Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
You may assume Texas interstates are the most dangerous roads in the state, but in reality, more fatal motor vehicle accidents occur on two-lane highways and roads, including 41% of all fatal TX truck accidents, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) crash data.
Here’s why two-lane highways remain the most perilous roadways in Texas and how you can protect yourself from a large truck or 18-wheeler accident.
Texas Two-Lane Highway Truck Accident Statistics
Two-lane highways — including many U.S. and state highways, farm to markets, and country roads — have been the deadliest roadways in Texas year after year since at least 2017, according to the FMCSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
In 2022, the most recent year with comprehensive data from FARS, Texas saw 808 fatalities from truck accidents. Of these:
- 155 occurred on major two-lane highways and arteries
- 77 occurred on smaller, minor two-lane highways and arteries
- 123 occurred on two-lane collectors and distributors — busy local streets that typically connect to freeways and frontage roads
Even on Texas interstates, stretches that are two-lane saw more truck crash fatalities (103 total) than those with three, four, or more lanes combined (98 total).
For each of these fatal crashes, at least 20,000 more truck accidents led to over 12,000 additional injuries, with two-lane highways and roads likely accounting for at least 8,200 of these wrecks.
Why Two-Lane Roads Are So Dangerous in TX
Many two-lane highways in Texas were never designed to handle the volume of large commercial trucks that travel them today. These roads, often lacking guardrails, medians, and wide shoulders and typically in rural areas, are ill-equipped for the thousands of semis, flatbeds, and other big rigs supporting the state’s booming oil and gas industry and the nation’s supply chain every day.
Dangerous roadway conditions on two-lane highways in Texas include:
- Lack of dividers and barriers between opposing lanes of traffic, increasing the risk of head-on collisions, especially with large trucks.
- Narrow lanes and shoulders that leave less room for error and make it harder for drivers to maneuver or pull over safely.
- Sharp turns and blind spots, and limited visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic or obstacles in time to react.
- Frequent access points, such as driveways and side roads, that increase the likelihood of vehicles entering or exiting the road unexpectedly and causing accidents.
- Inadequate lighting and signage that makes it difficult for drivers to navigate safely, especially at night or in poor weather conditions.
- High speed limits that lead to higher impact speeds in the event of a crash.
- Heavy truck traffic that contributes to traffic jams and faster wear on roads not built to handle them.
- Limited law enforcement presence that leads to higher incidences of speeding, reckless driving, and other dangerous behaviors.
However, the biggest danger on two-lane roads and highways comes from the trucking industry itself, who not only prioritize profits over safety, but whose answer to an ongoing shortage of truck drivers is to put even more of those who lack the skills or ability to handle dangerous roadway conditions and situations behind the wheel.
Unfortunately, the consequences are stark: 60% of all fatal head-on truck collisions in Texas and 51% of all fatal rear-endings now occur on two-lane highways and roads.
Common Causes of Two-Lane Highway Truck Accidents
When an accident occurs, it’s easy for a trucking company and its team of lawyers to easily point the blame at adverse weather conditions, poor roadway infrastructure, or even the innocent victims behind the wheel of the passenger vehicle.
However, data shows that weather rarely plays a significant role in the deadliest truck accidents in Texas. Instead, it’s often the reckless actions of truck drivers and the negligence of trucking companies that lead to tragic, preventable accidents.
Unqualified or Inexperienced Drivers: A historic shortage of experienced truck drivers has led to an influx of novice operators. In turn, many fatal truck accidents involve drivers without a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL). In recent data, 184 drivers lacked the necessary CDL, while others had suspended, revoked, expired, or disqualified licenses at the time of the accident.
Fatigue: Especially common in oil producing regions, exhausted drivers are often pressured to rush and ignore federal safety regulations that limit the hours they are allowed to work. A fatigued driver is just as impaired as a drunk driver with a Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) of .10.
Impaired Driving: The constant demand to deliver goods on time can push some drivers to use substances to stay awake or “self medicate” to deal with the pressure. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment and reaction times, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Distracted driving: Any activity that causes a driver to take their attention away from the road (texting, talking on the phone,eating, reading a billboard) can lead to an accident.
Speeding: The majority of accidents on two-lane roads happen at speeds over 60 miles per hour. Higher speeds lead to more severe crashes due to the greater force of impact. A speeding truck is also more likely to experience dangerous cargo shifts or have difficulty maneuvering on sharp turns.
Aggression: Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, unsafe lane changing, and improper passing, causes up to 40% of all truck accidents in the nation, and is especially dangerous on two-lane roads where there is very limited space to avoid a truck driver’s reckless actions.
Any of these behaviors can result in a truck accident, which are far more likely to cause severe injuries or fatalities due to the high speed and the combined force of the vehicles.
Texas Regions Where Two-Lane Roads Are Deadliest
Oil and gas-producing regions in Texas have far more dangerous two-lane highways. West Texas, in particular, is notorious for its hazardous rural roads, and truck accidents here are twice as likely to prove deadly than elsewhere in the state.
The Permian Basin, which accounts for half of the nation’s oil production, is home to three of the 10 counties with the highest rates of fatal truck and 18-wheeler crashes in the nation:
- Midland County
- Reeves County
- Howard County
The region, which includes Midland-Odessa, Big Spring, and other cities where strained roads like Death Highway cannot withstand the oilfield traffic and population growth, saw over 26,000 crashes in 2022, claiming 394 lives and injuring 889 more.
Other areas in Texas where two-lane highways see more truck accidents include Barnett Shale, Eagle Ford Shale, Anadarko Basin and Haynesville/Bossier Shale.
How to Drive Safer on Two-Lane Highways in TX
It’s not always possible to avoid a collision with a large truck, but following these safety tips will reduce your risk and make the roads safer for everyone.
Stay Alert: Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Watch for oncoming traffic and potential hazards.
Maintain Safe Speeds: Adhere to posted speed limits, and drive at a safe speed appropriate for traffic, road conditions, and weather.
Keep a Safe Distance: Give large trucks plenty of space, be patient, and pass only when it’s safe and legal to do so.
Use Caution When Passing: Only pass other vehicles when it’s safe and legal to do so, ensuring you have enough clear road ahead.
Avoid Distractions: Put the phone away and stay focused on the road.
Prepare for Emergencies: Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle and ensure your vehicle is well-maintained to avoid breakdowns.
Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Attorneys: Call 1-888-603-3636 For a Free Consult
With Billions won and decades of experience, our Undefeated Truck Accident Attorneys have recovered the largest record-breaking verdicts and settlements in history on behalf of truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across Texas and throughout the United States.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a large truck or 18-wheeler crash, please call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
Our top priority is providing you with all of the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.
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