Understanding the Legal Implications of Self-Driving Cars in Georgia

Watch Jeb Butler Get Interviewed by Atlanta 69 on the Risks and Rewards of Driverless Vehicles in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (August 5, 2025) – Self-driving cars have continued to become more prominent in Atlanta, and their presence raises important legal considerations as well.

Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., which is the parent company for Google. They are focused on rolling out a self-driving taxi service all across the United States.

Waymo is currently testing its vehicles in several major cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. Just a few weeks ago, the company expanded that service to Atlanta, Georgia.

Customers are able to book a ride through the Uber app. Camiel Irving is the vice president of operations at Uber. He described the Waymo technology as the “future of mobility.”

Jeb Butler is a board member for the Center for Auto Safety and senior law partner at Butler Kahn. He recently sat down with Atlanta 69 to discuss some of the legal implications of having driverless vehicles on the road.

Who’s Responsible if a Waymo or Other Self-Driving Vehicle Crashes? 

The liable party for any collision with a driverless vehicle will depend in large part on what went wrong. “According to the Virgina Tech study, most of the times when Waymo vehicles get into crashes is because someone else ran into them. So, in a circumstance like that, your legal recourse would be the same as any other time. You would bring a claim against the at-fault driver,” said Butler. One of the big differences in these crashes is the availability of evidence. Waymo vehicles are equipped with all sorts of cameras and sensors to collect data.

• LIDAR: Waymo vehicles use LIDAR to map out the world around them. These sensors can detect objects several hundred meters away in all weather and lighting conditions.
• Cameras: Waymo vehicles are also equipped with an array of cameras that are capable of a complete 360 view around the vehicles. These cameras can capture every angle of a collision.
• Radar: Waymo vehicles also use radar to detect objects in the roadway in all sorts of weather, light, and traffic conditions.
• Computer: Waymo vehicles rely on onboard computers that synthesize all of the data that they take in to make decisions and actually drive.

In the event of a legal claim, Waymo can be put on notice to preserve all of the evidence related to a particular crash. This can make a big difference in terms of an attorney’s ability to demonstrate what happened. Of course, there is also the possibility that Waymo could be held at fault for a crash. “If something goes wrong with the Waymo vehicle, you’ve got legal recourse there, probably in a product liability case,” according to Butler. It would ultimately depend on what failed.

• Component Parts: When a component part on one of the Waymo vehicles fails, the company that manufactured the vehicle could be held at fault. In most cases, this may end up being Jaguar, who is producing the vehicles for Waymo.
• Sensor or AI Systems: When there is a failure of the sensors or AI systems that power the vehicle, there is a good chance this could form the basis of a product liability claim against Waymo.

Proving what happened can be difficult in any electronic defect case. Like all large tech companies, Waymo has a team of lawyers to protect their financial interests. They will never freely admit that their systems or technology were faulty and caused someone to be seriously injured or killed. This is where having an experienced legal team can make all the difference in the world. If you’ve been injured in a car accident with a Waymo or other self-driving vehicle in Georgia, do yourself a favor and seek out the guidance of an experienced Atlanta self-driving car accident attorney.

Getting Legal Help After an Accident With a Self-Driving Vehicle

We at Butler Kahn understand how difficult it can be to go through any car accident. Victims are often left with serious injuries that impair their ability to work. Trying to be fairly compensated after any collision where a self-driving vehicle was at fault can turn into a nightmare. This is where we can help.

If you or someone that you care about has been injured in an accident with a Waymo or other self-driving vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of Atlanta self-driving car accident attorneys can evaluate all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are. We have successfully recovered hundreds of millions for our deserving clients across Georgia, and we will fight hard to get you the justice that you deserve. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn