Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
Texas has more roadway than any other state—over 675,000 miles—and every day, tens of thousands of 18-wheelers travel its interstates, highways, and rural routes. But as the volume of traffic grows, the condition of these roads—and the safety of the drivers on them—hasn’t kept pace.
In fact, someone is killed every 2 hours and 3 minutes on Texas roads. Large trucks are involved in a disproportionate number of these tragedies, accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities across the state. Even worse, many of these deadly crashes are entirely preventable.
Read on to learn more about the most dangerous Texas highways and how our undefeated Texas truck accident lawyers can stand up, fight, and win for your family after an 18-wheeler accident.
The Most Dangerous Roads in Texas for Truck Accidents
According to the latest crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Interstates, U.S. Highways, and State Highways account for 87% of all fatal truck accidents in Texas.
In 2024 alone, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported at least 470 deadly crashes involving 18-wheelers registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). These numbers reflect only crashes involving carriers operating under a USDOT number—meaning they are subject to federal safety regulations — so the actual number of fatal truck crashes is likely even higher. Preliminary data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suggests that truck accidents in Texas resulted in 719 fatalities and more than 11,000 serious injuries in the same year.
While urban counties like Dallas and Harris consistently top the list for truck accident deaths, a closer look at TxDOT’s crash data reveals an alarming trend: fatal truck crashes are rising sharply in rural areas—especially in oilfield regions and long-haul corridors. In fact, some of the deadliest stretches of road in Texas in 2024 were located far from major metro centers.
1. I-20, I-10 & State Highway 349 — The Permian Basin (Midland-Odessa)
The Midland-Odessa region remains the most dangerous area in Texas for large truck crashes, with over two dozen fatalities in 2024 alone. The region’s intense oilfield traffic is a major contributor—large trucks make up 22% of daily traffic here, far surpassing urban averages. Not surprisingly, nearly 25% of traffic deaths in Texas happen in the energy sector.
- I-20 in Midland-Odessa: At least 6 people lost their lives in truck accidents, with another 11 fatalities occurring on nearby rural roads including State Highway 302 and Loop 288.
- State Highway 349: A heavily traveled north-south route through Midland, saw 5 fatal truck crashes.
- U.S. Route 285 (“Death Highway”): In nearby Reeves County, 4 more lives were lost on this notorious route.
- At least two dozen more were seriously injured
2. I-635 & I-20 Loop — Dallas County
Dallas remains a hotspot for truck accidents, particularly around the I-635/I-20 loop, a complex, high-traffic interchange zone prone to congestion and frequent collisions.
- 12 truck accident deaths occurred on this loop in 2024—6 on I-635 (Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway) and 6 more on I-20 in South Dallas.
- This loop alone was responsible for 28% of all truck-related fatalities in Dallas County last year.
- At least 27 more were seriously injured in truck crashes on the loop
3. I-35 Corridor — From Fort Worth to San Antonio
Stretching through the heart of Texas, I-35 is a lifeline for freight and commerce and passes through some of the state’s most populated areas. Nearly half of all Texans live near this interstate, making it one of the busiest—and deadliest—truck routes in the state.
- Fort Worth (I-35W): 6 fatalities in Tarrant and Johnson Counties
- Austin to San Antonio: 8 truck-related deaths in the Texas Hill Country corridor
- Severe injuries: At least 50 more seriously hurt in crashes along the corridor’s urban and rural sections
4. I-10 Through Houston (Katy Freeway)
Houston’s portion of Interstate 10 is one of the busiest and most dangerous stretches in the nation.
- In 2024, 8 people died in truck crashes along this corridor, with accidents concentrated in Harris and Chambers counties.
- The area accounted for nearly 17% of all truck crash deaths in Greater Houston.
- At least 9 more were seriously injured in truck crashes
5. I-20 East Texas Corridor — Gregg and Harrison Counties
Running through Marshall, Longview, and surrounding towns, this rural section of I-20 is a vital freight route—and increasingly deadly.
