Every day around Phoenix, Chandler, or Tempe, you can spot cars gliding through traffic with no one behind the wheel. What felt futuristic a few years ago is now part of Arizona’s daily commute.
It’s exciting, until one of those cars hits someone. Then it’s confusing, frightening, and life-changing. If you’ve been hurt in a self-driving car accident, you’re not alone. Here’s what you should know about how these vehicles work, why accidents still happen, and what Arizona law says about your rights.
What Are Self-Driving Cars?
“Self-driving” doesn’t always mean driverless. Most vehicles on the road today are partially automated, still requiring a human to monitor the system.
Here’s a quick look at the automation scale:
| Level | Description |
| 0 | No automation — the human does all driving. |
| 1–2 | Partial automation — systems like adaptive cruise or lane-keeping assist help, but you stay in control. |
| 3 | Conditional automation — the car can drive itself in some settings, but still needs you to be ready to take over. |
| 4-5 | Full automation — the vehicle handles everything. At these levels, no human driver is needed. |
In Arizona, companies like Waymo already operate Level 4 vehicles in metro Phoenix. Tesla’s Autopilot and “Full Self-Driving” features are still Level 2—they assist drivers but don’t replace them.
These vehicles rely on lidar, radar, cameras, GPS, and advanced AI software to detect the world around them and make split-second decisions. They don’t get tired or distracted, but that doesn’t make them flawless. Sensors can misread signals, software can malfunction, and unpredictable human drivers can still cause collisions.
When the automated system is engaged, the system itself counts as the driver under Arizona law. The company that filed the required paperwork with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Department of Public Safety (DPS) can be cited or held liable for traffic violations or injuries.
But even with cutting-edge technology, crashes still happen.
Self-Driving Car Accidents in Arizona: What’s Really Causing Them
Autonomous cars promise fewer crashes overall, yet serious incidents have already occurred on Arizona roads. In 2018, an Uber self-driving SUV struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe—the first fatality involving an autonomous vehicle in the U.S. In 2024, Waymo recalled 672 vehicles after two driverless cars in Phoenix hit a low pole, prompting software and map updates. The following year, a motorcyclist in Tempe died after rear-ending a Waymo vehicle; investigators said a second car struck the rider after the collision.
Even as safety improves, these accidents show that self-driving cars aren’t immune to error. The main causes include:
- Sensor or Software Malfunctions – Faulty or obstructed sensors can misinterpret surroundings, while outdated or buggy software may react too late to obstacles.
- Human Error or Misuse – Many crashes occur when drivers rely too heavily on automation or fail to take control when prompted.
- Mapping or Update Errors – Outdated mapping data can cause vehicles to misread roads, construction zones, or new traffic patterns.
- Unpredictable Human Drivers or Pedestrians – No system can perfectly predict sudden lane changes, jaywalkers, or red-light runners.
- Adverse Weather and Poor Road Conditions – Arizona’s monsoon storms, dust, and glare can confuse sensors and limit visibility.
- Manufacturing or Design Defects – Faulty hardware or poor calibration can make vehicles unsafe from the start.
While these vehicles are designed to prevent crashes, accidents can still occur due to both technical issues and human factors. When they do, determining the exact cause requires access to digital vehicle data and expert analysis.
What’s New About Self-Driving Cars in Arizona
Arizona continues to lead the nation in testing and deploying autonomous vehicles, and several major developments over the past year have reinforced the state’s role as a hub for innovation.
In 2024, Waymo released peer-reviewed data from its Safety Impact Report, showing that its fully driverless vehicles in the Phoenix metro area experienced 78% fewer injury crashes and 62% fewer police-reported collisions compared to human drivers. The study, based on more than 20 million miles driven in Arizona, suggests that mature self-driving systems can outperform humans in certain conditions, but experts caution that these numbers come from controlled urban zones where the technology performs best.
Meanwhile, Tesla expanded into Arizona in 2025 after receiving approval to test its “robotaxis” with safety monitors on public roads in the Phoenix area. These trials mark the company’s first large-scale testing in the state, though they are limited to non-commercial operations. Unlike Waymo’s fully driverless rides, Tesla’s vehicles still require human oversight and remain in the advanced testing phase.
Together, these developments confirm Arizona’s position at the forefront of the self-driving revolution, backed by clear and forward-thinking state laws.
Arizona’s Laws on Self-Driving Cars
Arizona is one of the most permissive states for autonomous-vehicle testing and operation, but it’s not a free-for-all.
Under A.R.S. § 28-9702, companies can operate fully driverless vehicles only after filing with ADOT and DPS:
- A Law-Enforcement Interaction Plan explaining how police can identify, stop, and interact with the vehicle after a crash or violation.
