Pedestrian or cyclist hit by a Waymo or robotaxi in California: reports and evidence
Driverless robotaxis now share streets, crosswalks, and bike lanes in parts of California, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. If one struck you while you were walking, biking, or riding a scooter, there is no driver to exchange information with. This guide explains what records may exist, how to find them, and what you can do to protect your health and your options.
First: your health and the scene
- Call 911 and get medical care. Head, neck, and soft-tissue injuries may not show symptoms right away.
- Photograph the vehicle, including the company name, any fleet or vehicle number on the body, the license plate, and where it stopped relative to the crosswalk, bike lane, or curb.
- Write down the exact time and location. These details help match your incident to company and government records later.
- Ask the responding officer for the report number and the name of the police or CHP agency.
- Get witness names and phone numbers, and note nearby businesses, homes, or buses that may have cameras.
- Photograph your injuries, your bike or scooter, and your clothing and helmet, and keep damaged items.
The DMV autonomous vehicle collision report (form OL 316)
Companies that operate autonomous vehicles under California DMV permits generally must report collisions involving their vehicles that cause property damage, injury, or death to the DMV within 10 days, using form OL 316, the Report of Traffic Collision Involving an Autonomous Vehicle. The DMV posts redacted copies on its Autonomous Vehicle Collision Reports web page, listed by company and collision date.
The report usually includes the company’s description of how the collision happened. Remember that it is the company’s own account. It can be compared with the police report, video, and what you and witnesses remember. You can also share safety concerns with the DMV through its autonomous vehicle incident reporting page.
Other records that may exist
- The police or CHP traffic collision report from the agency that responded.
- Federal crash reports. NHTSA’s Standing General Order requires companies to report certain crashes involving automated driving systems, and NHTSA publishes the data.
- The robotaxi’s own camera, lidar, and sensor data, which may show what the system detected and how it responded.
- Remote assistance records showing whether a remote operator was in contact with the vehicle.
- Nearby video from businesses, homes, transit vehicles, and other cars, which is often overwritten within days or weeks.
The operating company controls its vehicle data, so a prompt written request to preserve it, often sent by an attorney, can be important.
Police can issue a notice to the company
Under a California law that took effect July 1, 2026 (AB 1777), a peace officer who observes a driverless vehicle allegedly violating a traffic law can issue a Notice of Autonomous Vehicle Noncompliance to the manufacturer, which must forward it to the DMV. If an officer mentions issuing one in your incident, write down the officer’s name and badge number; the notice may help show what happened.
Who may be responsible
Claims usually focus on the company that operates the robotaxi, and possibly the vehicle or technology manufacturer if a defect contributed. A human driver may also share fault, for example by causing a chain-reaction crash, and a public agency may be involved if a dangerous road condition played a role. Under California’s comparative fault rule, a pedestrian or cyclist who was partly at fault may still be able to recover a reduced amount.
Be careful with early calls
The operator’s claims team or insurer may contact you soon after the collision. You can be polite and share basic facts, but consider getting advice before giving a recorded statement, signing a release, or accepting a quick payment, especially before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Watch the deadlines
Most California personal injury claims must be filed within two years, and claims against a city or other public entity generally require a written government claim within six months. See our California statute of limitations guide, and for general steps after any collision, hit by a self-driving car or robotaxi: what to do.
Have questions about your situation? An attorney can review the facts with you for free and with no obligation.
General information only, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and no particular outcome is guaranteed.
Related articles
- Hit by a self-driving car or robotaxi: what to do and your options
- Waymo or robotaxi accident as a passenger: what to do next
- Crashed while using Tesla Autopilot or FSD? Your rights as a driver or passenger
- Injured in a robotaxi or by a driverless car: who may be responsible
- What to do after a self-driving or driver-assist crash
- Who may be liable in a driver-assist crash?
- California statute of limitations for personal injury