- At least 9 truck crash fatalities occurred here in 2024, illustrating the risks of rural highways frequented by long-haul trucks.
Other Notable Truck Accident Hotspots in 2024
- I-10 (Central Texas): 8 fatalities occurred between Austin and Fayette Counties, with 4 in Colorado County alone.
- U.S. 54 (Hartley County): A December 2024 crash claimed 6 lives when a box truck and SUV collided in the Texas Panhandle.
- I-45 (Montgomery County): Between The Woodlands and Huntsville, 4 fatalities were reported on this heavily traveled interstate.
What Makes These Texas Roads So Dangerous?
Texas has thousands of miles of rural highways and farm-to-market roads that were never designed to handle the high volume of commercial traffic they now see daily. However, it’s been our experience that truck accidents in the state are never due to deteriorating roadways alone.
Most truck crashes are caused by reckless actions on the part of just a few, such as a driver’s negligent behavior behind the wheel or the company that poorly trained them.
Poor or inadequate roadway conditions
The state’s roads have seen more rapid wear and tear over the past decade—largely due to the frequency and weight of large oilfield trucks and 18-wheelers. In the Permian Basin alone, more than 340 million tons of sand and water are moved annually through an estimated 106,000 truck trips per day, according to one TxDOT study.
These deteriorating conditions can have deadly consequences. In August 2024, three people were tragically killed in Martin County when a truck suffered a tire blowout on State Highway 349. The driver attempted to pull off the road but was unable to due to a steep, sloping shoulder. Incidents like this underscore the dangers posed by inadequate infrastructure—especially on narrow, rural roads where maintenance often lags behind demand.
Speeding and Failure to Control Speed
Speeding remains one of the most frequently cited causes of truck accidents in Texas. With heavier vehicles requiring significantly more time and distance to come to a complete stop, even a slight misjudgment in speed can have devastating results. “Failure to control speed” is a common citation noted in crash reports, often following high-speed collisions on long, open stretches of highway.
Distracted Driving
Despite strict federal regulations aimed at limiting mobile device use by commercial drivers, Distracted driving continues to be a major contributor to truck crashes. Texting, GPS use, and even hands-free calls can divert a driver’s attention long enough to cause a serious or fatal collision. The issue is especially concerning as more inexperienced drivers—many of whom haven’t received proper safety training—get behind the wheel and allow themselves to be distracted.
Driver Fatigue
Long hours on the road and unrealistic delivery deadlines lead many truck drivers to push themselves beyond safe limits. Fatigued drivers may drift across lanes or completely lose focus—both of which are frequently noted in post-crash investigations. “Failure to drive in a single lane” is one of the most common citations tied to fatigued or impaired driving in truck accidents throughout Texas.
Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers
Due to a growing shortage of qualified drivers, many trucking companies are lowering their hiring standards. Some rely on third-party logistics providers who fail to properly vet drivers, while others allow undertrained and younger drivers to operate massive trucks on hazardous routes. New or inexperienced drivers unfamiliar with Texas roadways—especially in areas with frequent oilfield traffic and unpredictable weather—are more prone to make critical errors behind the wheel.
Traffic Congestion and Road Sharing
In urban areas like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, traffic congestion adds yet another layer of risk. Large trucks have larger blind spots and require more space to maneuver, making them especially dangerous in stop-and-go traffic where one miscalculation can lead to multi-vehicle pileups. Meanwhile, rural roadways often lack adequate lanes or shoulders for vehicles to safely pass or pull over.
Equipment Failures and Mechanical Malfunctions
Many commercial vehicles on Texas roads are older models or poorly maintained due to high mileage and constant use. Tire blowouts, brake failures, and steering malfunctions are all common factors in large truck crashes. When companies cut corners on routine maintenance to save time or money, it’s other drivers who often pay the price.
