Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
Icy roads and winter conditions can compromise the traction of any vehicle, but they pose an even greater threat when it comes to semi-trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—20 times more than the average car — and require twice the distance as a car to stop.
When truck drivers fail to adapt to icy conditions or lack the training to navigate winter hazards safely, the consequences can be devastating.
Read on to learn how icy roads, reduced visibility, and other winter weather dangers heighten the risk of semi-truck accidents—and how our undefeated Texas truck accident attorneys can help you seek justice and secure your future.
Most Dangerous Texas Regions for Ice-Related Truck Accidents
Nearly all Texas regions are vulnerable to icy conditions, especially when winter storms sweep across the state. Just this week, for instance, Texas Department of Transportation crews treated roadways with more than 1.3 million gallons of brine across 92% of the state in preparation for hazardous winter weather.
But precautions can only go so far. Even when “salted” or pre-treated, icy roads can easily lead to deadly accidents, particularly in areas with high levels of freight traffic and large truck congestion. The combination of unpredictable weather and heavy commercial vehicle presence makes certain regions particularly dangerous during ice storms.
Texas Regions with the Highest Risk of Ice-Related Truck Accidents
- Dallas Fort Worth: During the 2021 arctic blast, six people were tragically killed and 36 more seriously injured during a fatal pileup that occurred after a Fedex 18-wheeler hit ice and lost control on Interstate 35. The deadly chain-reaction crash involved more than 130 commercial and passenger vehicles.
- Midland-Odessa: During the same 2021 arctic blast, Midland-Odessa saw more than 70 accidents, including 25 that resulted in injuries and five more in rollovers, over the course of two hours, including busy truck routes such as Highway 191, Loop 250 and Business 20.
- Houston: Houston saw nearly 800 crashes in less than 24 hours during a 2023 ice storm, during which an 18-wheeler carrying hazardous compress gas hit ice and rolled over on State Highway 249 and another semi overturned on I-10.
- Austin: During the same 2023 ice storm, Travis County recorded the most traffic accidents it’s ever seen in a single day, 460, including many along the highly-congested Interstate 35.
Although these areas often see a higher concentration of ice-related truck accidents, the reality is that these crashes can happen any time, any place when temperatures drop. And unfortunately, it’s not always the ice to blame, as trucking companies often pressure drivers to do whatever it takes to meet deadlines and prioritize profits over safety.
How Winter Weather Increases the Risk of Truck Accidents
Winter weather introduces a host of challenges that significantly increase the likelihood of truck accidents. The following roadway hazards can turn routine drives into dangerous journeys in the blink of an eye:
- Bridges & overpasses, which ice over faster than regular road surfaces. Because 18-wheelers require more time and distance to stop, hitting a patch of ice on a bridge can result in a catastrophic loss of control.
- Reduced visibility due to fog, sleet, and blowing snow, which limit visibility for all drivers and more so for truck drivers, who already have larger blind spots and need more room to stop.
- Black ice, an invisible hazard that can cause even experienced truck drivers to lose traction unexpectedly. Combined with the weight and size of semi-trucks, this can lead to devastating jackknife accidents or rollovers.
- Work zones, including areas where the Texas Department of Transportation is treating icy roads, can often take drivers by surprise, especially in the age of distracted driving. These areas can be particularly dangerous for semi-trucks, which may need to swerve or brake suddenly to avoid workers or an accident.
While these winter hazards are dangerous on their own, they’re rarely the sole cause of ice-related truck accidents.
Common Causes of Ice-Related Truck Accidents
Ultimately, it’s not just the ice, but the negligent behavior on the part of just a few that often leads to these tragic accidents. In our experience, most crashes stem from the careless actions by truck drivers or trucking companies, including:
Rushing to Meet Deadlines in Hazardous Conditions
Trucking companies often impose tight delivery schedules that prioritize speed over safety, even in dangerous winter conditions. This pressure can lead drivers to take unnecessary risks, such as driving faster than is safe for icy roads or skipping crucial rest breaks. Unfortunately, the added urgency makes it even harder for drivers to navigate unpredictable winter hazards like black ice or sudden snow squalls, significantly increasing the likelihood of a serious accident.
