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Philadelphia Robotaxi & Robot Injury Claims

Philadelphia: Robotaxi & Robot Injury Legal Resources
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Philadelphia has become Pennsylvania’s first major market for autonomous vehicle testing, with Waymo now conducting autonomous drives with safety operators in the city. Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework is among the most stringent in the nation, requiring detailed certifications before companies can operate self-driving vehicles on public roads.

The Robotaxi Landscape in Philadelphia
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Philadelphia represents Waymo’s entry into the Pennsylvania market and a key step in the company’s East Coast expansion.

Waymo’s Philadelphia Operations
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In December 2025, Waymo announced it had begun autonomous testing in Philadelphia:

  • Autonomous testing with safety operators is currently underway
  • Waymo secured a certificate of compliance from PennDOT
  • Operations focused initially on downtown core
  • Plans to expand across the broader metropolitan area over time
  • Public robotaxi service expected to launch after additional certifications

According to Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher: “We recently began driving autonomously with a specialist behind the wheel, after securing permission to do so from PennDOT. We’ll continue laying the groundwork in Philadelphia to open our fully autonomous ride-hailing service for the public in the future.”

PennDOT Certification
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Waymo currently holds a certificate of compliance from PennDOT for Philadelphia. The only other company with a certificate for the city is Perrone Robotics, which operates a self-driving shuttle service at the Navy Yard.

Current Status
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As of December 2025:

  • Waymo vehicles are conducting autonomous drives with safety operators
  • No fully driverless rides are yet available
  • Testing is focused on downtown Philadelphia
  • Timeline for fully autonomous public service remains undetermined

Pennsylvania Autonomous Vehicle Law
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Pennsylvania has developed one of the nation’s more comprehensive regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles.

Legal Framework: 2022 Highly Automated Vehicles Law#

A 2022 Pennsylvania law legalized commercial operation of “highly automated vehicles” with specific requirements:

Certificate of Compliance Requirements:

  • Companies must obtain a certificate from PennDOT for specified locations
  • Demonstrate a cybersecurity plan
  • Show that vehicles store operational data
  • Prove vehicles can identify and yield to emergency vehicles
  • Meet other safety and operational requirements

Key Provisions:

  • Local cities cannot specifically target or ban highly automated vehicles
  • Platooning is permitted with a human driver in the lead vehicle
  • Requirements are more stringent than many other states

Path to Fully Driverless Operations
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For Waymo to operate fully driverless vehicles in Philadelphia, additional requirements must be met:

  • Submit application for fully automated vehicle permit
  • Meet all PennDOT safety requirements
  • This would be the first such application in Pennsylvania
  • PennDOT’s chief of transformational technology noted Pennsylvania has “more stringent requirements” compared to states already hosting fully driverless cars

Liability Principles Under Pennsylvania Law
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Pennsylvania law provides several pathways for autonomous vehicle injury claims:

Comparative Negligence: Pennsylvania uses modified comparative fault:

  • You can recover if you’re less than 51% at fault
  • Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
  • If you’re 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover

Product Liability: Pennsylvania recognizes claims based on:

  • Design defects in autonomous driving systems
  • Manufacturing defects in sensors and hardware
  • Failure to warn about system limitations
  • Strict liability for unreasonably dangerous products

Negligence: Companies may be liable for:

  • Deploying vehicles in unsafe conditions
  • Inadequate testing before public operation
  • Failure to respond to known safety issues

Statute of Limitations
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In Pennsylvania, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the injury date.

Who Can Be Held Liable?
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Philadelphia robotaxi incidents may involve multiple potentially liable parties:

Waymo (Autonomous Vehicle Operator)
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As the company deploying the technology, Waymo may be liable for:

  • Defective autonomous driving software
  • Sensor failures causing accidents
  • Inadequate testing before deployment
  • Failure to warn about system limitations
  • Negligent maintenance of vehicles
  • Violations of PennDOT certification requirements

Safety Operators
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During the testing phase with safety operators present:

  • Operators may be liable for failure to intervene
  • Questions arise about when intervention was required
  • Waymo may be vicariously liable for operator negligence
  • Inadequate training may create additional claims

Vehicle Manufacturer (Jaguar/Land Rover)
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The manufacturer of the physical vehicle may be liable for:

