Autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles are often marketed as the future of safer roads, promising to reduce crashes caused by human error. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, and adaptive cruise control, are designed to assist drivers and help prevent accidents, however, they are not designed to replace humans. Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems fall into this category, as they still require the driver to remain fully attentive and ready to take control at all times.
Full Automated Driving Systems (ADS), by contrast, are designed to operate vehicles without active human supervision under certain conditions. Waymo’s self-driving system, known as the Waymo Driver, is an example of ADS capable of performing all driving tasks within defined geographic areas without a human driver behind the wheel.
In theory, these systems should lower crash rates, improve traffic safety, and even save lives. But as more vehicles equipped with ADAS and ADS technology enter real-world traffic, data shows that crashes still occur, and sometimes in unexpected ways. These incidents affect not only the drivers and passengers inside these vehicles but also pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone sharing the road.
How Crashes Involving Autonomous Vehicles Are Happening
A recent study analyzed 2,150 autonomous-vehicle-related incidents reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and some clear patterns emerged. Crashes involving ADAS-equipped vehicles tend to happen on highways during straight-driving scenarios, often in rainy weather. Many of these are rear-end collisions, frequently linked to delayed driver reactions when drivers rely too heavily on the system to respond in time.
Crashes involving ADS vehicles look different. These incidents are more likely to occur at intersections and are more common in clear weather, where systems are expected to perform best. Even so, fully automated systems still struggle in complex situations that require quick judgment, such as navigating cross traffic, interpreting unusual road conditions, or reacting to unexpected behavior from other drivers.
The severity of these crashes varies. About 82% resulted in property damage only. Around 15% involved injuries, and just over 2% were fatal. While most crashes were not life-threatening, even lower-severity incidents can lead to serious injuries, costly repairs, and complicated insurance and legal issues. When broken down by company, the data shows a notable difference in how often certain systems are involved in reported crashes. Waymo vehicles accounted for just over 50% of incidents, followed by Tesla at 8.5% and GM at 7.6%.
Tesla, Waymo, and What the Numbers Show
The study also breaks down which companies’ vehicles were involved. Just over half of the reported incidents involved Waymo-powered vehicles. While Waymo operates one of the largest autonomous vehicle testing fleets in the country, the number is still notable given how often these vehicles are operating on public roads. Most notably, publicly reported Waymo crashes in California have largely involved property damage rather than physical injuries.
Tesla vehicles accounted for a smaller, but still significant, portion of crashes involving driver-assistance technology. Tesla’s systems fall under ADAS rather than full autonomy, meaning drivers are still expected to stay alert and maintain control. Crashes involving Tesla vehicles using Autopilot or Full Self-Driving have been linked to serious injuries and fatalities nationwide, underscoring the risks when driver-assistance systems are misunderstood or misused. However, branding and public perception can sometimes blur that distinction, which may contribute to drivers placing too much trust in the technology.
Overall, reported incidents increased sharply over time. By early 2025, crashes involving autonomous technology surged to levels that exceeded all previous years combined, reflecting both increased adoption and expanded testing on public roads.
What This Means for Everyday Drivers
Despite the advances, no vehicle on the road today is truly hands-off. ADAS systems are designed primarily for highway use, while more advanced ADS technology is typically used in controlled urban environments. Each system has strengths and limitations, and performance can vary based on speed, lighting, weather, and even how old or updated the system is.
For drivers, the biggest risk is overconfidence. Relying too heavily on automation can slow reaction times and reduce awareness when something unexpected happens. For pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists, autonomous vehicles introduce new uncertainties, especially at intersections and in mixed traffic environments where human behavior is unpredictable.
Legal Options After an Autonomous Vehicle Crash
When a crash involves autonomous or semi-autonomous technology, figuring out who is responsible can be more complicated than in a typical car accident. Depending on the circumstances, liability may involve the driver, the vehicle manufacturer, the software developer, or other parties involved in maintaining or updating the system.
People injured in crashes involving Tesla, Waymo, or other autonomous vehicles may have legal options if system malfunction, design flaw, or misleading safety claims played a role. These cases often require careful investigation into vehicle data and system performance to understand what went wrong.
Autonomous vehicle technology is evolving quickly, but it is still a work in progress. While ADAS and ADS systems offer real benefits, they are not foolproof, and the data shows they are far from eliminating crashes altogether. Until these technologies are fully reliable, caution, awareness, and accountability remain essential for everyone on the road.