Fort Worth: Autonomous Trucking & Robot Injury Legal Resources

#

Fort Worth has emerged as a critical hub for autonomous trucking in America. While neighboring Dallas attracts robotaxi companies, Fort Worth’s strategic position at the intersection of major freight corridors makes it ground zero for commercial autonomous trucking—a fundamentally different liability landscape than passenger vehicles.

Autonomous Trucking Operations in Fort Worth

#

Fort Worth’s role in autonomous trucking centers on Aurora Innovation’s expanding commercial operations across Texas and the Sun Belt.

Aurora Innovation Commercial Operations

#

Aurora operates the most advanced autonomous trucking program in the United States, with Fort Worth serving as a central hub:

Dallas-Houston Lane (I-45):

• Launched driverless commercial operations in May 2025
• First commercial autonomous trucking service without human safety operators
• FMCSA safety case approved, permitting fully driverless operation
• Serves major freight customers on one of Texas’s busiest corridors

Fort Worth-to-El Paso Corridor:

• Spans approximately 600 miles along I-20 and I-10
• Connects DFW metroplex to the largest U.S.-Mexico border crossing
• Critical route for cross-border freight logistics
• Part of Aurora’s strategy to cover major Sun Belt freight lanes

Fort Worth-to-Phoenix Route:

• Commercial pilots began in the first half of 2025
• Expands Aurora’s network westward across the Southwest
• Connects Texas freight operations to Arizona distribution centers

Aurora’s Technology and Data

#

Aurora’s trucks generate extraordinary amounts of data relevant to liability claims:

• 1 terabyte per hour of sensor data during operation
• Collision-related data retained indefinitely under Aurora’s policies
• Non-critical telemetry retained for 90 days
• Comprehensive records of every decision the autonomous system makes
• Superior evidence availability compared to traditional trucking accidents

No Passenger Robotaxi Operations

#

Unlike Dallas, Fort Worth does not currently host robotaxi services:

• Waymo, Tesla, and Uber/Avride have not announced Fort Worth expansion
• The city’s autonomous vehicle landscape is dominated by commercial trucking
• Future robotaxi expansion may follow as companies complete Texas Triangle coverage

Why Fort Worth Trucking Liability Differs

#

Autonomous trucking creates a fundamentally different liability framework than passenger robotaxis. Understanding these differences is essential for anyone involved in an autonomous truck incident.

Commercial vs. Consumer Context

#

Autonomous trucks operate in a commercial freight context with:

• Higher regulatory oversight from FMCSA
• Larger corporate defendants in the trucking industry
• Greater damage potential due to vehicle size and weight
• Interstate commerce implications affecting jurisdiction
• Multiple commercial parties in the logistics chain

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Oversight

#

Commercial trucking falls under federal FMCSA regulations, creating additional regulatory layers:

• Safety case approval required for autonomous commercial operations
• Insurance minimums mandated for commercial carriers
• Vehicle maintenance requirements more extensive than consumer vehicles
• Hours of service regulations (though autonomous systems operate differently)
• Driver qualification standards for any human operators

Freight Industry Stakeholders

#

Unlike robotaxi accidents involving only the operating company and passengers, trucking incidents may involve:

• Technology providers (Aurora Innovation)
• Trucking company fleet operators
• Freight brokers arranging shipments
• Shippers and cargo owners
• Receivers expecting deliveries
• Maintenance providers
• Component manufacturers

Each party may bear responsibility depending on accident circumstances.

Texas Legal Framework

#

Texas law governs autonomous trucking operations alongside applicable federal regulations.

