A car without a human driver changes what you see at the scene. It does not remove the need to establish how a collision happened, who may be responsible, and which insurance applies.
Waymo opened its service to everyone in Miami and Orlando in April 2026. For local drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians, that makes driverless-car insurance a practical question.
Identify the vehicle and the technology involved
People often use "self-driving" to describe very different systems. A vehicle with driver assistance may still require a person to monitor the road and control the vehicle. A fully autonomous service may operate without that person in the driver's seat under specific conditions.
NHTSA's automation guidance distinguishes driver-assistance systems from higher levels of automation. That distinction matters when investigating whether a human driver had a duty to supervise the system.
Record the make, identifying number or plate, fleet markings, service provider, and any information available through a passenger's app. The vehicle's marketing label alone should not determine the legal analysis.
Florida has specific insurance requirements for autonomous networks
Under Florida Statutes section 627.749, a fully autonomous vehicle with its automated driving system engaged while logged onto an on-demand autonomous vehicle network or engaged in a prearranged ride must have primary liability coverage of at least $1 million for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
The coverage may be provided through the owner, the network, or a combination. These requirements concern a defined category of operations; they should not be applied automatically to every privately owned car with an automated feature.
A coverage limit is also different from the value of an individual claim. It does not guarantee a payment or establish who caused the collision.
More than one party may need investigation
Depending on the evidence, potential responsibility may involve another motorist, the vehicle owner or operating business, a maintenance provider, or a manufacturer or technology provider if a legally relevant defect contributed.
No party should be declared liable merely because its name appears on the vehicle. A manufacturer claim, for example, requires an appropriate factual and legal basis. It is not established by the fact that a crash occurred.
The investigation should consider what the vehicle did, what other road users did, the condition of the road, and whether a defect or operational problem played a role.
Preserve digital evidence early
A driverless vehicle may produce information unavailable in an ordinary witness account. Depending on the system, relevant records may include vehicle logs, sensor data, camera recordings, remote support communications, and maintenance records.
For a passenger, keep the trip receipt, ride identifier, app messages, and screenshots identifying the vehicle. Also preserve your photographs, witness details, crash report number, and medical records.
A preservation request can identify relevant records before ordinary retention practices or later work affects availability. Access to another company's data may require consent or a legal process. Do not try to access a vehicle's systems yourself.
What to do at the scene
Attend to safety and seek emergency assistance when needed. Report the collision and use the service's support channel if you are a passenger. Provide accurate information without speculating about how the software worked.
Photograph the vehicles' positions, damage, road markings, traffic controls, and identifying details when safe. If the car moves before you can take a photograph, record what you observed rather than recreating a scene and presenting it as original evidence.
Does the absence of a human driver prevent an injury claim?
No. Insurance and legal responsibility still need evaluation. The relevant parties and theories may differ from a conventional driver-negligence claim.
Is a passenger entitled to the entire policy limit?
No. Coverage availability, fault, documented losses, other claims, and applicable law all affect potential recovery.
Speak with a lawyer about a driverless-car injury
If a driverless vehicle was involved in a crash that injured you, contact Gonzalez Munoz Law for a free consultation at 305-770-6666. Our North Miami Beach car accident practice can evaluate the available evidence and coverage questions.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Coverage and legal rights depend on the facts, the policy, and applicable law. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.