trucking industry is crucial to the health of the Texas economy. As a border state to Mexico, 85% of all trade between the U.S. and Mexico is done via large commercial trucks that travel through Texas. Semi-trucks log 12% of the total road miles driven in the state annually, and 1 in 16 Texans is employed by the trucking industry. Unfortunately, more trucks on the road also mean more opportunities for accidents. 18-wheeler accidents on I-35 are commonplace, with people losing their lives on this dangerous stretch of highway each year.
Interstate 35 stretches 588 miles from the Oklahoma border in North Texas to Laredo, one of the oldest border towns to the south. It is a main trucking corridor and passes through several large urban centers, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. I-35 has gained a reputation as one of the most dangerous roads in Texas. In 2018 alone, 20,401 traffic accidents were reported on I-35, and 153 motorists died.
Interstate-35 in the News
Several recent truck accidents along I-35 have made headlines due to the number of vehicles involved, lives lost, and risk to other drivers:
- Four people were killed and three more critically injured after an 18-wheeler collided with vehicles pulled over on the left shoulder of the freeway in Fort Worth. One of the passenger vehicles was partially blocking the left lane when it was struck. A second 18-wheeler collided with the first truck, involving five vehicles in the accident.
- An 18-wheeler flipped on its side near Bruceville-Eddy, leaking diesel fuel onto the interstate and requiring hazmat crews to intervene before the highway could be reopened to traffic.
- One person died after multiple vehicles were involved in a wreck on I-35 near Buda. Four vehicles, including a semi-truck, collided after one of the vehicles was traveling in the wrong direction down I-35.
Statistics
According to the National Safety Council, Texas had the highest number of deaths resulting from large truck crashes in 2021 at 806 fatalities, with accidents on I-35 contributing significantly to that figure. Here are some other statistics to consider:
- Texas’ large truck accident fatality rate in 2021 was nearly 50 percent higher than California’s, which was second on the list with 437 deaths.
- Texas has more interstate mileage than any other state at over 3,200 miles.
- More than 50% of the fatalities in wrecks involving an 18-wheeler were drivers in passenger vehicles.
- Semi-trailer, or 18-wheeler trucks, account for 53% of all fatal collisions involving large commercial trucks.
Why is I-35 dangerous for 18-wheelers?
In addition to crisscrossing several major shipping hubs, I-35 has other characteristics that make it susceptible to accidents leading to catastrophic injuries or death:
- Heavy traffic conditions. I-35 passes through many areas that are densely populated. Almost half of the state’s entire population lives near the I-35 corridor. Increased traffic, road construction, and pedestrians all contribute to I-35’s deadly reputation. Work zones in particular require motorists to adjust to different traffic flow patterns, lane changes, and sudden stops. There were19 fatalities and 59 serious injuries in construction accidents along I-35 in 2018.
- Distracted drivers. Distractions such as talking on cell phones, eating, or fiddling with the radio are major contributors to traffic accidents. Truck drivers may be particularly vulnerable to distractions since they spend many hours behind the wheel. Drivers of passenger vehicles who aren’t tuned into what’s happening around them may fail to notice the dangers of traveling near large trucks.
- Dangerous interchanges. The number of lanes on I-35 frequently increases and decreases with very little warning to motorists, requiring sudden decision-making. Along with lane changes, drivers must navigate other vehicles entering and exiting the highway via numerous interchanges.
- Fatigue. Truck drivers work long and often monotonous hours, which can lead to drowsiness while driving. The federal government regulates the number of consecutive hours a driver can operate. However, trucking companies may not follow the rules.
- Speed. Speed is a factor in many of the most serious crashes. The speed limit on I-35 increases from 70 mph to 75 mph in some rural areas. The faster a vehicle is traveling when it’s involved in an accident, the deadlier the results tend to be.
What if I’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident on I-35?
There are several steps you can take to stay safe while sharing the road with commercial trucks. However, if you or a family member has been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you need legal representation. You may be facing overwhelming medical debt, loss of property, and an inability to work or provide for your family. An experienced personal injury lawyer at Morris & Dewett will represent your interests and negotiate with insurance companies to recover the compensation you deserve.
Most truck accident lawsuits are settled out of court, but should your case go to trial, our dedicated legal team at Morris & Dewett has the ability to represent you. We fight for a fair verdict in personal injury cases, as well as represent clients in wrongful death claims, and can assist you in securing justice for your loved one.
SOURCES:
- The Trucker https://www.thetrucker.com/truck-driving-jobs/resources/states/texas
- Texas Department of Transportation I-35 Safety Campaign https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/be-safe-drive-smart/i35-safety.html
- CBS Texas https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/fatality-crash-closes-i-35-in-both-directions/
- KCEN-TV https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/i-35s-in-bruceville-eddy-shutdown-semi-flips/500-f9f3c263-b56a-448d-92df-38552e061119
- CBS Austin https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/one-dead-after-multi-vehicle-crash-on-i-35-in-buda-fm-2001-exit-220-main-street-semi-truck-18-wheeler-police-investigation-traffic-alert-lane-closure
- National Safety Council https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/data-details/
- Institute for Safer Trucking https://www.safertrucking.org/education/#str-state-fact-sheets
- Forbes https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/truck-accident-statistics/#sources_section
- Texas Department of Transporation Setting Speed Limits https://www.txdot.gov/safety/driving-laws/speed-limits/limits.html
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding
