Injured in a Waymo Self-Driving Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Know

A recent incident in Phoenix drew national attention when a passenger reportedly jumped out of a Waymo self-driving vehicle after it stopped on train tracks with an oncoming train approaching. While the passenger escaped a direct collision, the situation raised serious questions about the safety of autonomous vehicles and what rights passengers and other road users have when something goes wrong.

If you were injured in or by a self-driving vehicle in Arizona, you may be uncertain about what to do next. Breit Biniazan represents individuals hurt in motor vehicle accidents, including those involving autonomous technology. Our attorneys help clients understand who may be responsible, what legal options are available, and how to pursue compensation when cutting-edge technology fails to keep people safe.

The Recent Waymo Self-Driving Car Incident in Phoenix

According to reports, a Waymo vehicle carrying a passenger came to a stop on active train tracks and did not move as the train approached. The passenger exited the vehicle moments before impact. Incidents like this highlight how autonomous systems can malfunction or fail to respond appropriately to real-world hazards, putting passengers and others at serious risk.

While investigations often focus on technical details, injured individuals and their families are left dealing with fear, trauma, medical concerns, and unanswered questions about accountability.

Common Causes of Autonomous Car Accidents

Self-driving vehicles rely on a combination of software, sensors, cameras, and algorithms. When one part of that system fails, the consequences can be severe. Common causes of autonomous vehicle accidents include:

These cases are often more complex than traditional car accidents because liability may extend beyond who was in control of the vehicle.

Who Is Responsible When a Self-Driving Car Causes an Accident?

Determining responsibility in a Waymo self-driving car accident requires careful legal analysis. Unlike traditional crashes, where a human driver’s actions are usually the focus, autonomous vehicles introduce layers of technological and corporate responsibility. Liability may involve the vehicle manufacturer, software developer, maintenance providers, or even a human overseer, depending on how and why the collision occurred.

Manufacturer Liability and Software Errors

If an autonomous vehicle’s sensors, cameras, or driving algorithms malfunction, the manufacturer or technology developer may be legally accountable. These cases often fall under product liability claims, which are designed to hold companies responsible for defective products that cause harm. 

Common examples include faulty LIDAR systems, software glitches that misinterpret road conditions, or inadequate safety protocols in the design. Proving such claims typically requires expert testimony to trace the malfunction directly to a design or manufacturing defect.

Human Oversight and Safety Driver Responsibility

Even though self-driving vehicles are highly automated, many are still monitored by human safety drivers or remote operators. If a human supervisor fails to intervene when the system malfunctions or ignores warning alerts, they may share liability for the resulting crash. 

In some cases, the company employing the safety driver can also be held accountable for inadequate training or supervision. Establishing liability in these scenarios often involves reviewing operational logs, safety protocols, and company policies regarding human oversight.

Negligence and Product Liability Claims

Self-driving car accident lawsuits often combine negligence and product liability theories. This means attorneys must consider whether a person or company failed to act with reasonable care, and whether the vehicle itself contained a defect that made it unsafe. 

Claims may target both the technology developers and those responsible for deploying or maintaining the vehicle on public roads. Because these cases involve cutting-edge technology, they frequently require expert analysis of the vehicle’s data systems, design standards, and safety testing procedures.

What to Do After a Self-Driving Car Accident in Arizona

If you are involved in a Waymo or other autonomous rideshare accident, the actions you take in the hours and days that follow can significantly affect your physical recovery and your ability to pursue compensation.

  1. Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor or you feel shaken rather than hurt, get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, especially head, neck, or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates important documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
  2. Report the incident to law enforcement: Call the police and make sure an official report is created. A police report helps establish when and where the accident occurred and may include critical details about the vehicle, roadway, and circumstances surrounding the crash.
  3. Document the scene and your injuries: If it is safe to do so, take photos or videos of the vehicle, surroundings, visible injuries, and any damage. Capture details such as the vehicle number, Waymo branding, and road conditions. This evidence can become especially important if liability is disputed later.
  4. Avoid making statements to insurance companies without guidance: Insurance adjusters and corporate representatives may contact you quickly after an autonomous vehicle accident. Even casual statements can be used to minimize or deny a claim. It is best to avoid giving recorded statements or signing documents before speaking with an attorney.
  5. Preserve ride-related data and communications: Save screenshots, emails, app notifications, ride receipts, or messages related to the autonomous vehicle ride. This digital information can help establish control of the vehicle, timing, and system behavior at the time of the incident.
  6. Contact an attorney experienced with vehicle accident cases: Autonomous vehicle claims involve technology, corporate defendants, and evolving laws. Reaching out to a law firm experienced in serious injury and complex liability cases helps ensure evidence is preserved, your rights are protected, and the claim is positioned for a fair outcome from the start.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim Against Waymo?

Yes, in many situations you may be able to file a personal injury claim involving a Waymo vehicle. Claims may be brought by passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or occupants of other vehicles. Compensation may be available for:

Because autonomous vehicle claims involve advanced technology and corporate defendants, these cases require thorough investigation and legal experience.

Why Choose Breit Biniazan for Self-Driving Car Accident Cases

Autonomous vehicle accidents present new legal challenges that require a deeper level of investigation, technical understanding, and legal strategy than traditional car crash cases. When advanced technology fails, large corporations and their insurers often move quickly to limit responsibility. Breit Biniazan has experience handling serious injury claims involving complex liability questions and emerging technologies, allowing the firm to step in early and protect clients from being overwhelmed or sidelined by powerful defendants.

Breit Biniazan supports injured clients throughout every stage of a self-driving car accident case by:

Throughout the process, our firm remains focused on protecting injured individuals while holding companies accountable for unsafe technology. We provide steady guidance, clear communication, and determination in cases where cutting-edge innovation has placed public safety at risk.

Contact Our Arizona Car Accident Lawyers for Help

Self-driving vehicles are becoming more common, but safety failures can still lead to devastating consequences. If you were injured in a Waymo self-driving car accident in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, Breit Biniazan can help you understand your rights and legal options. 

Contact us today at (855) 659-4457 for your free, confidential consultation and learn more about how we can help you after a devastating accident.

What Has to Be Proven in an Arizona Dram Shop Claim?

Arizona’s dram shop laws allow injured people and grieving families to hold bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol providers accountable when overserving leads to serious harm. While the concept sounds straightforward, dram shop claims are detail-driven and often contested aggressively by businesses and their insurers.

If you’re wondering what actually has to be proven in an Arizona dram shop claim, the answer comes down to a few specific legal elements set out under state law. Missing even one of them can make or break a case.

At Breit Biniazan, our attorneys can break down what Arizona law requires, how these cases are proven, and why early investigation matters.

Arizona Dram Shop Law and Legal Requirements

Arizona dram shop claims are governed primarily by A.R.S. § 4-311. This law does not make bars automatically responsible for everything a customer does during or after drinking. Instead, it sets a clear legal standard that must be met before liability applies.

To succeed, the injured party must show that the alcohol provider’s actions went beyond normal service and crossed into legally recognizable misconduct. The focus is not just on drinking, but on overserving someone who showed visible signs of intoxication and the chain of events that followed.

Selling Alcohol to an Obviously Intoxicated Person in Arizona

One of the most important elements in any Arizona dram shop claim is proof that alcohol was sold to someone who was obviously intoxicated at the time of service.

Arizona law looks at outward, observable signs and not just blood alcohol content.

Signs of obvious intoxication may include:

The key concern is whether a reasonable person serving alcohol would have noticed these signs while continuing to sell drinks.

This part of the case often turns on witness testimony, video footage, and employee observations. Bars frequently argue that intoxication was not apparent, which makes this element one of the most disputed in dram shop litigation.

Proving the Alcohol Sale Contributed to Intoxication

The next requirement focuses on causation. It must be shown that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant contributed to the person’s intoxication, regardless of if that person had consumed alcohol somewhere at some point.

This becomes especially important when a person visits multiple locations or drinks before arriving at the business. Defense teams often argue that another establishment or private drinking was the true source of intoxication.

In Arizona dram shop claims, this issue is addressed by looking at timing, drink volume, receipts, and witness accounts to establish that the alcohol served played a meaningful role in the intoxication that followed.

Linking Intoxication to Injury or Death

Arizona law also requires proof that the intoxication caused the injury, crash, or fatal event. This connection must be direct enough to show that the harm would not have occurred in the same way without the intoxication. Common scenarios include:

Investigators often rely on police reports, crash reconstructions, and toxicology results to establish this link. Bars and insurers frequently try to break this connection by pointing to other factors, such as speeding, weather conditions, or third-party actions. Strong dram shop claims anticipate these arguments early.

Potential Damages Available in an Arizona Dram Shop Claim

Damages may include medical expenses, lost income, permanent injuries, or wrongful death losses. In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue compensation for loss of companionship, financial support, and funeral costs.

