Sacramento: Autonomous Vehicle & Robotics Injury Legal Resources

#

Sacramento sits at the intersection of California’s political power and its autonomous vehicle future. As the state capital, Sacramento is where regulations governing self-driving cars are written—and now, as of November 2025, it’s where Waymo robotaxis will operate. This unique position makes Sacramento a critical battleground for autonomous vehicle liability law.

The Robotaxi Landscape in Sacramento

#

Sacramento represents Waymo’s largest geographic expansion in California to date. The November 2025 DMV approval covers not just Sacramento proper but a sprawling multi-county region including communities from Davis to Elk Grove.

Waymo Operations

#

In November 2025, the California DMV granted Waymo authorization to conduct driverless testing and deployment operations throughout the Sacramento region:

• Multi-county coverage spanning Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties
• Metropolitan population of approximately 2.4 million residents
• No weather or time restrictions—vehicles approved for all conditions, day and night
• Fleet vehicles: 2021/2024 Jaguar I-Pace and 2022/2025 Zeekr RT models
• Testing phase precedes commercial passenger service, which requires separate CPUC approval

Sacramento County Coverage

#

Approved cities and areas in Sacramento County include:

• Sacramento (city proper)
• Citrus Heights
• Elk Grove
• Folsom
• Galt
• Isleton
• Rancho Cordova

Solano County Coverage

#

Waymo’s operational territory extends into Solano County:

• Benicia
• Dixon
• Fairfield
• Rio Vista
• Suisun City
• Vacaville
• Vallejo

Yolo County Coverage

#

The approval also includes Yolo County communities:

• Davis (home to UC Davis)
• West Sacramento
• Winters
• Woodland
• Rumsey Indian Rancheria

Waymo Safety Record

#

Waymo publishes safety data covering nearly 100 million driverless miles through June 2025:

• 91% fewer serious-injury-or-worse crashes compared to human drivers
• 80% fewer crashes causing any injury
• 92% reduction in crashes involving pedestrian injuries
• 82% reduction in crashes involving cyclist injuries
• 96% fewer injury-involving intersection crashes

As of April 2025, Waymo delivers over 250,000 paid robotaxi rides per week nationwide across San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin.

However, safety statistics don’t eliminate individual accidents. When crashes do occur, they create complex liability questions involving technology companies, vehicle manufacturers, and California’s regulatory framework.

Why Sacramento Matters for AV Law

#

California’s Regulatory Capital

#

Sacramento’s significance extends beyond being another market:

• State legislature writes autonomous vehicle laws
• California DMV headquarters issues testing and deployment permits
• CPUC decisions on commercial robotaxi operations affect statewide policy
• Governor’s office can influence regulatory direction

Legal precedents established in Sacramento could shape autonomous vehicle law for the entire state—and potentially the nation.

Regional Hub

#

Sacramento serves as the economic and transportation hub for a large metropolitan region:

• State government employees creating consistent weekday traffic patterns
• UC Davis student and faculty populations
• Medical centers including UC Davis Medical Center and multiple Sutter Health facilities
• Sacramento International Airport generating transportation demand

California Autonomous Vehicle Law

#

California maintains one of the most developed regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles in the country. Understanding this framework is essential for Sacramento residents who may encounter robotaxis.

Regulatory Structure

#

Three agencies oversee autonomous vehicles in California:

• California DMV — Issues testing and deployment permits; maintains incident reporting database
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — Regulates commercial passenger services (robotaxis carrying paying riders)
• NHTSA — Federal oversight, recall authority, safety standards

November 2025 Approval Scope

#

The DMV’s November 2025 authorization for Sacramento represents Phase 1:

What’s Approved:

• Driverless testing and deployment operations
• All times of day and night
• All weather conditions including rain and fog
• All speeds

What Still Requires Approval:

• Commercial passenger service (carrying paying riders) requires separate CPUC authorization
• Timeline for commercial service in Sacramento has not been announced

AB 1777: Manufacturer Liability

#

California’s AB 1777, signed into law in September 2024, clarifies liability for autonomous vehicle violations:

• Manufacturers—not drivers—are responsible for certain traffic violations committed by autonomous vehicles operating without a human driver
• Establishes clearer accountability when no human is behind the wheel
• Addresses the legal gap created by fully autonomous operations

