El Paso: Autonomous Trucking & Robot Injury Legal Resources

#

El Paso serves as a critical endpoint for Aurora Innovation’s expanding autonomous trucking network in Texas. As the largest U.S.-Mexico border crossing by trade volume and Texas’s sixth-largest city with approximately 680,000 residents, El Paso occupies a unique position in the autonomous vehicle landscape—not as a robotaxi market, but as a major hub for autonomous freight and cross-border logistics.

Autonomous Trucking Operations in El Paso

#

Unlike Austin, Dallas, and Houston, El Paso’s autonomous vehicle presence focuses almost entirely on commercial trucking rather than passenger robotaxis. This distinction shapes both the types of incidents that may occur and the legal approaches for addressing them.

Aurora Innovation Trucking Corridor

#

Aurora Innovation operates autonomous semi-trucks on the Fort Worth-to-El Paso route:

• Route spans approximately 600 miles along Interstate 10 and Interstate 20
• Uses heavy-duty semi-trucks equipped with Aurora Driver technology
• Connects to Aurora’s broader network including the Dallas-Houston and Phoenix corridors
• Part of Aurora’s strategy to cover major freight lanes across the Sun Belt
• Commercial freight operations serving logistics and shipping customers

Cross-Border Logistics Context

#

El Paso’s position on the U.S.-Mexico border creates unique considerations:

• Handles billions of dollars in annual cross-border trade
• Largest land port of entry for U.S.-Mexico commercial traffic
• Potential future expansion of autonomous trucking to international routes
• Complex jurisdictional questions for incidents near border crossings
• Customs and border patrol interactions with autonomous commercial vehicles

Current Status

#

As of late 2025:

• No passenger robotaxi services announced for El Paso
• Waymo, Tesla, and other robotaxi operators have not announced El Paso expansion plans
• Autonomous trucking represents the primary automated vehicle activity
• City may be added to Texas Triangle robotaxi expansion if demand warrants

Texas Autonomous Vehicle Law

#

Texas law governs all autonomous vehicle operations in El Paso, whether trucks or future passenger vehicles.

State Regulatory Framework

#

Under Texas Transportation Code and SB 2205 (2017):

• Texas preempts local regulation of autonomous vehicles
• The state has sole authority over AV regulation
• No additional El Paso-specific restrictions are permitted
• Automated driving system owners are considered operators under state law
• Owners can be cited for traffic violations regardless of human presence

Liability Principles

#

Texas provides multiple avenues for autonomous trucking injury claims:

Product Liability: Texas allows strict liability claims for defective products, including:

• Design defects in autonomous driving systems
• Manufacturing defects in sensors, LiDAR, cameras, or computing hardware
• Software failures in the Aurora Driver or similar systems
• Failure to provide adequate warnings about system limitations

Negligence: Claims may be brought against companies that:

• Deploy autonomous trucks in conditions known to be unsafe
• Fail to properly maintain or inspect vehicles
• Inadequately train safety operators or remote monitors
• Ignore known safety issues or defects

Modified Comparative Fault: Texas follows a 51% bar rule. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you cannot recover if found more than 50% responsible.

Statute of Limitations

#

Important: Texas’s two-year deadline is shorter than many states. Prompt action is essential to preserve your legal rights.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

#

Autonomous trucking accidents may involve multiple potentially liable parties, often more than a typical passenger vehicle incident.

Technology Providers

#

Aurora Innovation and similar autonomous driving system developers may be liable for:

• Defective autonomous driving software
• Sensor fusion failures that misinterpret road conditions
• Inadequate response to highway scenarios
• Software updates that introduce new hazards

Trucking Companies

#

Companies operating autonomous truck fleets may be liable for:

• Negligent selection of autonomous systems
• Failure to properly maintain vehicles
• Inadequate oversight of autonomous operations
• Pressure to operate in unsafe conditions

Freight Brokers and Shippers

#

Third parties in the logistics chain may share liability:

• Freight brokers selecting carriers with inadequate safety records
• Shippers imposing unrealistic delivery schedules
• Parties aware of safety concerns who fail to act

Component Manufacturers

#

Autonomous trucks rely on components from many suppliers:

• LiDAR manufacturers (Luminar, Velodyne, and others)
• Radar and camera systems providers
• Computing hardware manufacturers
• Brake and steering system suppliers
• Any component that fails may create manufacturer liability

Maintenance Providers

#

Third-party maintenance companies may be liable for:

• Negligent maintenance of autonomous systems
• Failure to properly calibrate sensors
• Missing scheduled safety inspections
• Improper repairs that compromise safety

Common Incident Scenarios

#

Autonomous trucking incidents in El Paso present different scenarios than urban robotaxi accidents.