Evidence Used to Prove Dram Shop Liability in Arizona

Because dram shop claims rely on proof of behavior and timing, evidence tends to disappear quickly. Early action often makes the difference between a strong case and one that falls apart. Common evidence can include:

Each piece helps reconstruct what the bar knew, or should have known, before continuing to serve alcohol to an intoxicated person.

Why Arizona Dram Shop Claims Are Often Challenged

Alcohol providers rarely admit fault. Many cases involve lost footage, uncooperative witnesses, or arguments that intoxication was not visible. Businesses may also claim employees followed training protocols or that the customer appeared fine when served.

These defenses make dram shop cases more complex than standard injury claims. They also explain why detailed investigation and trial-level preparation are often necessary.

When a Bar May Not Be Liable Under Arizona Law

Not every alcohol-related injury leads to dram shop liability. Arizona law limits responsibility in situations where intoxication was not apparent, alcohol was not sold directly, or another event clearly caused the harm.

Contact Breit Biniazan for Legal Guidance on Dram Shop Claims

With over $2 billion won and counting, our firm is built on a simple principle: never settle for less. If you believe a bar or restaurant may share responsibility for an alcohol-related injury or death, contact the experienced team at Breit Biniazan in Phoenix to discuss what happened and whether Arizona’s dram shop law applies to your case.

Paragard Lawsuit Update 2025: What You Need to Know

Thousands of women across the country have filed lawsuits after being injured by a Paragard IUD. If you have been affected by a defective IUD, you are not alone, and you have options to seek justice after your injury.

There are many active lawsuits that allege that the copper intrauterine device fractured or broke during removal, leading to painful and sometimes permanent injuries. These can drastically change the lives of those affected, leading to long-lasting chronic pain.

At Breit Biniazan, our attorneys are dedicated to keeping you informed and fighting for your rights after being injured by a defective product. Below is an overview of the latest updates in the Paragard litigation, who may qualify to file, and what to expect next in 2025 and beyond.

Overview of the Paragard Lawsuit

Thousands of women have filed lawsuits alleging that the device’s manufacturers failed to warn patients and healthcare providers about these dangers. Below is an overview of the current litigation and its key developments in 2025.

Current Status of Lawsuits and Court Proceedings in 2025

As of October 2025, more than 3,500 lawsuits are pending in the Paragard multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The MDL consolidates federal claims to streamline evidence gathering, expert testimony, and case management.

The court has scheduled the first bellwether trials for late 2025 and early 2026. These early test cases will help determine how future claims may be valued and whether the manufacturers may move toward a broader settlement.

Background on Paragard IUD and Reported Complications

The Paragard IUD is a non-hormonal contraceptive device made of copper and plastic, approved to provide up to ten years of birth control. Many plaintiffs claim that during removal, one or both of the IUD’s plastic arms may have broken off, leaving fragments embedded in the uterus or surrounding tissue. These complications could require surgical removal and may cause internal injury, infertility, or chronic pain.

Injury Types and Alleged Manufacturer Negligence

Plaintiffs allege that the manufacturers failed to design a safe product and did not provide adequate warnings about the risk of breakage during removal. The lawsuits claim that manufacturers were aware of these risks but failed to update the labeling or provide sufficient safety instructions to doctors and patients.

If you have been injured by a defective Paragard, you may be able to seek compensation for your injury.

Who Is Eligible to Join the Paragard Lawsuit

Thousands of women across the U.S. have been affected by a broken Paragard. If you’re one of the many women who have been injured, you may meet the qualifications to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Conditions and Injuries Covered Under the Lawsuit

You may qualify to join the Paragard lawsuit if you:

If you are unsure if you meet the qualifications, don’t hesitate to give Breit Biniazan a call. One of our experienced Paragard IUD lawsuit attorneys will be able to go over your circumstances and determine eligibility for pharmaceutical litigation.

Timeline and Location Requirements

To be eligible, the injury must have occurred within the applicable statute of limitations for your state. Because these deadlines vary, speaking with an attorney as soon as possible can help preserve your rights.

Documentation and Medical Proof Needed to Qualify

Supporting evidence may include:

An experienced lawyer will be able to help you gather these critical records.

How to Join the Paragard Lawsuit

If you experienced complications after using a Paragard IUD, you may be eligible to participate in ongoing litigation against the device’s manufacturers. Joining the lawsuit can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain, and other losses related to your injury.