Strict Product Liability

#

California applies strict product liability principles to defective products, including autonomous vehicles:

Design Defects:

• California allows both consumer expectations and risk-utility tests
• Plaintiffs can prove defect by showing the product failed to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would expect

Manufacturing Defects:

• Automatic liability for units that deviate from intended design

Failure to Warn:

• Liability for inadequate warnings about known risks or limitations

Statute of Limitations

#

Pure Comparative Fault

#

California follows pure comparative fault:

• Recover damages regardless of your fault percentage
• Recovery reduced by your percentage of fault
• Even 99% at-fault plaintiffs can recover 1%
• No threshold bars recovery

Types of Liability Claims

#

Autonomous vehicle incidents in Sacramento may give rise to various claim types:

Passenger Injuries

#

During the testing phase, Waymo vehicles may carry passengers (autonomous specialists or approved testers). Future commercial service will involve paying passengers. Claims may arise from:

• Sudden braking or acceleration
• Collision injuries
• Failure to avoid hazards
• Vehicle system malfunctions

Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents

#

Sacramento’s grid street pattern and bike-friendly neighborhoods create frequent pedestrian and cyclist interactions:

• Crosswalk detection failures
• Right-turn conflicts with cyclists
• Jaywalking pedestrian interactions
• Intersection misjudgments

Multi-Vehicle Collisions

#

Robotaxis interact with human-driven vehicles constantly:

• Rear-end collisions (either striking or being struck)
• Intersection crashes
• Lane-change incidents
• Highway merging accidents

Property Damage

#

Even without personal injuries, robotaxi incidents may cause:

• Vehicle damage to other cars
• Damage to structures, fences, or other property
• Damage to bicycles, motorcycles, or scooters

Who Can Be Held Liable?

#

Autonomous vehicle accidents often involve multiple potentially responsible parties:

Waymo (Alphabet Inc.)

#

As the vehicle operator and autonomous system developer, Waymo may face liability for:

• Design defects in the autonomous driving system
• Software failures causing accidents
• Negligent deployment in conditions exceeding system capabilities
• Failure to warn about known limitations
• Inadequate testing before deployment

Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company.

Vehicle Manufacturers

#

The physical vehicles may have defects separate from the autonomous system:

• Jaguar Land Rover (Jaguar I-Pace platform)
• Zeekr (Geely subsidiary building purpose-built robotaxi vehicles)

Manufacturing defects in brakes, steering, sensors, or other components could contribute to accidents.

Technology Component Suppliers

#

Autonomous vehicles rely on components from multiple suppliers:

• Lidar sensors for environment mapping
• Camera systems for visual perception
• Radar units for object detection
• Computing hardware processing sensor data
• Mapping data providers

Defective components may create supplier liability.

Government Entities

#

In some cases, government entities may bear responsibility:

• Caltrans for state highway conditions
• City of Sacramento for local road maintenance
• Sacramento County for county road infrastructure
• Defective traffic signals, confusing signage, or dangerous road conditions

Government claims have shorter deadlines—typically 6 months to file an administrative claim before lawsuit.

Sacramento-Specific Considerations

#

Regional Geography

#

Sacramento’s environment presents unique challenges for autonomous vehicles:

• Flat grid pattern in central Sacramento (potentially favorable for AV navigation)
• American River Parkway creating recreational traffic patterns
• Suburban sprawl in Elk Grove, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova
• Historic neighborhoods with narrow streets and limited visibility
• Railroad crossings throughout the region

Climate Factors

#

Sacramento’s Central Valley climate affects autonomous systems:

• Tule fog creating severe visibility challenges in winter months
• Extreme summer heat (regularly exceeding 100°F) stressing vehicle systems
• Rain less frequent but intense when it occurs
• Smoke from wildfires affecting air quality and visibility

The DMV authorization includes “all weather conditions,” but environmental factors may still affect system performance.

Traffic Patterns

#

Sacramento traffic has distinct characteristics:

• State worker commute patterns concentrated in downtown and midtown
• UC Davis traffic between Davis and Sacramento
• Event traffic for Kings games at Golden 1 Center
• Weekend recreation traffic to Lake Tahoe and foothill regions
• Agricultural vehicle interactions in outlying approved areas like Galt and Isleton

Multi-Jurisdictional Operations

#

The approved territory spans multiple jurisdictions:

• Three counties (Sacramento, Solano, Yolo)
• Dozens of incorporated cities
• Unincorporated county areas
• State highways and local roads

This creates complexity when determining which agencies handle incident reports and investigations.

Steps to Take After an AV Incident in Sacramento

#

1. Ensure Safety

#

Move to safety if possible. Sacramento’s wide streets and high-speed arterials can be dangerous for pedestrians.

2. Call 911

#

Contact appropriate law enforcement:

• Sacramento Police Department for city of Sacramento incidents
• Sacramento County Sheriff for unincorporated areas
• California Highway Patrol for state highways
• Local police for incidents in other incorporated cities

3. Identify the Vehicle

#

Note which company operates the vehicle:

• Look for Waymo branding and distinctive sensor arrays
• Waymo vehicles are Jaguar I-Pace SUVs or Zeekr vehicles with roof-mounted lidar
• Note whether a human operator is present (expected during testing phase)
• Photograph vehicle identification numbers
• Record license plate

4. Document Everything

#

• Photograph all vehicles, damage, and the scene
• Note exact location (street names, mile markers, nearby landmarks)
• Record time, weather, and lighting conditions
• Note presence of fog, sun glare, or other environmental factors
• Get witness contact information
• Identify nearby security cameras or dashcam footage

5. Report the Incident

#

• Local law enforcement: File accident report
• California DMV Autonomous Vehicles Branch: Report AV-involved incidents online or at (916) 657-8167
• NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236
• California Public Utilities Commission: If commercial service has begun
• Retain copies of all reports filed

6. Seek Medical Attention

#

Get evaluated promptly even if injuries seem minor. Sacramento has excellent medical facilities:

• UC Davis Medical Center (Level I trauma center)
• Sutter Medical Center
• Mercy General Hospital
• Kaiser Permanente Sacramento

7. Preserve Evidence

#

• Save all medical records and bills
• Document lost wages and other financial impacts
• Preserve clothing worn during incident
• Keep damaged personal property
• Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice

8. Consult an Attorney

#

Autonomous vehicle cases require specialized knowledge:

• Technical understanding of AV systems and data
• Experience with California product liability law
• Resources to access and analyze vehicle data
• Understanding of multi-defendant litigation

Sacramento Court System

#

Sacramento County Superior Court

#

Most autonomous vehicle injury cases would file in Superior Court:

• Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse: 720 9th Street, Sacramento
• Carol Miller Justice Center: 301 Bicentennial Circle, Sacramento
• Unlimited civil jurisdiction for cases over $25,000 in damages
• Complex litigation procedures available for major cases

Federal Court

#

United States District Court, Eastern District of California:

• Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse, 501 I Street, Sacramento
• Jurisdiction over federal questions and diversity cases (parties from different states, over $75,000)
• Product liability cases against out-of-state manufacturers may proceed here

Multi-County Considerations

#

Given Waymo’s approval across three counties, venue questions may arise:

• Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland for Yolo County incidents
• Solano County Superior Court in Fairfield for Solano County incidents
• Venue typically proper where incident occurred

Sacramento Resources

#

• Sacramento Police Department: (916) 264-5471
• Sacramento County Sheriff: (916) 874-5115
• California Highway Patrol (Valley Division): (916) 731-6350
• California DMV Autonomous Vehicles Branch: (916) 657-8167
• NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236
• Sacramento County Bar Association: (916) 564-4TRY (4879)
• California State Bar Lawyer Referral: (866) 442-2529
• UC Davis Medical Center: (916) 734-2011

Related Information

#

• Autonomous Vehicles - Comprehensive guide to self-driving car liability
• San Francisco - Waymo’s established robotaxi market
• Los Angeles - California’s largest AV testing market
• San Diego - Another Waymo expansion city
• Understanding Liability - General product liability principles
• Filing a Claim - Step-by-step guide to the claims process

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Autonomous vehicle law in California continues to evolve as commercial deployment expands to new regions including Sacramento. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.