Autonomous trucks are now operating on Texas highways—and they’re raising questions about road safety, liability, and what this means for everyday drivers. They’re no longer just experimental—they’re now moving commercial freight between Texas cities with no human driver behind the wheel. While tech companies promise faster and safer deliveries, many Texans are wondering: Are Texas roads safer with self-driving trucks?
Aurora Innovation, a self-driving technology company, launched its commercial self-driving trucking service without drivers earlier this month. The company began regular driverless customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston and has completed over 1,200 miles without a driver on board. Aurora is the first company to operate a commercial self-driving service with heavy-duty trucks on public roads and has plans to expand its driverless service to El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, by the end of 2025.
Why Are Driverless Trucks Allowed in Texas?
Texas has quickly become a national hotspot for autonomous vehicle (AV) testing and deployment. Unlike many other states, Texas law does not require a human operator to be present in self-driving commercial trucks. As long as companies self-certify that their technology meets safety standards, they’re allowed to operate on public roads.
State officials have embraced this innovation in hopes of attracting investment and improving supply chain efficiency. But this forward-leaning stance leaves everyday drivers sharing the road with large trucks guided only by artificial intelligence.
In our earlier posts on this topic—Texas Roads Are Becoming Test Tracks for Autonomous Vehicles and New Regulations Discussed for Driverless Cars in Texas—we highlighted the risks and legal gray areas that come with this rapid rollout and outlined the ongoing debate over how these vehicles should be regulated—especially when it comes to liability and safety enforcement.
Safety Concerns about Self-Driving Trucks
Self-driving truck developers believe that autonomous systems are safer and more efficient because they don’t suffer from fatigue, distraction, or impairment, can react faster than humans in emergencies, reduce delivery times, and address driver shortages. However, critics point out that real-world road conditions are unpredictable, and AI may not handle situations like sudden lane changes, poor weather, or construction zones as effectively as a human. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If its sensors or software malfunction, the consequences can lead to catastrophic injuries. Without a driver in the cab, there’s no one to intervene when things go wrong.
What Happens After a Crash Involving a Driverless Truck?
The growing presence of driverless trucks on Texas highways means drivers need to be alert. You might be driving next to a fully autonomous vehicle with no human operator inside. Accidents involving AVs are legally complex and raise unique questions of liability that set them apart from typical commercial truck accidents involving human drivers. Is the trucking company responsible? Did the software developer fail to prevent a crash? What if maintenance was neglected?
In a traditional truck accident, liability often focuses on driver negligence, such as speeding, fatigue, and distracted driving, and the trucking company’s practices. In driverless truck accidents, the questions of fault shift to tech developers, manufacturers, or fleet operators. There also could be more parties held liable in autonomous vehicle crashes, including the self-driving technology company, hardware manufacturers, software developers, the freight company using the technology, and maintenance contractors or companies used for remote monitoring.
Insurance companies may try to deny or delay claims after an accident, including one with a driverless vehicle. Multiple parties might point fingers to avoid accountability, and more research is needed to address how self-driving trucks are insure. With all these unknowns, it’s vital to consult a Texas car wreck attorney to assist in the aftermath of a driverless crash. An attorney can investigate the cause of the accident with the help of experts, identify all liable parties, and fight for full compensation for injuries. You should look for a law firm that understands the evolving self-driving technology, the current state of Texas laws, and how to fight for maximum compensation for accident victims.
At The Cochran Firm Texas, our attorneys are experienced in complex personal injury and truck accident litigation. We represent clients injured in self-driving truck accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, and other catastrophic car wreck cases. We have the resources and legal insight to take on major corporations and autonomous tech companies. If you’ve been injured by a driverless semi-truck, you shouldn’t have to go up against these powerful companies alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, or call us toll-free at (800) 843-3476. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and explore every option available for compensation.
At Cochran Texas, we understand that needing legal help can be scary. It doesn’t have to be. We are a trusted leader in the legal profession and in our community. We know you are more than a case number. We get to know you as a person. This allows us to offer a balanced and thoughtful approach to giving you the best possible legal representation. Our mission is to protect the legal rights of ALL people in our community. No matter your race, gender, background or income level you have a right to skilled legal help. Call us at 800-843-3476.