Lack of Proper Training or Experience
Driving a fully loaded semi-truck on slick, icy roads requires a high level of skill and experience, yet more drivers than ever lack adequate training in handling these conditions thanks to an ongoing truck driver shortage. Without knowledge of techniques like controlled braking or maintaining safe following distances, these drivers are far more likely to lose control, jackknife, or rollover during a sudden skid or swerve. Companies that fail to properly train their drivers bear significant responsibility when such preventable accidents occur.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is always dangerous, but the stakes are even higher during winter weather. Glancing at a phone, adjusting a GPS, or even eating while driving can lead to delayed reactions in conditions where every second counts. For semi-trucks, which require more time and distance to stop, even a split-second distraction can result in catastrophic collisions, particularly on icy or snow-covered roads.
Speeding
Driving too fast for winter conditions is one of the most common causes of ice-related truck accidents. Semi-trucks already require significantly more distance to stop than passenger vehicles, and speeding on icy roads reduces that margin even further. Whether it’s ignoring posted speed limits or failing to adjust to weather conditions, excessive speed combined with low traction often results in devastating crashes, such as jackknifes or multi-vehicle pileups.
Fatigue
Exhaustion impairs a truck driver’s ability to react quickly and make sound decisions—factors that are critical in navigating icy roads. Federal regulations mandate rest breaks, but drivers often push their limits to meet tight deadlines or maximize earnings. Fatigue can lead to slower reflexes, lapses in judgment, or even falling asleep behind the wheel, all of which become even more dangerous in the face of winter hazards like black ice or poor visibility.
Why Hire a Lawyer After an Ice-Related Truck Accident?
If you’ve been injured by an 18-wheeler in winter conditions, you need a legal team that can hold trucking companies accountable. These companies will often do everything in their power to minimize your recovery or deny responsibility altogether, making it crucial to have experienced lawyers on your side.
At Zehl & Associates, we don’t just talk about holding trucking companies accountable—we’ve done it time and again. Whether a trucking company has rushed its drivers to meet unreasonable deadlines, failed to properly train them, or pushed them to drive while fatigued, we have a proven track record of holding these companies responsible for their reckless actions.
Unlike other law firms, we limit our caseload to ensure we can devote our full resources and attention to every case. This approach has allowed us to stand up against the largest trucking companies in the world and secure the largest record-breaking truck accident verdicts and settlements in history, making us one of the most successful and trusted firms in Texas and across the nation.
How Zehl & Associates Can Help After a Truck Accident in Texas
In high-stakes ice-related truck accident cases, the trucking company and its insurers will fight to shift the blame onto you or on external factors such as the weather conditions. That’s where we come in. Our undefeated truck accident attorneys specialize in taking on the biggest companies and securing the maximum compensation possible for all of your injuries and losses.
From the moment you contact us, our team is committed to protecting your rights and supporting you every step of the way. Here’s how we go above and beyond for our clients:
- Connect You with Top Doctors and Specialists: Ensuring you receive the best possible care for your injuries.
- Cover Medical Bills and Living Expenses: Providing financial relief while your case is pending, so you can focus on healing.
- Offer 24/7 Support: Taking the burden off your shoulders by handling the legal and financial details, so you and your family can focus on recovery.
- Develop a Secure Financial Plan: Helping you safeguard your future after your case is resolved.
- Ensure We Recover Maximum Compensation: We will never settle for less than what fully compensates you for all your injuries and losses.
- Prepare Every Case for Trial: If the defendant refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take your case to trial, where we remain undefeated.
You deserve a legal team that fights relentlessly for your rights and works tirelessly to secure your future. With your well-being on the line, there’s no substitute for top-rated representation—research shows that an experienced accident lawyer can significantly increase the compensation you receive.
Don’t let the trucking company dictate your future. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 1-888-603-3636.
Staying Safe During Winter Weather Road Conditions
While traveling on icy roads is never recommended, sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you must drive, following these safety guidelines can help reduce your risk of an accident. Start by familiarizing yourself with winter driving tips. Make sure to check for dangerous conditions through TxDOT’s Drive Texas map before you head out, and consider bringing an emergency winter kit with you in case you get stuck.
Always exercise caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses, and shaded areas, which freeze faster than regular roadways. Take turns slowly to avoid skidding, and be sure to give 18-wheelers, large trucks, and commercial vehicles plenty of space, as they require longer stopping distances in winter conditions.
By staying prepared and adjusting your driving habits, you can help protect yourself and others during dangerous winter weather.
Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consultation
With Billions won and decades of experience, our undefeated 18-wheeler and truck accident lawyers have the resources and dedication to take on the largest trucking companies in the world and not only win, but set records. Our historic victories include #1 Largest Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Settlements in Texas. We stop at nothing to stand up, fight, and win for our clients and their families.
If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, call 1-888-603-3636 for a free consultation, 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.