The accident happened less than two blocks from Grant Elementary School located along Pearl Street on Friday, January 23
Santa Monica, CA – A Waymo car struck and injured a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica last week on Friday, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration and Waymo officials.
The accident happened less than two blocks from Grant Elementary School located along Pearl Street on Friday, January 23.
Authorities reported that the accident happened during student drop-off hours. According to Waymo officials, a child entered the roadway from behind a parked SUV and was hit by the Waymo car.
The Waymo driver reportedly braked hard but was unsuccessful in avoiding the child. The child stood up after the accident and was able to walk onto the sidewalk.
The child was treated by paramedics for minor injuries following the incident.
The Waymo car was stopped at the scene and the driver waited until authorities arrived.
The company alerted the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, which is currently investigating the circumstances of the accident.
Los Angeles County has historically experienced significant traffic safety challenges, although recent data indicates some improvements in its California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) rankings and a decrease in total victims killed and injured from peak years. The county consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous in the state for traffic collisions, leading in both population and accident volume. In 2022, there were 8,944 victims killed and injured in total fatal and injury collisions, which gave the county an OTS ranking of 14 out of 15 comparable entities, indicating improvement from previous years, where it ranked 1/15 (worst) in 2018 and 2019. Despite overall improvements in rankings, specific collision types remain a concern. In 2022, there were 1,524 pedestrian victims killed and injured, and 475 bicyclist victims killed and injured. Pedestrians, in particular, account for a disproportionately high number of traffic deaths in the region, a trend that has persisted in recent years. Alcohol-involved collisions also contributed significantly to the 2022 statistics, with 1,676 victims killed and injured.
Have you been injured in a car accident? Seek legal help from a car accident lawyer
When you get involved in a motor vehicle accident, the physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming. At Pacific Attorney Group, our car accident lawyers will help you navigate the entire legal process smoothly, build a strong case, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer.