When a Waymo or self-driving vehicle injures you in Los Angeles, you are not dealing with a distracted driver — you are dealing with a corporation whose legal team was building its defense before you left the scene. Our job is to make sure that advantage doesn't hold.
The crash happened in seconds. What comes after is unlike any conventional car accident claim — the ER visit, the follow-up appointments, the missed work, and then the discovery that there is no individual driver to pursue. Instead, there is Waymo — a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. — or a vehicle manufacturer whose legal position is that the technology performed exactly as designed. These defendants do not settle out of inconvenience. They have permanent engineering teams, national defense counsel, and public relations infrastructure. They will dispute liability using their own proprietary data. They will argue your injuries are overstated. They have done this before.
Autonomous vehicles are no longer experimental in Los Angeles. Waymo driverless robotaxis operate daily across Downtown LA, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and the Westside. California Office of Traffic Safety data shows the state recorded 1,106 pedestrian fatalities and 145 bicycle fatalities in 2023 — in Los Angeles County alone, hundreds of serious collisions involving vulnerable road users occur every year. As Waymo’s deployment footprint expands across the city, the intersection corridors, bike lanes, and pedestrian crossings of DTLA’s Grand Avenue, Hollywood Boulevard, the Santa Monica Boulevard corridor, and Venice’s Abbot Kinney are all active zones where autonomous vehicle encounters with cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers are increasing.
Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features have been involved in hundreds of documented accidents nationally. California requires manufacturers to report AV-related crashes to the DMV within 10 days — creating a paper trail of incident reports, sensor logs, and software version records that is central evidence in any claim. The challenge is getting access to it. Waymo and Tesla treat their vehicle data as proprietary. Getting it requires prompt preservation demands and, frequently, a subpoena. Every day of delay is a day that evidence becomes harder to obtain.
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim (CCP §335.1). The clock starts the moment the crash happens.
01
In a conventional car accident, liability typically falls on the at-fault driver. When there is no human driver — as in a fully autonomous Waymo robotaxi — liability runs directly to the company operating the vehicle and potentially to the vehicle or software manufacturer. California law allows you to pursue every responsible party simultaneously. Identifying all of them, and the insurance coverage behind each, requires immediate investigation before evidence is overwritten or reclassified as trade secret.
02
If the autonomous system caused the crash through a sensor failure, software defect, mapping error, or system decision that fell below the standard of reasonable and lawful conduct under California traffic law, the manufacturer can be held liable under California product liability law. You do not need to prove the company was negligent in the conventional sense — only that the product was defective and that defect caused your injury. This is often a stronger legal theory than negligence and is why these cases must be built differently from the start.
03
Waymo maintains $5,000,000 in third-party liability coverage per incident — covering passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of other vehicles. That coverage exists. What is contested is whether the company acknowledges its vehicle was at fault and what they are willing to pay without the pressure of full litigation. Waymo does not settle casually. Cases need to be built for trial to change that calculus.
04
Under California Vehicle Code §38750 and the DMV’s autonomous vehicle testing regulations, manufacturers operating AVs in California must report every collision to the DMV within 10 days. These reports — along with the vehicle’s sensor data, camera footage, software event logs, and OTA update history — are discoverable in litigation. We request them immediately. Waiting makes them harder to obtain.
California applies pure comparative fault in autonomous vehicle accident cases. Even if you were partially at fault — as a pedestrian crossing mid-block, a cyclist in a lane the system failed to read, or a driver who changed lanes — you can still recover. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not eliminated. AV companies aggressively argue contributory conduct to reduce what they pay. An attorney challenges that from the start.
2
years
from date of the accident
CCP §335.1
6
months
to file a government tort claim
*These are general deadlines. Always confirm your specific circumstances with an experienced attorney.
Every autonomous vehicle accident in Los Angeles has a different liability structure, evidence profile, and corporate defendant. We handle all of them.
As a passenger in an active Waymo trip, the company's $5,000,000 liability policy is available to you automatically. You do not need to prove fault. What matters is the full documentation of your injuries and whether Waymo's offer — if they make one — reflects what the case is actually worth. Waymo does not make generous initial offers. We build the medical record, issue preservation demands for the vehicle's data, and push back with a clear willingness to litigate.
Waymo's operating zones in Los Angeles place its vehicles on the dense surface streets of DTLA, the Santa Monica Boulevard corridor, the Hollywood grid, and Westside neighborhoods — all high-traffic areas where lane changes, left turns, and intersection navigation are constant. When a Waymo vehicle causes a collision with your car, liability runs directly to the company. The vehicle's sensor logs and camera footage record exactly what the system detected and what decision it made in the seconds before impact. We subpoena that data immediately.
