents)
- Punitive damages (in cases of extreme recklessness)
The amount you can recover depends on the extent of your damages and the strength of your claim. To improve your chances, start building your claim as soon as possible. Remember, California typically allows only two years to file a claim, so acting quickly is very important. But equally as important is to understand how these accidents happen.
What Leads to Zoox Robotaxi Accidents?
Zoox robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles are advanced, but they still function like regular cars who share the road with them in San Francisco. Despite their technology, though, they can face similar accident risks and result in common types of injuries. Still, it’s often the following conditions and situations that lead to these accidents:
- Sensor issues – Zoox robotaxis rely heavily on sensors, so problems with them can lead to accidents.
- Software glitches – Errors or bugs in the robotaxi’s software can cause it to make incorrect decisions.
- Human oversight – Even though these taxis are autonomous, human operators off-site may fail to intervene when necessary, which can cause an accident. Similarly, sometimes the human operator might intervene at the wrong time, which can also cause an accident.
- Interactions with other vehicles – Navigating around unpredictable human-driven cars can be challenging for Zoox robotaxis.
- Weather and road conditions – San Francisco’s fog, rain, and uneven roads can pose difficulties for their systems.
- Pedestrian and cyclist safety – Zoox robotaxis may sometimes respond incorrectly to people walking or biking in busy areas.
- Complex traffic situations – Busy intersections and merging lanes in downtown or more crowded areas can be tricky for autonomous navigation.
- Emergency responses – Zoox robotaxis might struggle with how to react to emergency vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas.
No matter what the cause of an accident with a Zoox robotaxi is, it means dealing with injuries while trying to face large, well-resourced companies. Our experienced team can guide you through the recovery process.
Contact Rideshare Law Office After a Zoox Robotaxi Accident in San Francisco
If you’ve been injured in a Zoox robotaxi accident in San Francisco, Rideshare Law Office is here to help. Our team understands both the benefits and challenges of autonomous vehicle technology and knows how to navigate the complex process of pursuing compensation. We provide the legal support and guidance you need to strengthen your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