- A Written Safety Statement proving that the car meets federal safety standards or has a valid NHTSA exemption, can achieve a minimal-risk condition if its system fails, and has proper registration, insurance, and licensing.
If a company fails to file, ADOT can issue a cease-and-desist order immediately, stopping its vehicles from operating on public roads.
Even with these safeguards, self-driving crashes still occur, and when they do, liability questions are far more complex than in traditional accidents.
Who’s at Fault in an Arizona Self-Driving Car Accident?
Determining liability takes careful investigation. Depending on what went wrong, several parties could share fault:
- The manufacturer: Self-driving car manufacturers are responsible for producing products that are safe for consumers to use. If they produce a product that causes harm to consumers, they can be held liable for resulting injuries and damages.
- The owner or operator: Although self-driving cars are increasingly self-sufficient, most on the road today still require an engaged operator to control various functions. As a result, operators still bear some responsibility for any accidents that occur while they’re behind the wheel.
- The software provider: Software providers develop and supply the safety features that self-driving cars are equipped with, like sensors. If this technology malfunctions or fails, resulting in an accident, the software provider may be found at fault.
Because multiple parties can be at fault, these cases often involve shared liability. For instance, an inattentive operator might be partly responsible for not intervening, while a manufacturer could also be liable for distributing a defective system, or an owner could be liable for failing to inspect/maintain the vehicle.
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation, but it is reduced by your share of responsibility. However, in every case, proving fault and presenting strong evidence are key factors in building a solid claim.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Self-Driving Car Accident?
Proving liability in an autonomous vehicle crash isn’t simple. These vehicles collect enormous amounts of data that can reveal exactly what went wrong, but accessing that information is often complex and time-sensitive. Key evidence in these cases may include:
- Event data recorders (EDRs) that capture vehicle speed, braking, and system activity in the seconds before the crash.
- Sensor and camera logs showing how the car detected other vehicles, pedestrians, or road hazards.
- Software update and maintenance records that may reveal whether the vehicle’s system was outdated or malfunctioning.
- Law enforcement reports and witness statements that help establish what happened from multiple perspectives.
Each layer of information helps determine whether the fault lies with the vehicle’s system, its manufacturer, or a human driver. Because much of this data can be overwritten or lost quickly, it’s important to act really fast.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A Self-Driving Car Accident?
Accident?
In Arizona, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, but exceptions to this time limit can apply. That rule usually applies to self-driving car accidents as well.
However, these cases often involve multiple potential defendants, for example, the vehicle manufacturer, the software developer, the vehicle owner, and sometimes a corporate fleet operator. Because these parties may be based outside Arizona or operate under federal safety regulations, additional notice or procedural requirements can come into play.
If the vehicle was part of a city-contracted or publicly funded program, you may need to file a formal notice of claim within 180 days of the accident under Arizona’s government-entity rules.
Since much of the critical vehicle data can be lost quickly, it’s best to start the process early so your attorney can preserve evidence and meet every deadline.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive After A Self-Driving Car Accident?
Compensation in a self-driving car case depends on the severity of your injuries, property damage, and how fault is shared among the involved parties. Because these crashes often include corporate or manufacturing defendants, the potential claim value can be higher, but proving fault usually requires more technical evidence.
You may be entitled to recover both for economic losses, such as medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and vehicle repairs, and for non-economic losses, such as the human impact, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and diminished quality of life.
What to Do After a Self-Driving Car Crash in Arizona
Being hit by a self-driving vehicle can feel surreal and confusing. But what you do in the first two days can protect your health, your rights, and your case.
- Get medical help and call 911. Even minor symptoms can worsen later, and emergency reports are essential for documentation.
- Document the scene. Take photos of vehicle damage, license plates, road signs, and injuries. Capture the car’s make, model, and any company markings.
- Get company information. Arizona law requires every autonomous fleet to provide contact details through its Law-Enforcement Interaction Plan. Ask officers for that information.
- Note passengers or remote operators. Some test vehicles still use human monitors whose input may clarify what went wrong.
- Preserve evidence quickly. Data from sensors, radar, and cameras can be overwritten in days.
- Contact an attorney promptly. A lawyer can send a spoliation letter to ensure that crucial digital data and logs are preserved before they’re lost.
Taking these steps early helps ensure that vital evidence is preserved and your right to fair compensation stays protected.
How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Self-driving car accident cases move fast and require technical knowledge of both state law and vehicle systems. At Esquire Law, our Arizona-based car accident attorneys have extensive experience handling these complex claims across Phoenix and throughout the state.
We investigate who’s responsible, whether it’s the manufacturer, software provider, or fleet operator, secure and analyze digital vehicle data, work directly with ADOT, DPS, and insurers, and pursue fair settlements or court action when necessary.
These cases can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. You focus on healing, we handle everything else.