Los Angeles has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. Waymo's vehicles operate in corridors where pedestrian and cyclist density is at its highest — the crosswalks of DTLA, the bike lanes along Santa Monica's bike network, the Hollywood Boulevard tourist corridor, the Venice Beach path. When an autonomous system fails to yield, misjudges a pedestrian's trajectory, or makes a left turn across an active bike lane, the legal standard is the same as any other vehicle: it must operate reasonably and lawfully. When it does not, liability is clear — but accessing the evidence that proves it requires immediate action.
Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features have been involved in hundreds of documented accidents in California. These cases involve product liability against Tesla and potential negligence by the human driver who activated or failed to monitor the system. California requires Tesla to report AV-related crashes to the DMV — those reports, combined with the vehicle's own event data recorder and Autopilot logs, form the evidentiary core of the claim. We build on both tracks simultaneously.
Commercial autonomous vehicles operating on Los Angeles County's freeway system and logistics corridors introduce federal trucking regulations alongside manufacturer and fleet operator liability. These cases have multiple defendants with separate insurance coverage. We identify every potentially liable party from the first meeting.
Sidewalk delivery robots and low-speed autonomous delivery vehicles operate under California DMV permits on Los Angeles streets and sidewalks. When one strikes a pedestrian, causes a cyclist to crash, or blocks an accessible pathway, the operating company and device manufacturer are both potentially liable. These cases settle aggressively when an attorney is involved — companies are acutely aware of the press exposure.
The attorney on the other side of a Waymo or Tesla claim in Los Angeles is not a local insurance adjuster working from a claims office. It is a corporate legal team that handles these cases as part of a systematic process designed to minimize liability. You need representation that builds every case for trial from the first meeting — because with these defendants, the credible threat of a jury seeing their technology fail in front of them is often the only thing that produces a real offer.
You focus on your recovery. We handle everything else.
You speak with George at every stage of the case — not a case manager, not a paralegal. When a corporation's legal team is moving, the last thing you need is to wonder whether your message has been passed along. George handles your case directly from the first call through resolution.
Waymo's sensor logs, camera footage, and software event records are preserved on the vehicle's internal systems and in the company's cloud infrastructure. We send preservation demands the same day you retain us. Every day of delay makes those records harder to obtain and easier for the company to characterize as proprietary and confidential.
If we don't recover for you, you owe nothing. Zero out-of-pocket cost to start. Our interests are aligned with yours at every point in the case.
Autonomous vehicle manufacturers and their insurers respond to trial preparation, not demand letters alone. Every case we take is built from the first meeting as though it will be presented to a jury in Los Angeles County Superior Court. That preparation changes what gets offered before trial.
California law allows injured victims to recover every category of loss caused by the autonomous vehicle and the company behind it. We build claims that account for all of them — including future costs that AV companies and their insurers never voluntarily include in initial offers.
After a self-driving car accident in Los Angeles, multiple insurance policies may apply to your claim. Most people focus on the AV company’s policy — but that is not always the complete picture.
We identify every potentially applicable policy in every case. Missing a coverage layer in a self-driving car accident case is leaving real money behind.
| Court House Lawyers | Typical PI Firm | |
|---|---|---|
|
Case Review |
Same day, often within hours |
2–3 business days |
|
Attorney Access |
You speak directly with the attorney on your case |
Routed through a case manager or paralegal |
|
Evidence Preservation |
Same-day preservation demands for sensor data, camera footage, software logs, and DMV incident reports |
Often delayed — AV data becomes harder to obtain with every passing day |
|
Liability Investigation |
We identify every responsible party: AV operator, software developer, vehicle manufacturer, third-party driver |
Many firms pursue only the most obvious defendant and stop there |
|
Insurance Strategy |
We identify every applicable coverage layer — AV company policy, manufacturer exposure, your own UM/UIM, MedPay, employer coverage — from day one |
Many firms pursue only the AV company’s policy and miss additional recovery |
|
Data Strategy |
We treat the company’s own data as the primary evidence source — and the starting point for challenging their liability position |
Most PI firms are not built to litigate against technology companies or subpoena proprietary vehicle data |
|
Trial Readiness |
Every case prepared for trial; AV companies know it |
Settlement-only firms get lower offers — especially from corporate tech defendants |
|
Fees |
No win, no fees. Period. |
Can say the same, but watch for hidden costs at settlement |
George Mkrtchyan
Managing Attorney
George Mkrtchyan is the Managing Attorney of Court House Lawyers, a Glendale-based personal injury firm serving clients across Los Angeles County and California. Over the past decade, George has recovered millions for clients in car accident, rideshare, pedestrian, and product liability cases — including cases involving government entities, major corporations, and insurers who denied all liability until litigation made the alternative more expensive.
