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Miami Robotaxi & Robot Injury Claims

Miami: Robotaxi & Robot Injury Legal Resources
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Miami has emerged as a key market for both autonomous vehicles and sidewalk delivery robots. With Waymo launching fully driverless robotaxi operations in November 2025 and companies like Serve Robotics deploying food delivery robots in Brickell and Miami Beach, Miami residents and visitors face new transportation options—and new risks when things go wrong on streets and sidewalks alike.

The Robotaxi Landscape in Miami
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Miami’s unique combination of dense urban development, sprawling suburbs, complex traffic patterns, and challenging weather conditions makes it a significant test for autonomous vehicle technology.

Waymo Operations
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Waymo launched fully autonomous vehicle operations in Miami on November 18, 2025, marking a major expansion of its robotaxi service:

  • Initial operations cover Miami-Dade County from Doral to Bal Harbour to South Miami
  • The fleet uses all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles
  • Operations began with employee rides, with public rides planned for 2026
  • Waymo partnered with Moove for fleet management, announced December 2024
  • Currently not operating on highways, though Waymo does use freeways in California and Arizona

Miami represents Waymo’s first major East Coast expansion and tests the company’s systems against conditions including:

  • Heavy afternoon thunderstorms
  • High humidity affecting sensors
  • Sun glare from low-angle tropical sun
  • Complex traffic patterns mixing tourists, commuters, and delivery vehicles

Broader Expansion Plans
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Miami is part of a wave of Waymo expansion announced in late 2025. The company plans to bring robotaxis to 19 additional U.S. cities in the next one to two years, with Miami among the first to launch.

Sidewalk Delivery Robots in Miami
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Beyond robotaxis, Miami has become a hotspot for autonomous sidewalk delivery robots. These compact robots navigate sidewalks and crosswalks to deliver food from local restaurants, creating new liability concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users.

Serve Robotics
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Serve Robotics launched autonomous delivery in the Miami metro area in February 2025, bringing sidewalk delivery robots to two of the city’s busiest neighborhoods:

  • Operations cover Miami Beach and Brickell neighborhoods
  • Robots deliver via the Uber Eats app
  • Initial restaurant partners include Shake Shack and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza
  • Robots can travel up to 11 mph on sidewalks
  • Each robot can carry up to 15 gallons of food—equivalent to four 16-inch pizzas
  • Serve spun off from Uber in 2021 and has completed over 500,000 deliveries nationwide

Miami Beach and Brickell—with approximately 120,000 combined residents and heavy tourist foot traffic—present unique challenges for sidewalk robots navigating crowded pedestrian areas.

Cartken
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Cartken, another autonomous delivery robot company, partnered with Uber Eats to launch robot deliveries in Miami’s Dadeland area of Miami-Dade County in December 2022:

  • Six-wheeled autonomous sidewalk rovers
  • Cargo capacity of 1.5 cubic feet (approximately two grocery bags)
  • Customers receive alerts when food is on the way and unlock the robot using their phone
  • Robots are remotely supervised by human operators
  • Operates on a robots-as-a-service model

Delivery Robot Injury Risks
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Sidewalk delivery robots pose distinct injury risks compared to larger robotaxis:

Trip and Fall Hazards: Robots operating on sidewalks can obstruct pedestrian pathways, particularly for:

  • Seniors with mobility challenges
  • Parents with strollers
  • Wheelchair users and people with disabilities
  • Pedestrians distracted by phones or conversations

Collision Injuries: While delivery robots are smaller than vehicles, crash test studies show impacts from robots weighing up to 60 kilograms traveling at 11 km/h can cause serious injuries:

  • Broken bones from direct impacts
  • Head injuries, especially for children at lower heights
  • Torso injuries from robots at wheelchair height
  • Injuries from falls caused by avoiding robots

Accessibility Conflicts: Delivery robots and wheelchair users often compete for the same sidewalk space. Documented incidents include robots blocking wheelchair access at crosswalks and forcing mobility device users into streets.

Who Is Liable for Delivery Robot Injuries?
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Sidewalk delivery robot accidents can involve multiple potentially liable parties:

Robot Manufacturers: Companies like Serve Robotics and Cartken may be liable under product liability law for:

  • Design defects in navigation or obstacle detection systems
  • Manufacturing defects in sensors, wheels, or computing hardware
  • Failure to warn about known limitations

Operating Companies: Companies deploying and managing robot fleets may face liability for:

  • Negligent deployment on crowded sidewalks
  • Inadequate remote supervision
  • Failure to maintain robots properly
  • Operating in conditions robots cannot handle safely

Platform Partners: Uber Eats and other delivery platforms partnering with robot companies may share liability for:

  • Negligent selection of robot deployment partners
  • Inadequate vetting of robot safety systems
  • Failure to address known safety issues

Property Owners: In some cases, property owners or businesses may share responsibility if:

  • Poorly maintained sidewalks contribute to accidents
  • Private property deployments lack adequate warnings

Florida Delivery Robot Regulations
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Florida law treats personal delivery devices (PDDs) differently from larger autonomous vehicles:

  • PDDs may operate on sidewalks and crosswalks
  • Maximum speed of 10 mph on sidewalks, 20 mph on shoulders
  • Must yield right-of-way to pedestrians
  • Operators must maintain liability insurance
  • Each PDD must be equipped with a braking system

However, enforcement of these regulations varies, and rapid deployment has outpaced regulatory oversight in many areas.

Major Legal Developments#

Miami has already seen significant autonomous vehicle litigation:

$329 Million Tesla Verdict (August 2025)
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In August 2025, a Miami federal court jury handed down a $329 million verdict against Tesla and a Tesla driver in a case involving the company’s driver assistance systems. This verdict signals that Florida juries are willing to hold autonomous vehicle companies accountable for serious injuries.

