The streets of San Antonio are about to witness a revolutionary change. Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has begun testing its autonomous vehicles throughout the Alamo City. As these futuristic vehicles navigate neighborhoods like Shearer Hills, Harris, Gardendale, and Tobin Hill, along with major highways including I-10, I-35, I-37, and US-281, San Antonio residents and personal injury attorneys alike must prepare for a new era of transportation—and the complex legal questions that come with it.
The Promise of Safer Roads Through Autonomous Technology
According to data shared by Waymo, cities where autonomous vehicles (AVs) operate have experienced an impressive 81% reduction in injury crashes. This statistic offers hope for San Antonio, where thousands of accidents occur annually due to human error. Dr. Samer Dessouky, a UTSA professor specializing in autonomous vehicle research, confirms that eliminating human factors like drunk driving, fatigue, and distracted driving could significantly reduce crash rates on Texas roads.
However, as personal injury attorneys, we must ask: What happens when accidents still occur? Who bears responsibility when a self-driving car causes injury or property damage?
Understanding Waymo’s Phased Approach to San Antonio Streets
Waymo’s deployment strategy involves three distinct phases:
- Human-Driven Testing: Initially, Waymo vehicles will have human drivers behind the wheel, mapping San Antonio’s unique road conditions and traffic patterns.
- Supervised Autonomous Driving: The vehicles will operate autonomously but with human safety drivers ready to intervene if necessary.
- Fully Autonomous Operation: Eventually, these vehicles will navigate San Antonio streets without any human supervision.
This phased approach raises important questions about liability during each stage. As San Antonio personal injury lawyers, we must understand how responsibility shifts as human control diminishes.
The Evolving Landscape of Liability in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Traditional Auto Accident Liability
In conventional car accidents, Texas personal injury law typically focuses on driver negligence. We examine whether a driver:
- Failed to maintain proper lookout
- Violated traffic laws
- Drove while intoxicated or distracted
- Failed to maintain their vehicle properly
Autonomous Vehicle Liability: A New Paradigm
With self-driving cars, the liability landscape becomes significantly more complex. Potential responsible parties may include:
1. The Vehicle Manufacturer (Waymo/Google) If a software glitch or hardware failure causes an accident, product liability laws may apply. Victims could potentially pursue claims against Waymo for:
- Defective design
- Manufacturing defects
- Failure to warn about known risks
2. Software Developers and Component Suppliers Modern autonomous vehicles rely on numerous third-party components and software systems. If a specific component fails—such as a LiDAR sensor or navigation software—multiple parties could share liability.
3. Human Safety Drivers (During Testing Phases) During supervised testing, human safety drivers retain some responsibility for preventing accidents. Their failure to intervene when necessary could establish negligence.
4. Other Human Drivers Even with perfect autonomous vehicle technology, human drivers may still cause accidents by failing to adapt to AV behavior or deliberately attempting to confuse autonomous systems.
Insurance Implications for San Antonio Residents
The introduction of self-driving cars challenges traditional auto insurance models. Current Texas law requires all drivers to maintain minimum liability coverage of:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
But who insures a driverless car? Several models are emerging:
Corporate Insurance Models
Companies like Waymo will likely carry substantial commercial insurance policies to cover their fleet operations. These policies may offer higher coverage limits than typical personal auto insurance, potentially benefiting accident victims.
Hybrid Insurance Approaches
During the transition period, we may see hybrid insurance models where both the autonomous vehicle operator and individual passengers carry coverage.
No-Fault Insurance Considerations
Some experts advocate for no-fault insurance systems for autonomous vehicles, where victims receive compensation regardless of fault determination. While Texas currently follows a fault-based system, the advent of self-driving cars may prompt legislative reconsideration.
Gathering Evidence in Autonomous Vehicle Accidents
Personal injury cases involving self-driving cars require different evidence-gathering approaches than traditional accidents. Critical evidence may include:
1. Vehicle Data Logs Autonomous vehicles generate extensive data about their operations, including:
- Speed and location information
- Sensor readings
- Decision-making algorithms
- System warnings or errors
2. Software Version History Understanding which software version was operating during an accident becomes crucial for establishing whether known bugs or issues contributed to the crash.
3. Environmental Conditions AVs may struggle with certain weather conditions, construction zones, or unexpected obstacles. Documenting these factors becomes essential.
4. Interaction with Human Drivers Video footage and witness testimony about how human drivers interacted with the autonomous vehicle may prove critical.