Before opening Court House Lawyers, George worked at a large Century City firm — in the heart of Los Angeles — where he saw firsthand what happens when personal injury cases are treated as volume: files sit untouched, clients go months without updates, and cases settle for far less than they are worth because nobody has built them properly. He opened Court House Lawyers so that every client speaks directly with the attorney on their case — not a paralegal, not a case manager — and every case is prepared as though it will go to trial.
Autonomous vehicle cases are personal injury cases with a more sophisticated defendant on the other side. The same fundamentals apply: get the evidence before the company reclassifies it, build the medical record completely, identify every liable party and every coverage layer, and be prepared to walk into a Los Angeles County courtroom if the number does not reflect the case’s actual value.
“Corporations with self-driving vehicles operating in Los Angeles are betting that most injured people do not understand what evidence exists or how to get it. Our job is to make sure that bet costs them.“
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was initially assigned 85% fault in a left-turn collision. After George and case manager Grant Abadzhyan took over, the fault assignment was reversed to zero and the client recovered full compensation.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Three people were injured in the same accident, each with separate representation. George Mkrtchyan and Grant Abadzhyan secured the largest individual recovery of the three — the result of thorough early documentation and a faster demand strategy.
Personal Injury · Rideshare
Client injured in an Uber accident initially received nothing from the insurer. Court House Lawyers secured a $35,000 settlement within 30 days of filing a lawsuit.
Personal Injury · UIM Arbitration
Out-of-state underinsured motorist policy. The insurer refused to pay fairly. Court House Lawyers demanded arbitration and secured the full policy limits for the client
Personal Injury · Government Entity
A wheelchair-bound client was thrown forward when a Metro conductor slammed on the brakes. Metro denied the claim outright. Court House Lawyers filed, obtained the conductor’s own footage — including a statement caught on Metro’s camera — and settled for $35,000.
Personal Injury · Car Accident
Client was offered $500 after a school bus accident. Court House Lawyers filed suit and recovered $50,000 — 100x the original offer.
Tell us what happened, what vehicle was involved, what your injuries are, and what information you have about the incident. We will give you our honest assessment of the case, every potentially liable party, what evidence needs to be preserved immediately, and what the claim is worth — even if you decide not to hire us.
George handles your case. Not a junior associate. Not a case manager. The attorney you speak with on day one is the attorney who takes your case to resolution.
Waymo's sensor data, camera footage, and software event logs are preserved on the vehicle's internal systems and in the company's cloud infrastructure. We send preservation demands the day you retain us. This is almost always the most time-sensitive step in any autonomous vehicle case in Los Angeles.
AV accidents in Los Angeles can involve the vehicle operator, the software developer, the hardware manufacturer, and in some cases a third-party driver or a government entity. We identify every defendant and every insurance policy from the start.
We document your injuries, medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering — and present that documentation to every applicable insurer with full case preparation and a clear willingness to file in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
If the manufacturer or insurer refuses to pay what the case is worth, we file. Every case is prepared from the first meeting as though it will be tried. In a city where Waymo's legal team has seen every tactic and defends these cases systematically, that preparation is what produces real results.
If you need specialist care and cannot afford it upfront, we connect you with experienced providers in Los Angeles and the surrounding area who treat accident victims on a lien basis — no cost until the case resolves.
California requires AV operators to file a collision report with the DMV within 10 days of any accident. We request that report the same day you retain us — it is one of the most important pieces of early evidence in any autonomous vehicle claim and is available on a shorter window than most people realize.
No retainer. No hourly bills. If we don't recover for you, you owe nothing. Under California law, when you prevail against an autonomous vehicle company, your attorney fees are paid by the defendant — not deducted from your recovery. You keep everything we win for you.
We talk through the incident, which vehicle and company were involved, your injuries, and the insurance information you have. You walk away knowing what your claim is worth, who is potentially liable, and what evidence needs to be preserved before another day passes.
We send same-day requests for the autonomous vehicle's sensor data, camera footage, pre-crash event logs, and any DMV incident report filed by the manufacturer. We also request any available surveillance footage from the crash location — in Los Angeles, commercial cameras cover virtually every block of the corridors where Waymo operates.
We identify every potentially liable party — the AV operator, the software developer, the hardware manufacturer, any human safety driver, and any third-party driver whose conduct contributed. Each may carry separate insurance coverage and separate legal exposure.
We build a complete picture of your injuries — current treatment costs, future care needs, impact on your ability to work, and the full non-economic toll. In cases involving serious injury, we work with medical experts to project long-term costs accurately and present them in a format that holds up in litigation.
We send a comprehensive demand to every applicable insurer and corporate defendant. We push back against lowball responses with documentation, applicable product liability law, and a clear willingness to try the case.