Florida Autonomous Vehicle Law
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Florida has been among the most permissive states for autonomous vehicle deployment, creating both opportunities for companies and potential risks for the public.

Regulatory Framework
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Florida law allows fully autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads without human drivers. Key provisions include:

  • No permits required for autonomous vehicle testing or deployment
  • Vehicles must be able to achieve minimal risk condition if systems fail
  • Companies must carry insurance or proof of financial responsibility
  • Vehicles must comply with all applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws

Liability Implications
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Florida’s approach to autonomous vehicle regulation has significant implications for injury victims:

Product Liability: Florida applies strict liability principles to defective products. If an autonomous vehicle’s design, manufacturing, or warnings are defective, the manufacturer may be liable regardless of fault.

Negligence: Claims may be brought against companies that negligently deploy, maintain, or operate autonomous vehicles.

Comparative Fault: Florida uses modified comparative negligence (as of 2023). If you’re found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Statute of Limitations
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In Florida, you generally have four years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years for wrongful death claims. These deadlines are critical—missing them can bar your claim entirely.

Who Can Be Held Liable?
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Robotaxi injuries in Miami may involve multiple potentially liable parties:

Autonomous Vehicle Companies
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Companies like Waymo operating in Miami may be liable for:

  • Design defects in perception, decision-making, or control systems
  • Manufacturing defects in sensors, computing hardware, or vehicle components
  • Failure to warn users or the public about known limitations
  • Negligent deployment in conditions the vehicles cannot handle safely

Fleet Management Partners
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Companies like Moove, which handles fleet management for Waymo in Miami, may share liability for:

  • Inadequate vehicle maintenance
  • Failure to remove defective vehicles from service
  • Negligent supervision of operations

Third-Party Drivers
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When autonomous vehicles interact with human-driven vehicles, traditional auto liability principles apply. If another driver’s negligence causes a collision involving an autonomous vehicle, that driver (and their insurance) may be liable.

Insurance Companies
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Florida requires autonomous vehicle operators to maintain insurance coverage. However, securing fair compensation from these insurers often requires legal assistance.

Common Autonomous Vehicle Incidents
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Based on data from Waymo’s operations nationwide, robotaxi incidents fall into several categories:

Rear-End Collisions
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The most common serious Waymo crashes involve human drivers rear-ending Waymo vehicles. Of Waymo’s 25 most serious crashes through early 2025, 17 involved rear-end collisions caused by human drivers.

Intersection Incidents
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Waymo vehicles have been involved in incidents where:

  • Human drivers run red lights and strike Waymo vehicles
  • Waymo vehicles make unexpected stops or maneuvers
  • Complex intersection dynamics create confusion

Pedestrian and Cyclist Interactions
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Urban environments like Miami create frequent interactions between robotaxis and vulnerable road users. Incidents may involve:

  • Failure to detect or yield to pedestrians
  • Unexpected behavior around cyclists
  • Difficulty navigating construction zones or road closures

Steps to Take After a Robotaxi or Delivery Robot Incident in Miami
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If you’re involved in a robotaxi or delivery robot incident in Miami:

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911
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Move to safety if possible. Even if injuries seem minor, request emergency services to document the incident and provide any needed medical care.

2. Document Everything
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  • Photograph all vehicles or robots involved, including company branding (Waymo, Serve, Cartken, etc.)
  • Note the vehicle or robot identification numbers if visible
  • Record the exact location, time, and weather conditions
  • Get contact information from all witnesses
  • Note whether the vehicle had any occupants or safety operators
  • For delivery robots: note the robot’s size, speed estimate, and any display messages

3. Report the Incident
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  • File a police report with Miami-Dade Police or local jurisdiction
  • Request a copy of the accident report
  • Consider reporting to NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline (888-327-4236)

4. Seek Medical Attention
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Get a medical evaluation even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries take days to manifest, and prompt medical documentation strengthens any future claim.

5. Preserve Evidence
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  • Keep all medical records and bills
  • Save any dashcam or security footage you may have
  • Don’t sign any releases or give recorded statements to the robotaxi company without legal advice
  • Document lost wages and other impacts

6. Consult an Attorney
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Autonomous vehicle cases involve complex technology and evolving legal frameworks. An experienced attorney can help:

  • Identify all potentially liable parties
  • Preserve crucial vehicle data before it’s deleted or overwritten
  • Navigate Florida’s insurance and liability laws
  • Build a case using appropriate experts

Challenges Unique to Miami AV Cases
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Weather-Related Issues#

Miami’s weather presents unique challenges for autonomous vehicles:

  • Sudden rainstorms can obscure sensors and cameras
  • Humidity may affect sensor performance
  • Sun glare during morning and evening hours can impair vision systems
  • Standing water on roads after storms may not be detected properly

If weather conditions contributed to an incident, this may strengthen claims about negligent deployment.

Tourist Interactions
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Miami’s heavy tourist traffic means autonomous vehicles regularly interact with:

  • Unfamiliar drivers who may behave unpredictably
  • Pedestrians unfamiliar with local traffic patterns
  • Rental vehicles and rideshare drivers
  • Airport and cruise terminal traffic

Language and Documentation
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Miami’s diverse population may create challenges in documenting incidents and communicating with law enforcement. Ensure all reports are accurately translated and that you receive copies in your primary language.

Miami Resources
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  • Miami-Dade Police Department: Report accidents and request reports
  • Florida Highway Patrol: For incidents on state roads and highways
  • Miami-Dade County Consumer Services: General complaints about commercial services
  • Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: State-level vehicle safety concerns

Related Information#

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Autonomous vehicle and delivery robot law is rapidly evolving. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.