Highway Incidents

#

The Fort Worth-El Paso corridor involves long stretches of Interstate highway:

• High-speed rear-end collisions
• Lane change and merge incidents
• Incidents during construction zones
• Weather-related visibility challenges
• Breakdown lane incidents

Truck Stop and Rest Area Incidents

#

Autonomous trucks must navigate commercial facilities:

• Parking lot incidents at truck stops
• Fueling area accidents
• Loading dock incidents
• Pedestrian interactions at rest areas

Border Area Considerations

#

El Paso’s location creates unique scenarios:

• Incidents near customs inspection facilities
• Traffic congestion at border crossings
• Interactions with commercial traffic crossing from Mexico
• Complex jurisdictional questions for incidents in border zones

Urban Delivery Routes

#

When autonomous trucks enter El Paso for final delivery:

• Residential neighborhood navigation
• Industrial area deliveries
• Interactions with local traffic patterns
• Bridge and overpass clearance issues

Evidence and Data Preservation

#

Autonomous truck data is crucial for establishing liability but requires prompt action to preserve.

Vehicle Data

#

Autonomous trucks generate extensive records:

• Sensor logs from LiDAR, radar, and cameras
• Decision records showing how the system responded
• GPS and route data documenting the truck’s path
• Communication logs with remote monitoring centers
• Maintenance records for the vehicle and autonomous system

Company Records

#

Critical documents include:

• Safety incident reports for the autonomous system
• Training records for human monitors
• Operational protocols and their compliance
• Communication about known issues or limitations

Third-Party Evidence

#

Additional evidence sources:

• Highway cameras and traffic monitoring systems
• Nearby business security footage
• Cell phone videos from witnesses
• Electronic logging device (ELD) data
• Weigh station records

Preservation Urgency

#

Autonomous vehicle data may be overwritten quickly. Acting promptly to issue preservation demands is essential before evidence is lost.

Steps to Take After an Autonomous Trucking Incident

#

1. Ensure Safety

#

Move to a safe location away from highway traffic if possible. Call for emergency assistance immediately.

2. Call 911

#

Request police and medical assistance. On interstate highways, Texas Highway Patrol will typically respond.

3. Document the Scene

#

• Photograph the truck, including any visible company logos and sensor equipment
• Document damage to all vehicles involved
• Note the truck’s identification numbers if visible
• Record weather, lighting, and road conditions
• Get witness contact information

4. Identify the Autonomous System

#

Try to determine:

• Which company’s autonomous system was operating (Aurora, etc.)
• The trucking company operating the vehicle
• Any visible markings indicating autonomous operation
• Whether a human driver was present

5. Report the Incident

#

• File a report with Texas Highway Patrol or local police
• Report to NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline (888-327-4236) for autonomous vehicle incidents
• Report to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for commercial truck incidents
• Consider reporting to Texas Department of Public Safety

6. Seek Medical Attention

#

Get evaluated even if injuries seem minor. Truck accidents often cause serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent.

7. Preserve Evidence

#

• Save all medical records and bills
• Document lost wages and other economic losses
• Keep records of all communications with insurance companies
• Do not give recorded statements without legal advice
• Preserve any dashcam or phone footage

8. Consult an Attorney

#

Autonomous trucking cases involve:

• Multiple potentially liable parties
• Complex technology requiring expert analysis
• Federal and state regulations for commercial trucking
• Large corporate defendants with significant resources

Local and Federal Resources

#

El Paso County Courts

#

• El Paso County District Courts handle civil matters
• Located at El Paso County Courthouse
• Diverse jury pool reflecting the border region community

Federal Court

#

• Western District of Texas, El Paso Division handles federal cases
• Federal jurisdiction may apply for:
  • Interstate commerce claims
  • Diversity of citizenship (out-of-state defendant, over $75,000)
  • Federal trucking regulation violations

Regulatory Agencies

#

• NHTSA: Autonomous vehicle safety concerns
• FMCSA: Commercial trucking regulation and safety
• Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: State vehicle registration and safety
• Texas Department of Public Safety: State law enforcement, highway patrol

Local Resources

#

• El Paso Police Department: Local accident reports
• El Paso Fire Department: Emergency response records
• El Paso County Records: Official documentation

Interstate Commerce Considerations

#

Autonomous trucking on the Fort Worth-El Paso corridor involves interstate commerce, potentially creating federal jurisdiction and additional regulatory requirements.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

#

Commercial trucks must comply with FMCSA regulations covering:

• Hours of service (though autonomous systems may operate differently)
• Vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements
• Driver qualification standards (for any human operators)
• Insurance minimums for commercial carriers

Jurisdictional Complexity

#

Interstate trucking incidents may involve:

• Multiple states if the route crosses state lines
• Federal court jurisdiction for interstate commerce
• Preemption questions between federal and state law
• Complex choice-of-law issues

Related Information

#

• Autonomous Vehicles - Comprehensive guide to self-driving vehicle liability
• Industrial Automation - Workplace automation injury resources
• Understanding Liability - General product liability principles
• Filing a Claim - Step-by-step guide to the claims process

This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Autonomous trucking operations and regulations continue to evolve. Consult with qualified legal professionals to understand your rights in specific situations.