State Regulatory Authority

#

Under Texas SB 2205 (2017):

• Texas preempts local regulation of autonomous vehicles
• The state has sole authority over AV regulation—Fort Worth cannot impose additional restrictions
• Automated driving system owners are considered operators under state law
• Owners can be cited for traffic violations regardless of human presence

Liability Theories

#

Texas provides several avenues for autonomous trucking injury claims:

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

• Manufacturing defects in sensors, LiDAR, cameras, or computing hardware
• Design defects in the Aurora Driver system or similar autonomous technology
• Software errors that cause the system to make dangerous decisions
• Failure to warn about system limitations or known hazards

Negligence: Companies may be liable for:

• Deploying autonomous trucks in conditions known to be unsafe
• Failing to properly maintain vehicles or autonomous systems
• Inadequate oversight of autonomous operations
• Ignoring known safety issues or defects

Vicarious Liability: Companies may be responsible for:

• Actions of their autonomous systems (as “operators” under Texas law)
• Negligence of human employees involved in operations
• Acts of contractors or partners in the supply chain

Modified Comparative Fault

#

Texas follows a 51% bar rule for comparative fault:

• Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you’re more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages
• Multiple defendants’ fault is allocated separately
• Defense attorneys will aggressively argue victim fault

Statute of Limitations

#

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

Who Can Be Held Liable?

#

Autonomous trucking accidents typically involve more potentially liable parties than traditional vehicle accidents.

Aurora Innovation (Technology Developer)

#

As the autonomous system developer, Aurora may be liable for:

• Software defects in the Aurora Driver system
• Sensor failures that misinterpret road conditions
• Algorithm errors in decision-making
• Inadequate testing before commercial deployment
• Failure to address known issues through software updates

Trucking Company Fleet Operators

#

Companies operating Aurora-equipped trucks may be liable for:

• Negligent selection of autonomous systems without proper due diligence
• Inadequate maintenance of vehicles and autonomous equipment
• Operational decisions to deploy trucks in unsafe conditions
• Failure to monitor autonomous operations properly

Freight Brokers

#

Freight brokers arranging shipments may share liability for:

• Selecting carriers with inadequate safety records
• Creating pressure for unrealistic delivery schedules
• Failing to verify carrier insurance and compliance
• Knowledge of safety concerns without taking action

Shippers and Cargo Owners

#

Parties shipping goods may be liable for:

• Improper loading that affects vehicle handling
• Overweight shipments exceeding safe limits
• Hazardous cargo not properly disclosed or handled
• Unrealistic delivery demands creating unsafe pressure

Component and Sensor Manufacturers

#

Autonomous trucks rely on components from multiple suppliers:

• LiDAR manufacturers (Luminar, Velodyne, and others)
• Radar system providers
• Camera and imaging systems
• Computing hardware manufacturers
• Brake, steering, and powertrain 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 systems

Common Incident Scenarios

#

Autonomous trucking incidents present different challenges than passenger vehicle accidents.

Highway Incidents

#

Fort Worth’s position on major freight corridors means most incidents occur on interstate highways:

High-Speed Collisions:

• Rear-end collisions at highway speeds
• Lane change incidents during merging
• Construction zone navigation failures
• Emergency braking situations

Weather-Related Incidents:

• Visibility challenges during dust storms or rain
• Sensor limitations in adverse conditions
• Sudden weather changes on long-haul routes
• Ice and fog on elevated highways

Loading Dock and Terminal Incidents

#

Commercial operations involve facilities where autonomous trucks interact with workers:

• Loading dock accidents during freight transfer
• Backing incidents in warehouse areas
• Pedestrian collisions with workers on foot
• Equipment interactions with forklifts and yard vehicles

Intersection and Urban Delivery

#

When autonomous trucks enter Fort Worth for final delivery:

• Intersection incidents in commercial districts
• Residential neighborhood navigation challenges
• Bridge and overpass clearance issues
• Traffic signal interpretation problems

Truck Stop and Rest Area Incidents

#

Autonomous trucks must navigate commercial facilities:

• Parking lot incidents at truck stops along corridors
• Fueling area accidents during energy replenishment
• Pedestrian interactions at rest areas
• Low-speed maneuvering collisions

Evidence and Data Preservation

#

Aurora’s data retention practices provide unprecedented evidence availability—but prompt action is still essential.

