Child Injured in Santa Monica Waymo Accident

Investigation Underway After Child Was Hit by Waymo Robotaxi Near Grant Elementary School on Pearl Street in Santa Monica.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA(January 29, 2026) – A child was injured in a Santa Monica car accident with a Waymo Robo taxi near Grant Elementary School.

Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident took place last Friday. A WeMo vehicle was traveling down the roadway when it collided with a child.

The child was apparently trying to cross the street at the time of the accident. There were other children and a crossing guard in the area at the time.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. A full investigation into the collision near Grant Elementary School remains ongoing.

The NHTSA is one of the agencies investigating the crash.

Liability for Santa Monica Car Accidents

All drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. They must be particularly cautious around children, especially when traveling through school zones. According to California Vehicle Code § 22352, drivers must travel 25 mph “When approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a standard “SCHOOL” warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the school either during school hours or during the noon recess period.” Drivers should take several measures to avoid colliding with pedestrians.

• Speed: Drivers should reduce their speed whenever pedestrians are nearby. This is particularly important in school zones.
• Lookout: Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them so that they can detect pedestrians and other possible hazards.
• Distractions: Drivers should put away their phones and other potential distractions while driving.

If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a liability claim. Drivers must use caution to avoid hitting pedestrians even if they are traveling outside of marked crosswalks. They must take into consideration that children can move in ways that are unpredictable. Accidents involving Waymo vehicles can be quite complex. If a Waymo is involved in a pedestrian accident, there could be several liable parties.

Third-Party Liability for Waymo Accidents

Waymos are driverless vehicles. They are part of a rideshare network and function in much the same way as Ubers. These vehicles have been involved in a number of safety incidents and collisions over the years. According to Fox 45 News, “Waymo self-driving cars are being investigated for driving around stopped school buses that had red lights flashing and stop arms deployed.  Officials with the Austin Independent School District in Texas said they’ve been in communication with the company and have documented 20 incidents since the beginning of the school year.” Several entities could face liability for any accident involving a Waymo vehicle.

• Drivers: The person driving the Waymo vehicle could be held at fault. It matters whether or not the Waymo was driving autonomously or being operated by a human driver at the time of a crash.
• Manufacturer: The company that created the Waymo car could be liable if a vehicle systems failure contributes to an accident. For example, a tire blowout could cause the vehicle to lose control and crash.
• Waymo: Waymo could also be liable for a collision if a defect with the vehicle’s software led to a collision. In particular, the algorithm that governed driving decisions may have failed to recognize a child and take evasive maneuvers.

Any accident with a Waymo vehicle can be incredibly complex. The factors that contribute to any collision could take place hours, days, or even months beforehand. A major issue with these vehicles is that they tend to perform poorly in unusual driving situations. This can include situations where the vehicles have to contend with inclement weather. Any person injured in an accident with a Waymo vehicle may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a personal injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Getting Legal Help for Santa Monica Waymo Accidents

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to the child injured in this Waymo car accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The number of accidents and close calls involving Waymo vehicles remains deeply concerning.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Santa Monica Waymo accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of Waymo accident attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.