If any defendant refuses to pay what the case is worth, we file in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Waymo and similar defendants respond to the credible threat of a jury seeing their technology fail in real time in front of Los Angeles residents. We are prepared to take it there.
* These are general deadlines. Always confirm your specific circumstances with an experienced attorney.
Even as a pedestrian or cyclist on Hollywood Boulevard or the Santa Monica bike path, your own auto policy may cover you after a self-driving car accident.
Yes. Companies like Waymo and Tesla are legal entities that can be sued in California courts, including Los Angeles County Superior Court. A claim against an autonomous vehicle company is typically brought as a product liability claim — arguing that the vehicle’s technology was defective and that defect caused the injury — or as a negligence claim against the operator of the vehicle. In most cases, both theories apply and are pursued simultaneously.
Liability depends on what caused the crash. If the autonomous system failed through a sensor error, software defect, or mapping inaccuracy, the company operating the vehicle and the manufacturer are both potentially liable. If a third-party driver’s conduct forced the autonomous vehicle into a collision, that driver shares liability. California’s pure comparative fault system allows you to pursue every responsible party simultaneously — liability is not an either/or question.
The first thing that matters is evidence. Waymo vehicles record continuous sensor, camera, and software data. The company has a legal obligation to preserve incident data under California DMV reporting requirements — but accessing that data for your claim requires prompt legal action and formal preservation demands. The next step is identifying which parties are liable and what insurance coverage applies. With Waymo specifically, $5,000,000 in third-party liability coverage per incident is available. The question is whether the company acknowledges the vehicle was at fault and what the full value of your injuries represents.
Yes. Waymo operates under a California DMV deployment permit and is subject to California personal injury law. If the vehicle’s operation caused your injury, you have a direct claim against Waymo LLC. The claim typically runs through Waymo’s commercial insurance carrier, though direct litigation against the company is available when necessary. Waymo is a sophisticated defendant that defends these cases aggressively — which is exactly why the case needs to be built for trial from the start.
Call 911 immediately and make sure LAPD or the relevant law enforcement agency creates an incident report that identifies the vehicle as a Waymo autonomous vehicle. Photograph the vehicle’s exterior markings and ID numbers — there is no human driver to exchange information with. Document the crash scene, any property damage, and your visible injuries. Do not give a statement to any Waymo or Alphabet representative. Seek medical attention the same day even if pain is not immediately severe. Then call an attorney before the company’s claims team contacts you — they will reach out quickly.
Waymo will present their own vehicle’s data as evidence that the system performed correctly. That position is the starting point of their defense, not the conclusion of the inquiry. Independent expert analysis of the sensor logs, camera footage, and pre-crash decision data frequently tells a different story than the company’s own interpretation. We do not accept a corporate defendant’s reading of their own records as the final answer.
Nothing upfront and nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from the recovery at the end of the case. If we do not recover for you, you owe nothing.
Report the accident immediately. Make sure the responding officer — LAPD on surface streets, CHP on freeways — documents that the vehicle was an autonomous vehicle and records the company name and vehicle ID. This is the first official record of the incident and creates the foundational evidence trail.
There is no human driver to exchange information with. The Waymo or AV vehicle will have an external vehicle identification number and company markings. Photograph them clearly before the vehicle moves. Also photograph the vehicle's sensor array — the lidar units, cameras, and radar equipment visible on the exterior.
The crash scene, your vehicle, property damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and your visible injuries. In Los Angeles, note the locations of any surveillance cameras on nearby buildings or traffic signals — that footage may be the most important evidence in the case and disappears within days.
A Waymo or manufacturer representative may arrive at the scene or contact you afterward. Do not give a statement. Do not accept any form of documentation from them without an attorney present. Tell them you have retained legal representation and they will be in contact.
Go to the emergency room or urgent care the same day even if pain is not immediately severe. Adrenaline masks injury. A documented same-day medical assessment is critical evidence and establishes the timeline of your injuries. Follow every follow-up recommendation your doctor makes.
Call (818) 293-8293 — Free, same-day review. We tell you what evidence to preserve, who is liable, and what your claim is worth before you speak with anyone from the company involved.
10
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS
Trusted Los Angeles self-driving car accident attorney holding Waymo, Tesla, and autonomous vehicle companies accountable — recovering full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and everything the crash took from you.
You didn’t cause this. You shouldn’t be the one paying for it. Uber, Lyft, and Waymo have legal teams working on your case before you’ve left the scene.
From our Glendale office, we represent rideshare accident victims across California — including Glendale, Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and statewide. The earlier we get involved, the stronger your case.
Call today. The review is free and there is no obligation.