Steps to Take If You Believe You Have a Claim

If you believe you were injured by a Paragard IUD, follow these steps:

  1. Gather your medical records related to the implantation and removal of the device.
  2. Document your symptoms, treatments, and any surgeries performed.
  3. Contact a qualified law firm, such as Breit Biniazan, for a free case evaluation.
  4. If eligible, your attorney will help file your claim in the Paragard MDL or an appropriate state court.

It is important to act fast in gathering these critical records and contacting an attorney before any important deadlines pass.

Recent Legal Developments and Case Updates

While no global settlement has been announced as of October 2025, the court has moved forward with key pretrial motions and discovery. The first bellwether trials are expected to begin in January 2026, followed by additional cases in early 2026. The results of these trials may help shape the path toward potential settlements.

How Ongoing Cases May Affect New Claimants

If early bellwether trials result in favorable verdicts for plaintiffs, manufacturers may consider settlement discussions to resolve remaining claims. However, individuals who delay filing could face stricter deadlines or miss the opportunity to participate in potential future compensation programs. It is important to begin the conversation with an attorney as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on any potential compensation that may be awarded to those injured.

Potential Compensation and What Plaintiffs Can Expect

Women pursuing Paragard claims may be entitled to financial compensation for injuries and related losses. While settlement amounts have not yet been determined, several key factors can influence how much compensation a plaintiff may receive.

Factors Influencing Compensation Amounts

Potential compensation in Paragard cases can vary depending on:

If settlements occur, they may follow a tiered system based on injury severity and evidence of device failure. Your attorney will be able to give you an estimate as to the amount of compensation you may be able to receive but there is no guarantee until a settlement or ruling is reached.

Why Choose Breit Biniazan for Your Paragard Lawsuit Claim

At Breit Biniazan, our attorneys have decades of experience representing individuals harmed by defective medical devices. We understand the intricacies of mass tort litigation and work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Our team can assist you with:

Your health matters, and our defective Paragard IUD attorneys seek justice on your behalf.

Contact Breit Biniazan Today for a Free Paragard Lawsuit Consultation

If you were injured by a Paragard IUD, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Acting now ensures you stay ahead of any bellwether trials happening early next year.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today at (855) 659-4457 for a free, confidential consultation. Our attorneys will review your case, explain your options, and guide you through every step of the legal process.

What You Need to Know About Surgical Never Events

Never events are a kind of medical mistake that should never happen. When they concern surgeries, these events are usually serious, mostly preventable, and of concern to the public and healthcare providers for the purpose of accountability.

An example of a surgical never event would be leaving a foreign object in a patient, which can happen as many as 1,500 times each year in the United States according to a 2012 study. The never event was first introduced in 2001 by Dr. Ken Kizer in reference to egregious medical errors. Other errors can include performing surgery on the wrong body part, operating on the wrong patient, performing the wrong surgery on a patient, and intraoperative or immediately postoperative/postprocedure death.

Doctors who commit acts of gross negligence often need to compensate patients or their families for surgical never events. Between 1990 and 2010, malpractice payments for these errors reached more than $1.3 billion. These payments do more than just aim to punish the physician at fault; they are intended to compensate people for additional inpatient and disability care, lost work days, and the loss of a loved one.

On the national and local levels, programs have been created to help eliminate surgical never events. Hospitals have implemented briefings, checklists, and root-cause analysis of adverse events. They have even added institutional safety training programs for hospital staff.

Trial Practice: Does It Really Make Sense to Take the Deposition of Your Opponent’s Expert Witness?

For most trial lawyers, it is a knee-jerk reaction to schedule and take the deposition of the opposing expert witnesses. Indeed, it is rare for trial lawyers to go to trial without first having taken the depositions of the other side’s experts. Too often there is little or no consideration of whether or not it really makes sense to take the expert’s deposition. Such consideration should be made in every case. If the trial lawyer engages in such a critical examination, it is suggested that more times than not he or she will conclude that it is not advantageous to take the expert’s deposition.

In both state and federal courts in Virginia, full disclosure of an expert’s opinions and supporting reasons thereof is required by the discovery rules. Indeed, failure to properly disclose an opinion will result in the expert being excluded from giving such testimony at trial. See e.g., John Crane, Inc. v. Jones, 274 Va. 581, 650 S.E. 2nd 851 (2007). Consequently, it often is much easier at trial to limit the opposing expert’s permissible testimony to within the four corners of his or her expert designation than it is to do so with a several hundred page deposition in which the expert likely dodged or hedged his or her responses to most questions.