Aurora’s Data Practices

#

Aurora’s autonomous trucks offer superior evidence compared to traditional accidents:

• 1 TB/hour of sensor data captures comprehensive scene information
• Collision-related data retained indefinitely—critical evidence preserved
• Non-critical telemetry retained 90 days—act quickly for complete records
• Decision logs documenting every autonomous system choice
• Communication records with remote monitoring centers

Company and Regulatory Records

#

Additional evidence sources include:

• Safety incident reports filed with FMCSA
• Aurora’s internal safety analyses
• Training records for human monitors
• Operational protocols and compliance documentation
• Communications about known issues or limitations

Third-Party Evidence

#

• Highway cameras and traffic monitoring systems
• Nearby business security footage
• Dashcam recordings from other vehicles
• Electronic logging device (ELD) data
• Weigh station records along the route

Preservation Urgency

#

Despite Aurora’s retention policies:

• Non-collision data may be overwritten after 90 days
• Third-party evidence (cameras, witnesses) degrades quickly
• Issuing formal preservation demands promptly protects your rights
• Early investigation captures perishable evidence

Steps to Take After an Autonomous Trucking Incident

#

1. Ensure Safety

#

Move to a safe location away from highway traffic if possible. Truck accidents often involve serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

2. Call 911

#

Request police and medical assistance. On interstate highways, Texas Highway Patrol typically responds to commercial truck incidents.

3. Document the Scene

#

• Photograph the truck from multiple angles, including sensor arrays and company logos
• Document damage to all vehicles involved
• Record the truck’s DOT number, license plates, and any visible identification
• Note weather, lighting, and road conditions
• Get witness contact information
• Look for nearby cameras that may have captured the incident

4. Identify the Autonomous System

#

Try to determine:

• Whether the truck was operating autonomously (look for Aurora branding)
• The trucking company operating the vehicle
• Any safety operator presence
• The cargo being transported if visible

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 cause severe injuries that may not be immediately apparent due to adrenaline or delayed symptoms.

7. Preserve Evidence

#

• Save all medical records and bills
• Document lost wages and economic losses
• Keep records of all communications with insurance companies
• Do not give recorded statements without legal advice
• Preserve any dashcam or phone footage
• Note the exact time and location for data retrieval requests

8. Consult an Attorney

#

Autonomous trucking cases require:

• Identification of all liable parties in the logistics chain
• Understanding of both federal FMCSA and state regulations
• Technical expertise to analyze autonomous system data
• Resources to pursue claims against large corporate defendants
• Experience with commercial trucking litigation

Local and Federal Resources

#

Tarrant County Courts

#

• Tarrant County District Courts handle civil matters
• Located at Tarrant County Justice Center, Fort Worth
• Experienced with commercial trucking litigation
• Jury pools familiar with transportation industry

Federal Court

#

• Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth 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
  • FMCSA compliance issues

Regulatory Agencies

#

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

Local Resources

#

• Fort Worth Police Department: Local accident reports
• Fort Worth Fire Department: Emergency response records
• Tarrant County Records: Official documentation

The Data Advantage in Autonomous Trucking Cases

#

Human error causes 94% of traffic accidents according to NHTSA. Autonomous trucking promises to reduce these accidents—but when autonomous systems fail, the data they generate provides unprecedented evidence.

Superior Evidence Availability

#

Unlike traditional trucking accidents where evidence may be limited to:

• Driver testimony (often disputed)
• Basic “black box” data
• Witness accounts
• Police reports

Autonomous truck accidents provide:

• Complete sensor recordings of everything the truck “saw”
• Decision logs showing exactly what the system chose to do
• Detailed timing of every action and response
• Communication records with monitoring centers
• Maintenance and calibration history

What This Means for Claims

#

This data advantage cuts both ways:

• For injured parties: Evidence clearly establishes what happened and why
• For defendants: They cannot hide behind “human error” excuses
• For courts: Technical evidence replaces conflicting testimony
• For settlements: Clear liability often accelerates resolution

Related Information

#

• Autonomous Vehicles - Comprehensive guide to self-driving vehicle liability
• Dallas - Dallas robotaxi operations and liability
• El Paso - The other end of Aurora’s Fort Worth corridor
• Houston - Texas’s largest autonomous technology market
• 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.