What to Do if You Get in an Accident With a Self-Driving Car in 2026 (Follow These 4 Steps)

Knowing what to do if you get in an accident with a self-driving car will help make the situation less stressful. Whether you’re the one in the self-driving car or were involved in a self-driving car crash, it is important to call authorities, document the scene, and talk to your insurance company.

In complex accident cases, it is wise to consult a lawyer for assistance in determining fault and navigating damages when filing an auto insurance claim.

Read on to learn more about accidents with self-driving cars and how to protect yourself with the best types of auto insurance. If you are interested in finding auto insurance coverage for accidents today, use our free quote tool to find affordable companies near you.

4 Steps to Follow After an Accident With a Self-Driving Car

What happens if you get hit by a driverless car? Accidents with self-driving cars do happen, especially with more autonomous cars like Waymo emerging on the roads in states that allow self-driving cars. Our self-driving car accident list of steps details what to do.

Step #1: Contact Authorities

You may be wondering what to do when there’s no driver to get information from or if you’re at fault in a crash with a self-driving car. You’ll still follow the typical steps after an accident: call the police, take photos of the damages, and notify your insurance company.

Immediately after the accident, make sure you and all involved parties are safe. If possible, move your car to the side of the road. Call emergency services for assistance, especially if there are injuries.

Law enforcement documentation will be necessary for most cases involving self-driving cars, especially if there is video surveillance footage, which will help when filing for at-fault accidents.

Step #2: Document Damages and Injuries

It is important to document damages and injuries as thoroughly as possible when you file your insurance claim. Collect as much of the following as possible:

• Photographs and Videos: Record the damages, injuries, and street conditions to show your insurance company.
• Contact Information: Collect the insurance information and contact info of the other party.
• Medical Assistance: Keep track of any medical bills and treatments from the accident.
• Police Reports: Make sure to get a copy of the police report, and check that it includes witness statements if applicable.

If the car is fully autonomous, it can be difficult to know what contact information to collect. In these cases, you will need to collect the manufacturer or company’s details and the license plate. You can file an insurance claim without a police report, but the police can assist in gathering contact information and support your claims while the adjuster investigates.

Step #3: Notify Insurance Company

Ideally, you should give your auto insurance company a call within a day or two of the accident. Provide them with all of the accident information you collected, such as police reports, photographs, and contact information.

Be very clear about the role of the self-driving car in the accident, whether you were the one driving it or you were involved in an accident with a self-driving car. A vehicle operating autonomously could impact the claims process by drawing out the investigation process, especially if the self-driving car malfunctioned.

Your insurance company may want to contact the manufacturer in cases where malfunction is suspected, which could make the claims process take longer.

Learn More: If someone hits my car, do I call my insurance or theirs?

Step #4: Contact a Lawyer if Necessary

Who is responsible if a self-driving car causes an accident? Should car companies be held responsible for self-driving car accidents? It can be difficult to determine who is responsible for self-driving car accidents, but companies may be held responsible in some cases for severe manufacturing errors.

However, because self-driving car accidents can be complex with assigning fault, it is also prudent to reach out to a lawyer if you are having trouble with your claim after an accident.

It is wise to seek assistance from an experienced lawyer in legal cases involving self-driving cars. Lawyers can help determine comparative negligence in a self-driving vehicle accident.

Whenever there are serious injuries, damages, or disputes regarding fault, you should consult with a lawyer (Read More: How to Dispute an Auto Insurance Claim). They will help protect your interests and navigate the complexity of a self-driving car accident claim.

The Best Insurance Coverage for Accidents

Data about self-driving car accident rates vs. human car accident rates is still emerging, and with more autonomous cars on the road, it is more important than ever to protect yourself in case of an accident. Full coverage auto insurance will provide the best protection, whether you are the owner of a self-driving car or want to protect yourself against one.

Below, you can see average full coverage rates versus bare minimum liability rates at popular auto insurance companies.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates for Liability vs. Full Coverage

Liability insurance is the cheapest, but it only pays for other people’s accident costs if you cause an accident. Full coverage will pay for your own accident costs in a variety of situations. You may also want to consider carrying umbrella insurance if you are the owner of a self-driving car, as it will help pay legal fees in lawsuits.

The more auto insurance coverage you carry, the better financially protected you will be in an accident. Shopping around at different companies and applying for discounts will help make coverage more affordable while still protecting yourself and your vehicle.

Preparing Yourself for Self-Driving Car Accidents

It is impossible to prevent some accidents from happening, but you can protect yourself in self-driving vehicle accidents by knowing what to do if you get in an accident with a self-driving car like Waymo and having the proper insurance coverage.

However, while knowing how to handle an accident with a self-driving car will help you with claim filing, in difficult cases where fault is hard to assign to a party or the autonomous car malfunctioned, it is wise to seek out the counsel of an experienced lawyer. They can help you with your self-driving car case and help you reach a fair settlement (Read More: What is a fair settlement for an auto accident?).

Ready to find protection for yourself and your vehicle today? Compare quotes and find affordable companies with our free tool.