In so many cases, the opposing experts are known commodities, whose testimonies have been recorded in numerous prior cases. Gaining access to such prior transcripts is relatively easy thanks to the numerous expert witness databases and practitioner listserves. Such transcripts typically contain fodder for effective cross-examination at trial.

There are considerable reasons not to take the expert’s deposition:

While there are certainly situations in which taking the deposition of the opposing expert is necessary, most notably to set up a motion to exclude, in many cases it may be advisable to refrain from taking the deposition. In every case, the trial lawyer should ask himself or herself: “Does it really make sense to take the deposition of my opponent’s expert?” It is suggested that the answer to this question more times than not will be “No”.

Burn Injuries: Causes & Symptoms

There are many different causes of burn injuries, but the most common include exposure to heat, chemicals, or electricity. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury but may include pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. Sometimes you may need to get medical help if you think you might have severe burn injuries that are not healing. This article will highlight some of the main things you need to know about burn injuries.

Burn injury causes

Scalds from hot liquids or steam account for approximately 20% of all burn injuries, while contact with hot objects such as stoves, irons, or fires account for another 20%. 

Electrical sources account for 15% of burn injuries, while chemicals account for 10%. Flames or other sources make up the remaining 35%. Of all burn injuries, approximately 40% occur in children under the age of 14. These statistics highlight the need for increased education and awareness about burn prevention, especially among children and young adults.

Burn injury types

According to the American Burn Association, there are approximately 486,000 burn injuries treated in U.S. hospitals each year. This startling statistic underscores the importance of burn prevention. 

Burn injuries can be classified as first, second, or third-degree depending on how deep and severe they penetrate the skin, with third-degree burns being the most serious. The majority of burn injuries (70%) are classified as first or second-degree burns, while the remaining 30% are third-degree burns.

Burn injury symptoms

First-degree burns only affect the outer layer of the skin, causing redness, pain, and swelling. Second-degree burns affect the outer and underlying layer of skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Third-degree burn symptoms include white or blackened skin, severe pain, swelling, and blistering at the site of the burn. Fourth-degree burn symptoms, which tend to be the highest level of burn and can be life-threatening, include white or blackened skin, severe pain, swelling, and charring at the site of the burn. If you experience any of these symptoms after a burn injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If a burn gets infected, it can be painful and dangerous. Symptoms of an infected burn include increased pain, redness, swelling, and puss or other drainage from the wound. If you think your burn might be infected, see a doctor right away.

Burns can also cause shock, which is a life-threatening condition that happens when your body doesn’t get enough blood flow. Symptoms of shock include dizziness, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, and fainting. If you think someone has gone into shock after a burn injury, call for help immediately.

Burn injury prevention

There are many things you can do to prevent burn injuries. When cooking, use the backburners of the stove and keep the pot handles turned inward so children can’t reach them. 

Keep lighters and matches out of reach, and make sure your children are aware of the ‘stop, drop, and roll’ rule if their clothes catch on fire. When using chemicals, always follow the directions carefully and wear gloves and other protective gear. Be extra careful around electrical outlets and cords, and never stick anything metal into an outlet. Keep flammable liquids away from heat sources, and never smoke inside the house. 

By taking these simple precautions, you can help prevent burn injuries from happening in the first place.

When to see a doctor

Burn injuries can range from minor to severe, and it is important to seek medical attention if the burn is large or deep, if it affects the face, hands, feet, or genitals, or if it covers more than 10 percent of the body. If you have a burn that is not healing or seems to be getting worse, you should also see a doctor. 

In addition, burns that are accompanied by signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, and puss, require prompt medical treatment. Finally, if you have been burned by a chemical or an electrical source, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. If you are unsure whether or not you need to see a doctor for your burn injury, you can always call your local medical provider for advice.

Burn injury myths

Do not listen to everything that you hear about burn injuries. There are a few myths that may prevent a person from getting the help that they require. For example:

Burn injuries can be very serious, and it is important to get accurate information about the causes, types, and symptoms of burn injuries so that you can get the treatment you need. 

No matter what happened, if someone else caused your burn injury, you have legal rights. You may be able to seek compensation for the damages you have sustained as the result of a burn injury. Our Virginia burn injury lawyers at Breit Cantor Grana Buckner can help you. Call us today to discuss your potential lawsuit in a free consultation.