  • Defects in vehicle hardware
  • Integration failures with autonomous systems
  • Manufacturing defects in specific units

Component Manufacturers
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Other potentially liable parties include:

  • Sensor manufacturers (LiDAR, cameras, radar)
  • Software contractors involved in development
  • Maintenance providers servicing vehicles

Common Incident Types in Philadelphia
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Based on the city’s characteristics and autonomous vehicle data nationwide:

Center City Challenges
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Philadelphia’s dense urban core creates navigation challenges:

  • Narrow historic streets in Old City and Society Hill
  • One-way street networks throughout downtown
  • Complex intersections at major thoroughfares
  • Construction zones from ongoing development

Pedestrian Areas
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High foot traffic areas require careful navigation:

  • Rittenhouse Square and surrounding shopping district
  • Reading Terminal Market area
  • University City (Penn, Drexel campuses)
  • Temple University area in North Philadelphia
  • Sports complex area (Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field)

Weather Events
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Pennsylvania weather can challenge autonomous systems:

  • Snow and ice during winter months
  • Heavy rain during storms
  • Fog along the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers
  • Rapid temperature changes affecting sensor calibration

Philadelphia-Specific Factors
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  • SEPTA transit interactions (buses, trolleys, regional rail crossings)
  • Aggressive driving behaviors
  • Double-parked vehicles on commercial streets
  • Potholes and road surface damage
  • Bicycle traffic in dedicated lanes

Steps to Take After a Robotaxi Incident in Philadelphia
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1. Ensure Safety
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Move to safety if possible. Philadelphia’s busy streets make secondary accidents a significant risk.

2. Call 911
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Contact Philadelphia Police Department. An official police report is essential evidence.

3. Identify the Vehicle
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During testing, Waymo vehicles will have:

  • Distinctive Jaguar I-PACE body style
  • Prominent sensor array on the roof
  • Safety operator behind the wheel
  • Waymo branding

4. Document the Scene
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  • Photograph all vehicles, damage, and surroundings
  • Note the exact location (street names, landmarks)
  • Record time, weather, and traffic conditions
  • Get witness names and contact information
  • Check for security cameras at nearby businesses

5. Preserve Digital Evidence
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  • Screenshot any ride-hailing app data if you were a passenger
  • Save all notifications or messages from the app
  • Note whether the vehicle was operating autonomously or manually

6. File Reports
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  • Police report with Philadelphia PD
  • Report to NHTSA (888-327-4236) for autonomous vehicle incidents
  • Consider reporting to PennDOT given certification requirements
  • Retain copies of all reports

7. Seek Medical Attention
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Get evaluated even if injuries seem minor. Medical documentation strengthens claims.

8. Consult an Attorney
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Autonomous vehicle cases are complex, involving:

  • PennDOT certification requirements and potential violations
  • Multiple potentially liable parties
  • Technical evidence requiring expert analysis
  • Corporate legal teams with substantial resources

Challenges Specific to Philadelphia AV Cases
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Stringent State Requirements
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Pennsylvania’s detailed certification requirements create opportunities:

  • Violations of PennDOT requirements may support negligence claims
  • Data storage requirements mean evidence should be available
  • Cybersecurity and emergency vehicle requirements provide standards

Testing Phase Complexity
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With safety operators present:

  • Questions about when intervention should have occurred
  • Dual liability theories: operator negligence vs. product defect
  • Need to determine if vehicle was in autonomous or manual mode

SEPTA Interactions
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Philadelphia’s extensive transit system creates unique scenarios:

  • Interactions with buses and trolleys in mixed traffic
  • Regional rail grade crossings in outer areas
  • Subway ventilation grates and infrastructure

Data Preservation
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Pennsylvania’s data storage requirements help, but act quickly:

  • Sensor logs showing what the vehicle detected
  • Decision-making records showing system responses
  • Operational data proving certification compliance
  • Request preservation immediately in writing

Philadelphia Resources
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  • Philadelphia Police Department: File accident reports, obtain copies
  • Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County: Civil litigation venue
  • PennDOT: State vehicle records and AV certification information
  • Pennsylvania Department of Insurance: Insurance complaints and information
  • NHTSA Eastern Region: Federal vehicle safety concerns

Related Information#

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Pennsylvania’s autonomous vehicle regulations are among the most detailed in the nation. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.