Deadliest Truck Accident States: Texas Leads the Country

Undefeated Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

Imagine driving down an open stretch of highway while sharing the road with an 80,000-pound semi-truck speeding past. For far too many Americans, this isn’t just a typical commute—it’s a potential tragedy waiting to happen. 

This danger is especially prevalent in the Lone Star State. 

In fact, according to a recent report from the Truck Safety Coalition (TSC), when it comes to sheer numbers, Texas leads the nation in fatal truck and 18-wheeler accidents by a significant margin.

810 Texas Truck Accident Deaths in 2022

The TSC report examined national crash statistics from 2022 – one of the worst years for truck and 18-wheeler accident fatalities in modern history. That year alone, collisions involving big rigs claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people across the United States and caused over 160,000 serious injuries.

The most truck accident deaths – 810 – occurred in Texas, securing the state the top spot among the TSA’s Dirty Dozen. The 11 other states making the list included:

• California: 436 fatalities
• Florida: 368 fatalities
• Georgia: 265 fatalities
• Illinois: 218 fatalities
• Ohio: 213 fatalities
• North Carolina: 193 fatalities
• Pennsylvania: 185 fatalities
• Arizona: 173 fatalities
• Indiana: 172 fatalities
• Alabama: 156 fatalities
• Tennessee: 154 fatalities

Preventing Texas Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents

Addressing the growing crisis on Texas’s roads and throughout the nation will require a multi-pronged approach, including:

• Stricter Enforcement of Federal Trucking Regulations: Ensuring that truck drivers adhere to hours-of-service limits and that vehicles are properly maintained.
• Advanced Safety Technologies: Promoting the adoption of automatic braking systems and lane-departure warnings in commercial vehicles.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating drivers on how to safely share the road with large trucks.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Widening highways, creating dedicated truck lanes, and enhancing rural road safety measures.

In issuing its report, the TSC specifically called for the following:

• The NHTSA to finalize its Automatic Emergency Braking rule for all commercial vehicles
• The FMCSA to complete its speed limiter rule for commercial motor vehicles
• Congress to require the NHTSA to conduct side underride guard impact testing
• The FMCSA to mandate that all new motor carriers pass a knowledge exam proving they know and can implement the federal regulations required to safely operate a motor carrier business, including those hauling hazardous materials.
• Congress to prohibit regulatory exemptions allowing longer and heavier trucks.

Causes of Texas Truck Accidents

Why are truck and 18-wheeler accidents so prevalent across Texas?

For one thing, the state’s highways serve as essential conduits for industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, and manufacturing, ensuring a constant flow of commercial traffic at all hours. Major metropolitan areas like Dallas, Houston, and Austin typically see the heaviest congestion, where the high number of vehicles, including large trucks, significantly increases the potential for collisions. The state  – particularly the panhandle region – is also no stranger to sudden and extreme weather events, including torrential downpours, strong winds, and even ice storms, all of which can make it more difficult for truckers to maintain control of their big rigs.

In light of these less-than-favorable conditions, it’s critical that truck drivers and trucking companies operating in Texas make safety their top priority. Unfortunately, it’s been our experience that the vast majority of Texas truck accidents are entirely preventable and result from human error, mechanical failures, or other factors entirely within their control, such as:

• Driver Fatigue:  Despite regulations limiting a commercial driver’s hours of service, tight delivery schedules frequently lead to violations, which can cause fatigue. Sleep-deprived truckers typically exhibit slower reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic crashes.
• Speeding: Speeding is a leading cause of accidents on Texas roadways. When a truck traveling at high speeds needs to stop suddenly, the consequences can be devastating, particularly for passenger vehicles caught in its path.
• Distracted Driving: Using mobile devices, GPS systems, or eating while driving often has tragic results. Distracted driving raises the risk of collisions, especially in heavy traffic or during lane changes.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Big rigs traveling through Texas are typically loaded down with goods or transporting heavy equipment or hazardous materials. Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing rollovers or jackknife accidents.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Trucks engaged in interstate transport can travel hundreds of miles every day. Without rigorous maintenance, key systems such as brakes and tires can fail, leading to deadly mechanical breakdowns.
• Inexperienced Drivers: The trucking industry is facing a driver shortage, leading companies to hire less-experienced operators. These inexperienced drivers may not be equipped to handle the complexities of Texas’ roads, such as sudden weather changes or high-speed traffic.
• Alcohol and Drug Impairment: Despite the existence of strict regulations prohibiting commercial drivers from drinking or using mind-altering drugs while on the job, driver impairment still contributes to far too many Texas truck and 18-wheeler accidents.
• Failure to Follow Trucking Regulations: Violations such as exceeding weight limits, skipping required rest breaks, or overloading trucks with hazardous materials are common contributors to accidents. Ignoring trucking regulations is not only illegal but also significantly increases the risks of rollovers, mechanical failures, and explosions.

