Motorcyclist Killed in Waymo Car Accident Near ASU Tempe Campus

Self-Driving Waymo Vehicle Involved in Tempe Car Accident With Motorcyclist by Lemon Street and Rural Road

TEMPE, ARIZONA (October 16, 2025) – A motorcyclist was killed in a car accident involving Waymo by the ASU Tempe campus near Lemon Street and Rural Road.

Tempe police officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:30 AM on Sunday. A WeMo vehicle was making a right turn when it was involved in a collision with a motorcyclist.

The victim was thrown into the street and proceeded to strike the motorcyclist before continuing and leaving the scene. Paramedics were called to help the victim. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Sadly, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A full investigation into the Tempe Waymo accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Tempe Waymo Car Accidents

There could be numerous sources of liability for an accident involving a Waymo or other self-driving vehicle. It really depends on whether or not a person or algorithm was controlling the movement of the car. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-754(A), “A person shall not turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position on the roadway as required in section 28-751, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left on a roadway unless and until the movement can be made with reasonable safety.” There are many reasons that a driver may make a dangerous right turn.

• Driver Distraction: A driver may have been distracted by their phone or other object. It is fairly common for drivers to text or make calls as they temporarily stop for a turn.
• Driver Intoxication: A number of car accidents involve a driver who was intoxicated by alcohol or other substances.
• Blind Spots: Drivers may fail to check their blind spots and notice that another vehicle is approaching before making a right turn. 

 If a Waymo was in self-driving mode when it crashed, the company could be liable for any resulting injuries. A civil claim would likely proceed on the basis of product liability. In other words, the injured party would need to show that the Waymo was unreasonably dangerous due to some design defect. It is also possible that the company that manufactured the car could be held at fault. Generally speaking, Waymo does not manufacture vehicles. They outsource this project to car companies.

Steps to Take After an Accident With a Waymo Vehicle

As more companies continue to offer vehicles with self-driving capability, there has been an increase in accidents involving these vehicles. There have also been many instances of autonomous vehicles committing traffic violations. According to The Hill, “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a probe into Tesla’s self-driving software following several incidents in which the system caused cars to violate traffic laws.” Certain actions should be taken after any accident involving a self-driving vehicle.

• Police Report: The police should be called to the scene so that they can begin an immediate investigation.
• Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a medical evaluation as early as possible. Injuries can often become worse without medical intervention.
• Evidence Preservation: All evidence related to the crash should be collected and properly preserved. Photos should be taken. Surveillance footage of the collision should be sought.
• Independent Review: There should be a thorough investigation by a law firm with experience in civil litigation and product liability claims.

Any person injured in a car accident with a Waymo may be able to pursue damages through a civil claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. The ability to pursue damages extends to the family of any victim killed in a crash. They are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, Waymo will virtually never accept responsibility for accidents involving their vehicles. This is why it is so important for accidents to be independently reviewed and evaluated.

Investigating Waymo Car Accidents

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this Tempe Waymo accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered at this time.

Do you need more information about a Waymo car accident in Tempe? Our team of accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.