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Steve Kherkher - October 2, 2026
Self-driving vehicles are becoming a more visible part of transportation in Texas. For years, autonomous driving technology was largely in testing and development stages. Today, Texans in cities including Houston and Dallas can request rides in fully autonomous vehicles, meaning a passenger may enter a vehicle without a human driver sitting behind the wheel.
That expansion raises an important legal question: What happens when a robotaxi crashes and someone is injured?
For an injured passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or another motorist, determining responsibility may be more complicated than in a collision with another motorist. A crash involving an autonomous vehicle can raise questions about the vehicle itself, the automated driving system, the company operating the vehicle, and other factors.
At Kherkher Garcia, our Houston self-driving accident attorneys understand that emerging vehicle technology can create new questions in serious injury cases. We help victims and families understand their legal options after crashes involving advanced driver-assistance and autonomous vehicle technology.
Texas is becoming an important market for autonomous transportation. Earlier this year, Waymo began inviting riders in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio to test the rides. By August, Waymo announced that its service was fully available to anyone in Houston and Dallas, rather than being limited to invited riders.
Tesla has also expanded its robotaxi operations in Texas. Reporting in April 2026 indicated that Tesla’s robotaxi service had expanded to Dallas and Houston after beginning in Austin. More recently, Tesla began limited rides using its fully autonomous Cybercab in select areas of Austin.
For Texas residents, this means autonomous vehicles are no longer simply a technology being tested. They are becoming part of the transportation environment in major Texas cities. As these vehicles become more common, accidents involving them may create questions that traditional car accident cases do not.
A robotaxi is a vehicle that provides passenger transportation through a ride-hailing service while an automated driving system does the driving. Texas law distinguishes an automated motor vehicle from an automated driving system. Under the Texas Transportation Code, there are three levels of automation:
An automated motor vehicle is capable of Level 4 or Level 5 automation, while an automated driving system can encompass Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 automation. Texas law also provides that when an automated driving system is engaged, the system is considered the operator of the vehicle for purposes of applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws.
That does not automatically answer who may be legally responsible for an injury. A personal injury claim involves different legal issues from a traffic citation or violation. The circumstances of the specific crash, the parties involved, applicable law, and available evidence all matter.
There may not always be a single obvious answer to this question. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation into a serious autonomous vehicle crash could examine several potential sources of responsibility. Responsibility may fall on any of the following:
A company operating a commercial autonomous vehicle may have responsibilities involving the vehicle, its operation, maintenance, safety procedures, and compliance with applicable requirements. Texas now requires authorization for certain commercial operations involving automated vehicles transporting passengers or property without a human driver. Commercial automated vehicles must also meet specified requirements involving:
A crash may also raise questions about the vehicle or automated driving system itself. An investigation after a collision would likely examine whether a vehicle component, sensor, software system, warning system, or other technology performed as expected. That does not mean a manufacturer is responsible simply because its vehicle was involved in a crash. Evidence must be evaluated to determine whether a product defect or other legally significant issue may have contributed to the incident.
Autonomous vehicles still share Texas roads with conventional vehicles. A crash could involve another driver’s negligence, such as:
Vehicle maintenance can also become relevant because commercial vehicles must be properly maintained. If a component or system was improperly inspected, repaired, installed, or maintained, investigators may need to determine whether that was a factor in the crash.
Autonomous vehicles operate within a physical environment that can change quickly. There are concerns about whether the vehicle can adequately identify hazards and respond accordingly. Roadway and environmental concerns include:
This can be particularly important in Texas, where driving conditions can vary dramatically between major metropolitan areas and coastal communities. For example, a crash involving an autonomous vehicle in Houston may present different roadway and environmental circumstances than one occurring in Galveston where coastal weather, flooding, and tourism traffic are bigger concerns.
Autonomous vehicle accident cases involve evidence that is different from a conventional car accident. An investigation may need to examine information such as:
Texas law requires automated motor vehicles operating under the applicable statutory framework to have a recording device installed by the manufacturer or automated driving system. That type of information could be important when investigators are trying to determine what happened immediately before a collision.
Autonomous vehicles interact with people outside the vehicle, too. A collision involving a pedestrian or cyclist will likely require examination of whether the automated system detected the person, how the vehicle responded, roadway and visibility conditions, and whether any other factors contributed to the collision. These cases can be particularly serious because pedestrians and cyclists have far less physical protection than passengers inside motor vehicles.
If you were seriously injured in a crash involving a robotaxi or another autonomous vehicle, you may have questions about what happened, who should be investigated, and what your legal options are to pursue recovery. Because autonomous vehicle cases can involve technology, software, vehicle data, multiple companies, and complicated insurance or liability issues, an investigation may require more than simply reviewing a traditional police report.
That’s why it is so important to contact a skilled Houston autonomous accident attorney after a collision. An attorney will help evaluate the circumstances of a potential claim, answer your questions, and help determine the best path forward.
At Kherkher Garcia, we represent accident victims and families dealing with serious injuries involving emerging vehicle technology. We understand that self-driving and autonomous vehicle cases require a different approach from a traditional car accident case. Our goal is to help victims understand what happened, identify the issues that may affect their claims, and pursue the legal options that may be available under the circumstances.
Potentially responsible parties may include the autonomous vehicle operator, vehicle or technology manufacturer, maintenance provider, another driver, or other parties.
Texas allows automated motor vehicles to operate under state law, and commercial operations without a human driver are subject to authorization requirements established by Texas law.
A passenger injured in an autonomous vehicle crash may have potential legal claims depending on the circumstances and available evidence.
After a crash, potentially important evidence may include vehicle data, system information, recordings, crash-scene evidence, medical records, witness statements, and information about the vehicle’s operation.
Not by itself. The specific facts and evidence surrounding the crash would need to be evaluated.
Robotaxi companies may carry commercial insurance or other financial responsibility coverage for their autonomous vehicles, but coverage can depend on the circumstances of the crash, the company involved, and applicable law. A review of the accident and the available insurance coverage can help determine what options may exist.
Autonomous vehicles are changing the way Texans get around. While changing technology may change the legal process, it doesn’t mean that victims are left without options. When technology is involved in a serious crash, victims still deserve answers.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a robotaxi or self-driving vehicle accident in Houston, Dallas, Galveston, or elsewhere in Texas, Kherkher Garcia can help. Our attorneys can answer your questions and help you understand your potential legal options. To get started, call us at 713-333-1030 for a free consultation. Have questions? Submit our online contact form to connect with our team.
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Steve Kherkher is passionate about serving his clients. He has dedicated his life to championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Steve Kherkher, along with Trial Lawyer Jesus Garcia, founded Kherkher Garcia, and under their leadership, the firm achieved unprecedented success within its first three years.
With a career spanning over 35 years, Steve’s tireless pursuit of justice for his clients has earned him national recognition and numerous accolades as an exemplary trial attorney.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