Staying Safe on Texas’s Truck-Clogged Roads and Highways

Sharing the road with 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks requires extra vigilance and caution. When driving along Texas’s truck-congested highways, always keep the following in mind:

• Stay Out of Blind Spots (“No-Zones”): Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides: directly behind, in front, and along the sides near the cab. If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, assume the driver cannot see you.
• Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Tailgating a big rig is always dangerous, as trucks require much more time and distance to stop. Leave at least a four-second gap to ensure you have time to react if the truck brakes suddenly.
• Pass Safely and Quickly: When passing an 18-wheeler or other large truck, ensure you have plenty of space. Pass quickly but safely, and avoid lingering in the truck’s blind spots. Always signal your intentions and return to the lane only when you see the truck in your rearview mirror.
• Avoid Cutting off Trucks: Due to their long stopping distances, cutting in front of a semi-truck or tractor-trailer is always risky. Allow plenty of room before merging in front of a truck.
• Be Cautious During Wide Turns: 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles need extra space to make wide turns, especially on the right. Never try to squeeze between a turning truck and the curb. Give trucks the room they need to maneuver safely.
• Adjust for Weather and Road Conditions: Trucks are more vulnerable to adverse weather conditions like rain, ice, or high winds. Exercise extra caution when visibility or road traction is reduced, and avoid sudden braking or lane changes near trucks.
• Anticipate Longer Stopping Distances: Big rigs need considerably more distance to stop than passenger vehicles. Avoid sudden braking or abrupt lane changes that can force the truck driver to make an emergency maneuver.
• Avoid Distracted Driving Stay focused on the road, especially when driving near a big rig. Using your phone, adjusting the radio, or engaging in other distractions can cause you to miss critical changes in traffic conditions.
• Yield Properly on Inclines and Declines: Large trucks may struggle to accelerate uphill or need extra time to slow down on steep declines. Allow them the space to navigate these areas without interference.
• Be Mindful of Tire Blowouts: Truck tire blowouts are common and can send large debris into nearby lanes. Keep a safe distance from trucks to avoid potential hazards from sudden tire failures.
• Watch for Emergency Signals: If an 18-wheeler or other large truck uses hazard lights, reduces speed, or moves to the shoulder, proceed cautiously and give it space. This indicates a potential mechanical issue or an emergency stop.

After a Texas Truck Accident: Do’s and Don’ts

A truck or 18-wheeler accident is nothing like a typical motor vehicle crash.

Because of their sheer size and weight – a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. – those traveling in smaller passenger vehicles are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a collision with a big rig.  As a result, verdicts and settlements awarded to these victims tend to be significantly larger as well and very often break records.

That’s why the trucking company, its insurance carrier, and their teams of attorneys will always take immediate steps to avoid paying you and your family the compensation you deserve, even if that means blaming you, downplaying your injuries, and destroying or “losing” critical evidence that proves the company and its driver were to blame. To ensure that you’ll be fully compensated for all of your injuries and losses, it’s critical that you act just as quickly to preserve your rights and avoid any mistakes that could prevent you and your family from recovering all that you are owed.

• Report the Accident: Calling 911 will ensure the crash is documented in an official police report. You’ll also need to promptly inform your insurance company of the accident, as failure to do so could result in a detail of coverage that would prevent you from receiving PIP, Med-Pay, and other necessary benefits.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Avoid discussing fault with anyone or apologizing for the crash, as these statements can be used against you. Even if you think you were partially to blame, it’s best to limit discussion of fault to your attorney.
• Gather Evidence: If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the crash scene, vehicles, and any visible injuries. Be sure to take down the truck driver’s DOT number and collect contact information from others involved in the crash and any witnesses.
• Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Get checked out at the emergency room, even if your injuries seem minor or you don’t think you were hurt. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, and seeing a doctor right away will ensure your condition is documented.
• Don’t Accept Quick Settlement Offers: An insurance company’s initial offers rarely reflect the full extent of your losses, and once you sign on, you’ve agreed to accept the settlement and waive your right to file a lawsuit in the future.
• Consult An Attorney: To avoid mistakes that could significantly reduce your financial recovery and prevent you from receiving the medical care you need now or in the future, it’s CRITICAL that you contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer as soon after the crash as possible.
• Don’t Communicate with the Trucking Company or Its Insurer Adjuster: You’re not obligated to speak with them or give a recorded statement. Leaving all such communications to an experienced attorney will help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Follow Your Doctor’s Advice: Any failure to comply with your treatment plan could be used as evidence to downplay your injuries and call your credibility into question.
• Preserve Records: Save all medical bills related to the accident, including receipts for physician co-pays and bills for hospital stays, physical therapy and rehab, prescription drugs, and medical equipment.
• Avoid Discussing Crash: Sharing details about the accident with anyone other than your spouse or attorney could provide the trucking company and its insurer with ammunition to undermine your claim. Assume they’re monitoring your social accounts, and avoid sharing any information about the crash or your injuries online.

Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consultation.

If you were hurt or lost someone in a crash involving a tractor-trailer, semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other big rig, call 1-888-603-3636 or click here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Us” form.

Our Undefeated 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers have consistently recovered the Largest Truck Accident Verdicts and Settlements in History for accident victims and are ready to answer your questions, explain your rights, and provide all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.

Consultations are always free, and you won’t owe us a penny unless we win your case.