What to Do After a Truck Accident on a Texas Highway
From the moment of impact, trucking companies and their insurers move fast to shift blame and protect themselves—sometimes even destroying evidence. To protect your rights, you need to act just as fast.
Call 911: Reporting the crash ensures a police report is filed, which will serve as key evidence.
Get Medical Attention: Some injuries don’t show up right away. Seeing a doctor creates a medical record that documents your condition.
Document the Scene: If it’s safe, take photos, get the truck driver’s and any witness info, and note visible damage.
NEVER Communicate With the Trucking Company or Its Insurer: Don’t give statements or sign anything. No matter what they promise, the trucking company’s insurer is not on your side.
Know the Deadline: In Texas, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can cost you the chance to recover compensation.
Billions Won: Our History of Representing Truck Accident Victims on Texas’ Most Dangerous Highways
At Zehl & Associates, we’ve built a national reputation on securing record-setting results for truck accident victims across Texas—including those injured or killed on some of the state’s most notoriously dangerous highways, like I-635, I-35, I-10, and I-20.
In 2024, our truck accident attorneys, led by firm founder Ryan Zehl, won a record-setting $37.5M verdict for the family of a truck driver who tragically lost his life in a collision on I-635 West in Dallas. The victim had pulled over after his 18-wheeler became disabled between the shoulder and the outside lane. As he inspected the vehicle, a service truck owned by Oncor Electric slammed into the back of the rig, causing a fatal impact. After two weeks at trial, we held Oncor fully accountable—delivering the largest verdict in Oncor’s corporate history and ensuring our client’s family would be financially secure for life.
Our team has consistently achieved record-setting recoveries for victims of 18-wheeler and oilfield truck crashes across Texas, including:
- $35M Settlement for the family of a man killed in a crash on I-35 in Fort Worth—the largest single-plaintiff personal injury settlement in Fort Worth history and the largest in the corporate history of Ben E. Keith.
- $32M Verdict for a family seriously injured in a head-on collision with an oilfield truck in West Texas.
- $20M settlement for the wife of a 64-year-old man killed in a head-on crash with an 18-wheeler on a two-lane Farm-to-Market road north of Houston.
From rural two-lane highways to the busiest interstates in the country, we know how to take on the trucking and oilfield companies responsible—and win.
How Zehl & Associates Can Help After a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident
After a large truck crash, the trucking company and their teams of insurers and lawyers will stop at nothing to avoid responsibility and pay you and your family as little as possible for your injuries and losses.
At Zehl & Associates, we have the resources and experience to stand up against any trucking company in the world and not only win, but set records.
Once hired, we do whatever it takes to recover the maximum compensation possible and support you every step of the way:
- Ensuring you have access to leading medical experts across the country and that you receive the specialized care and treatment your injuries require
Making sure your reasonable living expenses are covered while your case is pending - Bringing in nationally-recognized experts—from accident reconstructionists to biomechanical engineers—to determine how the crash occurred and why it never should have happened
- Securing vital evidence before it disappears, including onboard camera footage, black box data, driver logs, maintenance reports, and more to hold the trucking company and their driver fully accountable for the harm they’ve caused
- NEVER settling for less than the maximum compensation you deserve — we will always refuse any offer that doesn’t fully compensate you for all of your injuries and losses
- Preparing every case for trial, so if the trucking company won’t pay what you deserve, they’ll see us in the courtroom—where we’ve never lost a case
But don’t just take our word for it. Hear why our clients say “Zehl treats you like family.”
Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Attorneys: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won and decades of experience, our undefeated Texas truck accident attorneys have successfully represented thousands of crash victims in Texas and across the U.S., repeatedly recovering the largest verdicts and settlements in history. We don’t just win. We set records.
If you or someone you love were injured or tragically killed in a truck accident in Houston, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
All consultations are free, and because we work on a contingency fee, you won’t owe us a cent unless we win your case.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours