Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
Head-on truck collisions occur when an 18-wheeler veers into the opposite lane of traffic and crashes into another vehicle. And though you may think otherwise, these terrifying and often entirely preventable truck accidents are increasingly common in Texas. In fact, more head-ons happen in the Lone Star state than anywhere else in the nation.
Here’s what to know about the rise in these deadly truck accidents and how our undefeated Texas truck accident attorneys can help if you or a loved one were injured by an 18-wheeler or other commercial motor vehicle.
127 Head-on Truck Accident Fatalities in Texas Last Year
In 2023, there were 635 people killed in head-on crashes in Texas with a significant number involving large trucks. According National Highway Transportation Safety Administration data:
- 101 fatal head-on truck collisions occurred in the Lone Star State
- 127 lives were lost in head-on truck collisions
Texas has the highest rate of head-on truck accident fatalities in the nation, far surpassing the fatalities in California, the state with the second-highest rate with 73 deaths. And despite ongoing federal efforts to decrease truck accident fatalities, the trend in Texas shows no signs of improvement. At present, a person dies from a head-on truck collision here every 2 to 3 days.
Just recently, in May 2024, a family of five was tragically killed when a FedEx truck veered into oncoming traffic and struck their SUV head-on in Eagle Pass, TX.
Common Causes of a Head-On Truck Wreck
A fully-loaded 18-wheeler weighs nearly 10 times that of an average car. For this reason, any type of truck accident can cause significant property damage and catastrophic injuries due to the sheer force involved.
However, a head-on is one of the most dangerous of all commercial motor vehicle collisions, leaving those in oncoming traffic with little time to react and tragically bearing the full brunt of the impact.
Common causes of head-on collisions often include:
Fatigue. Fatigue can easily cause a driver to drift into another lane. Though all truck drivers must adhere to the federal Hours of Service regulations, when they work longer hours than allowed without adequate rest or mandatory breaks, the result is often dangerous levels of fatigue leading to impaired driving performance and far deadlier accidents.
Distracted Driving. Use of mobile phones, GPS devices, or eating while driving can significantly impair a driver. When a trucker’s eyes are off the road, even a few seconds of inattention can result in the truck veering into the opposite lane.
Unqualified drivers. Proper training is crucial for handling large trucks, especially on busy highways. However, as the industry faces the largest hiring shortage in history, more inexperienced drivers who lack comprehensive training are getting behind the wheel than ever before. And these drivers are far more likely to make critical errors in judgment or vehicle operation.
Speeding. Trucks traveling at high speeds are harder to stop or maneuver safely. And driving too fast for road conditions, particularly in bad weather, and failing to slow down for construction zones, curves, or stopped traffic increases the likelihood a driver will lose control — or have to veer into oncoming traffic.
Reckless driving. Because trucks require longer distances to stop, drivers who drive aggressively, such as tailgating, are especially dangerous. Unsafe behaviors such as rapid lane changes or running red lights can very well lead to catastrophic collisions.
Mechanical failures. Poorly maintained or defective brakes can prevent a truck from stopping in time to avoid a collision, especially if the truck veers into the wrong lane. Additionally, worn-out or improperly inflated tires can lead to blowouts, causing the driver to lose control of the truck and potentially cross into oncoming traffic.
Unfortunately, it’s been our experience that the majority of head-ons could have easily been prevented had the truck driver and trucking company simply prioritized safety over profit. When that’s the case, they deserve to be held fully accountable for their reckless and careless actions causing you harm.
Common Head-on Truck Accident Injuries
Due to the severity of these collisions, injuries are often catastrophic and life-changing. Victims and their families are frequently left to cope with severe physical and emotional trauma, which can have long-lasting impacts on their quality of life.
Common injuries may include:
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury or other head trauma
- Severe or fatal burns
- Internal Bleeding
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma
Because many of these injuries can have “hidden” symptoms that might not be immediately apparent, it’s crucial that victims receive medical attention right away. Internal injuries, brain trauma, and even severe psychological effects might not be visible but can cause significant complications if left untreated.
What to Do If You Were Hit By an 18-Wheeler or Large Truck
From the moment of impact, a trucking company and its insurers will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and losses. From hiding evidence to blaming you or a loved one, there’s nothing they won’t do.
It’s crucial that you take immediate action after an accident to protect your legal rights and secure your financial recovery and well-being.
Follow these steps to safeguard your future.
- Call 911 and give the police your statement. A crash report can serve as valuable evidence in your case.
- Get examined at the ER even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Shock can often mask symptoms and undiagnosed injuries can lead to long term problems.
- Gather as much evidence as possible at the scene. Note the names and contact information of any witnesses and take pictures or video if you are able.
- NEVER speculate about fault with police, your own insurers, or anyone else.
- NEVER talk to the trucking company or its insurers, who will call you after the accident hoping to “make things right” (they won’t). NEVER SIGN anything they send you.
- Contact the best legal representation you can find. Our undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers protect your rights before the trucking company starts getting rid of the evidence you need to prove they are at fault.
How Zehl & Associates Can Help After a Texas Truck Accident
After a truck or 18-wheeler accident, your financial security not only depends upon your immediate actions, but on your legal team’s success.
Truck accident cases are the most complex of all motor vehicle cases. You not only need a team with the resources to take on the largest trucking companies in the world, but the experience and knowledge to quickly level the playing field. At Zehl & Associates, we not only have a history of winning — we set records.
Along with recovering the maximum compensation possible for our clients and families, our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers are committed to:
- Making sure you receive the best medical treatment possible and have access to the top specialists in the nation for your injuries
- Ensuring your medical bills and reasonable living expenses are paid while your case is pending and offering our support around the clock, whenever your family needs it
- Assembling the best and brightest team of attorneys, engineers, and safety experts to quickly gather all vital evidence, independently investigate the accident, and determine what happened and how it could — and should — have been prevented.
- NEVER accepting an inadequate settlement offer. We do whatever it takes to recover the maximum compensation for you and your family. And we are always prepared to take your case to trial, if necessary.
Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Attorneys: Call 1-888-603-3636 For a Free Consult
With Billions won, our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers are known for securing some of the largest verdicts and settlements in history for truck and 18-wheeler accident victims in Texas and across the U.S. Our recent victories including a record-setting $23.5 Million won for the family of a woman tragically killed in a head-on truck accident in Brazoria County, TX.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a head-on trucking accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or click here to send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
We’ll answer all your questions, explain your rights and options, and provide you with all the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.