Unique Challenges in San Antonio’s Urban Environment
San Antonio presents specific challenges for autonomous vehicle navigation:
Complex Road Infrastructure
Our city’s mix of historic neighborhoods, modern highways, and ongoing construction projects creates a challenging environment for AV algorithms. Areas where Waymo is testing—including the I-10, I-35, and I-37 interchange areas—rank among Texas’s most complex highway systems.
Weather Considerations
San Antonio’s weather, from sudden thunderstorms to flash flooding, poses unique challenges for sensor-based navigation systems. How AVs perform during our unpredictable weather patterns remains to be seen.
Cultural Driving Patterns
Every city has its unique driving culture. San Antonio drivers’ habits, from navigating frontage roads to dealing with our numerous construction zones, may present scenarios that AV algorithms haven’t encountered elsewhere.
Legal Precedents and Future Legislation
As one of the first major Texas cities to host extensive autonomous vehicle testing, San Antonio may help establish important legal precedents. Current areas of legal uncertainty include:
Determining Fault
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system, where victims can recover damages if they’re less than 51% at fault. How courts will apply this standard to accidents involving autonomous vehicles remains unclear.
Statute of Limitations
Texas generally allows two years to file personal injury claims. However, cases involving complex technology may require extended investigation periods, potentially affecting these deadlines.
Regulatory Framework
City Manager Erik Walsh has indicated that San Antonio officials are meeting with police and fire departments to establish protocols for AV operations. These regulations may impact liability determinations in future accidents.
Protecting Your Rights in the Age of Autonomous Vehicles
As self-driving cars become more common on San Antonio streets, accident victims must understand their rights:
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention Regardless of whether a human or computer was driving, your health comes first. Document all injuries and follow medical advice.
2. Document Everything Take photos of all vehicles involved, including any visible sensors or “self-driving” markings. Note weather conditions, road construction, and any unusual circumstances.
3. Don’t Accept Quick Settlements Autonomous vehicle accidents may involve multiple liable parties and complex insurance arrangements. Early settlement offers may not reflect the full value of your claim.
4. Preserve Electronic Evidence Request that all electronic data from the autonomous vehicle be preserved immediately. This data can be overwritten or deleted if not properly preserved.
5. Consult Experienced Legal Counsel These cases require attorneys who understand both traditional personal injury law and emerging technology issues.
The Future of Personal Injury Law in San Antonio
As Waymo expands its presence in San Antonio, we anticipate several developments:
Specialized Legal Expertise
Personal injury firms will need to develop expertise in autonomous vehicle technology, software liability, and complex multi-party litigation.
New Settlement Dynamics
With deep-pocketed tech companies potentially liable for accidents, settlement negotiations may differ significantly from traditional auto accident cases.
Legislative Evolution
Texas lawmakers will likely address autonomous vehicle liability through new legislation, potentially creating specific frameworks for AV accident claims.
Insurance Innovation
New insurance products designed specifically for the autonomous vehicle era will emerge, potentially offering better coverage for accident victims.
Conclusion: Preparing for San Antonio’s Autonomous Future
While Waymo’s promise of reducing injury accidents by 81% offers hope for safer San Antonio streets, the transition period will inevitably produce new challenges and legal complexities. As Professor Dessouky noted, we should expect “some glitching in the beginning” and “unusual reactions from these vehicles” as the technology adapts to our unique urban environment.
For San Antonio residents, the key is staying informed and prepared. Whether you’re sharing the road with these vehicles as a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian, understanding your rights in case of an accident becomes increasingly important.
The integration of autonomous vehicles into San Antonio’s transportation ecosystem represents both tremendous opportunity and significant challenge. While the technology promises to reduce human error—eliminating drunk driving, distracted driving, and fatigue-related accidents—it introduces new variables into our legal system.
As personal injury attorneys, we remain committed to protecting the rights of accident victims, whether they’re injured by human drivers or autonomous vehicles. The fundamental principle remains unchanged: those who cause harm through negligence or defective products must be held accountable.
If you’re involved in an accident with an autonomous vehicle in San Antonio, don’t navigate these complex legal waters alone. The intersection of technology and law requires experienced guidance to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. As our city embraces this transportation revolution, we stand ready to protect your rights in this new era of mobility.
For more information about your rights following an accident involving autonomous vehicles or traditional automobiles in San Antonio, contact Ryan Orsatti Law for a free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
