San Diego: Robotaxi & Robot Injury Legal Resources

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San Diego stands at the threshold of a major autonomous vehicle transformation. With Waymo announcing commercial robotaxi service for mid-2026, Qualcomm developing autonomous driving technology at its global headquarters, and UC San Diego pioneering AV research, the region is becoming a critical hub for self-driving innovation—and the legal questions that follow.

The Robotaxi Landscape in San Diego

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San Diego’s coastal climate, diverse urban environment, and strong technology sector make it an attractive market for autonomous vehicle companies. The city’s mix of dense downtown corridors, beach communities, and suburban sprawl creates both opportunities and challenges for self-driving systems.

Waymo Operations

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Waymo selected San Diego as one of three new expansion cities announced in November 2025:

• Commercial launch planned for mid-2026
• Initial service area includes downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, Grant Hill, Logan Heights, and Pacific Beach
• Service will not extend as far north as La Jolla initially
• Testing began in late 2025 with human autonomous specialists on board
• Fleet includes both Jaguar I-PACE SUVs and new Zeekr-built vehicles designed specifically for robotaxi operations
• New Waymo Zeekr models spotted charging at public stations in San Diego during November 2025 testing

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria welcomed the announcement: “By welcoming innovative and promising technologies like Waymo’s autonomous vehicle service, we’re exploring how to make transportation more accessible, more sustainable, and more connected for everyone in our community.”

However, the announcement drew mixed reactions from residents and local taxi drivers concerned about job displacement and safety.

Nuro Autonomous Delivery

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Nuro operates autonomous delivery vehicles in the San Diego region:

• Purpose-built delivery vehicles with no passenger compartment
• Focus on grocery and restaurant delivery applications
• Part of Nuro’s broader California deployment alongside Dallas and Miami
• Vehicles operate on public streets under California DMV permit

Other AV Activity

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San Diego hosts significant autonomous vehicle development beyond public robotaxi services:

• Qualcomm develops Snapdragon Ride autonomous driving technology at its Sorrento Mesa headquarters
• UC San Diego operates the Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory, testing self-driving golf carts and researching “last mile” delivery solutions
• The region was designated as one of 10 federal AV proving grounds by the Department of Transportation
• Testing authorized on state roads in Chula Vista and the I-15 corridor

San Diego’s Tech Industry and AV Development

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Qualcomm: Autonomous Driving Powerhouse

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Qualcomm’s global headquarters in San Diego positions the city at the center of autonomous driving technology development:

• Snapdragon Digital Chassis powers autonomous systems in over 350 million vehicles globally
• Snapdragon Ride platform provides ADAS and self-driving capabilities to automakers including General Motors and BMW
• Arriver acquisition (2022) strengthened Qualcomm’s camera-based autonomous driving and vehicle safety technologies
• Qualcomm received regulatory permission to test self-driving vehicles in San Diego County
• Testing occurs near Sorrento Mesa headquarters and on local highways

UC San Diego Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory

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UC San Diego’s research programs contribute to San Diego’s AV ecosystem:

• Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (AVL) led by Dr. Henrik I. Christensen, Qualcomm Chancellor’s Chair of Robot Systems
• Self-driving golf carts making mail deliveries on campus since 2019
• Research focused on “last mile” problem—navigating autonomous vehicles from freeways to crowded neighborhood streets
• Laboratory for Intelligent and Safe Automobiles (LISA) develops intelligent automobile safety systems
• ECE/MAE 148 course trains students on autonomous vehicle development

Dr. Christensen co-authored the US National Robotics Roadmap (2009, 2013, 2016) and won the Joseph Engelberger Award (2011), the premier robotics industry award.

California Autonomous Vehicle Law

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California maintains one of the most developed regulatory frameworks for autonomous vehicles in the country, directly applicable to San Diego operations.

Regulatory Structure

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Three agencies oversee autonomous vehicles:

• California DMV — Issues testing and deployment permits, regulates vehicle operations
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) — Regulates commercial passenger services (robotaxis)
• NHTSA — Federal oversight, recall authority, safety standards

Recent Regulatory Expansion

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In November 2025, Waymo received California DMV approval to expand operations across a much larger area:

• Southern California permitted territory now stretches from Santa Clarita (north of Los Angeles) to San Diego
• Enables unified regional operations across multiple Southern California markets
• Waymo still requires CPUC approval for commercial/passenger operations in San Diego

AB 1777: Manufacturer Liability

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California’s AB 1777, signed into law in September 2024, represents a significant shift:

• Manufacturers—not drivers—are responsible for certain traffic violations committed by autonomous vehicles
• Establishes clearer liability framework for fully autonomous operations
• Addresses gap where no human driver exists to hold accountable

Strict Product Liability

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

Design Defects:

• California uniquely 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

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Pure Comparative Fault

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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

This is more favorable than Nevada’s modified comparative negligence (which bars recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault).

Who Can Be Held Liable?

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Autonomous vehicle incidents in San Diego may involve multiple potentially liable parties:

AV Operating Companies

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Companies like Waymo and Nuro may be liable for:

• Design defects in autonomous driving systems
• Software failures causing accidents
• Negligent deployment in conditions they know exceed system capabilities
• Inadequate safety protocols
• Failure to warn about system limitations

Parent Companies

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Corporate relationships may extend liability:

• Alphabet owns Waymo
• SoftBank and Toyota have invested in Nuro
• Parent companies may share liability depending on control and involvement

Technology Providers

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San Diego’s tech companies may face liability for component failures:

• Qualcomm for autonomous driving chip defects
• Sensor manufacturers for perception system failures
• Software developers for algorithm errors
• Mapping providers for navigation data errors

Vehicle Manufacturers

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Companies building physical vehicles may face liability for:

• Hardware defects in sensors, cameras, or computing systems
• Integration failures between vehicle and autonomous systems
• Manufacturing defects in vehicle platforms (Jaguar, Zeekr)

San Diego Traffic Safety Context

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Understanding San Diego’s traffic environment provides context for AV deployment risks.

Vision Zero Struggles

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San Diego adopted Vision Zero in 2015, committing to eliminate non-motorist traffic deaths by 2025. The results have been disappointing:

• 427 people have died in traffic-related collisions since 2015
• 69 traffic deaths in 2022—the highest in nine years
• Pedestrian deaths have increased despite the initiative
• More pedestrians and cyclists are being killed than when Vision Zero began

Pedestrian and Bicycle Statistics

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San Diego sees significant pedestrian and bicycle incidents annually:

• Approximately 20 pedestrian deaths per year in the city
• Approximately 5 cyclist deaths per year
• Nearly 1,000 pedestrian-involved crashes annually in San Diego County
• Over 700 bicycle-involved collisions annually
• Approximately 500 car-bicycle collisions per year, with nearly all resulting in injury

High-Risk Areas

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The areas where Waymo plans to operate overlap with high-incident zones:

• Pacific Beach — Highest concentration of bicycle accidents
• Downtown San Diego — Heavy pedestrian traffic
• Gaslamp Quarter — Nightlife district with impaired pedestrians
• Garnet Avenue and Grand Avenue — Among the most dangerous roads for cyclists

These statistics highlight why autonomous vehicle safety is critical—and why failures could result in serious injuries.

Challenges Unique to San Diego AV Operations

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Coastal and Climate Factors

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San Diego’s environment presents specific challenges for autonomous systems:

• Marine layer fog common in coastal areas like Pacific Beach
• Sunset glare reflecting off ocean can overwhelm cameras
• Beach traffic patterns with unpredictable pedestrian crossings
• Salt air can affect sensor longevity and performance
• Mild weather generally favorable but less tested than Phoenix’s extreme heat

Tourist and Beach Community Patterns

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San Diego draws significant tourist traffic:

• Convention center events creating concentrated pedestrian activity
• Gaslamp Quarter nightlife with impaired pedestrians
• Beach communities with cyclists, joggers, and scooter riders
• Cruise ship terminal creating periodic pedestrian surges
• Comic-Con and other major events creating unusual traffic patterns

Complex Urban-Suburban Transitions

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San Diego’s geography creates unique challenges:

• Hilly terrain in neighborhoods like Hillcrest and North Park
• Canyon roads with limited visibility
• Freeway-to-beach transitions requiring rapid adaptation
• Border traffic from Tijuana affecting I-5 and I-805 corridors
• Military base traffic from multiple installations

Infrastructure Considerations

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• Trolley system requiring AV interaction with light rail
• Bike lanes particularly in beach communities
• Scooter rentals creating unpredictable micro-mobility
• Construction zones from ongoing downtown development

Steps to Take After an AV Incident in San Diego

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1. Ensure Safety

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Move to safety if possible. San Diego’s beach communities and downtown areas have heavy mixed traffic.

2. Call 911

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Contact San Diego Police Department for an official report.

3. Identify the Vehicle

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Note which company operates the vehicle:

• Look for company branding (Waymo, Nuro, etc.)
• Waymo vehicles are Jaguar I-PACE SUVs or Zeekr vehicles with distinctive sensor arrays
• Note whether a human operator is present (expected during 2025-2026 testing phase)
• Photograph the vehicle’s sensor array and identification numbers
• Record vehicle license plate

4. Document Everything

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• Photograph all vehicles, damage, and the scene
• Note exact location (street names, nearby businesses)
• Record time, weather, and lighting conditions
• Note presence of marine layer, sun glare, or other conditions
• Get witness contact information
• Identify nearby security cameras

5. Report the Incident

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• San Diego Police Department: File accident report
• California DMV Autonomous Vehicles Branch: Report AV-involved incidents
• NHTSA: Report to Vehicle Safety Hotline (888-327-4236)
• California Public Utilities Commission: Complaints about commercial AV services
• Retain copies of all reports

6. Seek Medical Attention

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Get evaluated promptly even if injuries seem minor. San Diego has excellent medical facilities including UC San Diego Health and Scripps Health systems.

7. Preserve Evidence

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• Save all medical records and bills
• Document lost wages and other impacts
• Preserve photos, videos, and communications
• Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice

8. Consult an Attorney

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Autonomous vehicle cases require specialized knowledge:

• Technical understanding of AV systems
• Experience with California product liability law
• Resources to access and analyze vehicle data
• Understanding of California’s pure comparative fault rules

San Diego Court System

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California Superior Court — San Diego County

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Most AV injury cases file in San Diego Superior Court:

• Central Courthouse: 1100 Union Street, San Diego
• Hall of Justice: 330 West Broadway, San Diego
• Handles unlimited civil cases (damages over $25,000)
• Complex litigation procedures available for major cases

Federal Court

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United States District Court, Southern District of California:

• Edward J. Schwartz Courthouse, 221 West Broadway, San Diego
• Jurisdiction over federal questions and diversity cases
• Product liability cases against out-of-state manufacturers may proceed here

Venue Considerations

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Venue choice may depend on:

• Defendant’s state of incorporation (Waymo/Alphabet in Delaware, headquartered in California)
• Amount in controversy
• Federal vs. state law claims
• Arbitration clause enforcement

San Diego Resources

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• San Diego Police Department: File accident reports at (619) 531-2000
• California DMV Autonomous Vehicles Branch: Report AV incidents
• NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: (888) 327-4236
• California Public Utilities Commission: Commercial AV service complaints
• San Diego County Bar Association: Lawyer referral service (619) 231-8585
• UC San Diego Health: Level I trauma center
• Scripps Mercy Hospital: Downtown emergency services

Related Information

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• Autonomous Vehicles - Comprehensive guide to self-driving car liability
• Los Angeles - California’s largest AV market
• San Francisco - Robotaxi capital with Waymo and Cruise history
• Phoenix - Waymo’s flagship market
• 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. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.