Here’s what to do if you get into an accident with a driverless Waymo car in Miami

Miamians know already that self-driving cars are no longer some far-fetched dream for the future.

Read more 2 die after motorcycle hits tractor-trailer on U.S. 27 in Miramar: cops

Since the brand expanded and opened operations in the city this year, autonomous all-electric Waymos have taken over Miami’s streets.

But despite the allure of the futuristic transportation method that people can easily hail on their phone, some riders and other drivers have learned that having driverless cars on the streets creates complications, particularly if they are involved in accidents with other cars or pedestrians.

Despite Waymo’s claims that the autonomous cars are “making roads safer,” some passengers have had less than satisfactory experiences with them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Waymo in May after instances during which the self-driving cars collided with objects that a human driver could have easily avoided.

One of these instances occurred in January, when a Waymo drove onto the light rail tracks in Phoenix, the first city where the cars were made available to the public, causing the passenger to flee and the northbound and southbound trains to reverse routes.

As with any technology, errors occur. But what do you do if you are involved in an accident with a driverless Waymo?

The Waymo Help Center outlines the actions it wants its passengers and others involved to take.

If anyone is injured, it’s important to call 911 immediately.

On its help site, Waymo highlights that the car may continue driving after a collision “to reach a safe spot to stop.” The car’s dome light will turn on if it is aware that a collision has occurred.

If you are a passenger in the autonomous vehicle when it crashes, you can take photos or videos of the event “if you feel it’s important.” The help site also says that “limited medical coverage” is available to all riders who experience a collision, “regardless of who’s at fault or whether you have additional coverage.”

“It is extremely important to take photos and video after the collision occurs to preserve the evidence in the matter,” said Ted Hollander, an attorney with The Ticket Clinic.

Hollander also said that if you are a passenger in a Waymo that’s in a collision with another vehicle, you should get the information, such as the name and insurance, of the other driver.

Read more Everglades brush fire in Broward grows to 6,000 acres, officials say

The ride service may contact parents and guardians of riders with teen accounts as well.

“Our main focus is getting you to your destination safely, and we will help you hail another vehicle to get there,” the help site says.

Waymo’s support team is automatically notified if the vehicle crashes, and a roadside assistance representative will come to the collision site to assess the situation in person.

“Once you’ve exchanged information with us, you don’t need to wait for a Waymo representative to arrive,” Waymo says. “Our team will follow up with you if needed.”

“If you have provided the owner of the other vehicle with the required information, then it should be okay to leave unless law enforcement is already on scene and is telling you to stay for their crash investigation,” Hollander said. “ If you have damages to your vehicle or person, you may want to stay to ask the representative questions and explain and show your damages.”

Waymo says that if you are involved in a collision with one of their vehicles, you can exchange information by either calling 1-844-263-9885, emailing [email protected], filling out an online collision form or scanning the QR code on the front doors of the vehicle.

After a collision, a risk and insurance team member with Waymo will review the event and may reach out to you to get more information.

Hollander said that if a driverless Waymo causes an accident, legal approaches may shift away from driver negligence.

“If it is discovered through the discovery process that the Waymo car is defective in some way and that defect contributed to the crash, then it may become a product liability case,” Hollander said.

Read more 2 die after motorcycle hits tractor-trailer on U.S. 27 in Miramar: cops