High Risk Truck Accident Areas in Texas
Trucking accidents can take a devastating toll on their victims, and they’re becoming more common on Texas roads. The Lone Star State has the largest commercial driving industry of any American state, with over 200,000 drivers. Commercial driving helps the economy thrive, but it also creates high risk truck accident hotspots for travelers.
Every day, ten people die on Texas roads. In 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that Texas had 657 fatal large vehicle crashes, the highest number in the nation.
At over 10,000 pounds, large vehicles can cause extreme damage to passenger cars they collide with, sometimes crushing them or dragging them hundreds of feet. This is especially true when they’re pushing the speed limit, which can go up to 85 mph. As long-haul drivers cover the state’s 80,000 miles of roadway, some get drowsy and cause high-speed collisions. FedEx Truck Drivers, UPS Truck Drivers and large vehicle drivers must also battle the frustration of dealing with construction and heavy traffic as they pass through major cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. As they enter remote areas further west, large vehicle drivers have to navigate uneven road surfaces and changing weather conditions. Inexperienced, careless, and inebriated drivers can further add to the risk and create dangerous accident areas on the state’s roads and highways.
If you’re involved in a trucking accident, you need to contact a skilled truck collision attorney to help you protect your rights. An experienced truck crash lawyer can get you the compensation you need to recover fully.
Which Texas Roads are the Most Dangerous for Trucks?
Large vehicle accidents can be serious and life-changing, so drivers must show extra caution when they are in a high-risk accident area. Some of the most hazardous driving zones in Texas include:
Interstate 35 (I-35)
I-35 is a major throughway that connects Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and it’s one of the most hazardous highways for Texas large vehicle drivers. The section that runs through Austin on the way to San Antonio has narrow lanes and ongoing construction that prompt frequent lane shifts, leading to traffic congestion and slowdowns. High traffic volumes and unpredictable weather can worsen these conditions and increase the risk of accidents. For similar reasons, large vehicle accidents are also common where I-35 splits off and passes through Dallas and Fort Worth.
Interstate 45 (I-45)
According to a study from Teletrac-Navman, the stretch of I-45 between Houston and Dallas is one of the deadliest roadways in America, generating nearly one death per mile between 2016 and 2019. Heavy large vehicle traffic, urban congestion, and frequent severe weather make the drive near the Port of Houston particularly dangerous, while aggressive driving and flooding tend to cause accidents in Houston’s greater metropolitan area. Corsicana is another deadly accident zone. I-45’s nearness to the Gulf Coast can make it susceptible to intense storms, which can make roads slick and decrease visibility.
Interstate 30 (I-30)
The section of I-30, an east-west highway that begins in Fort Worth and passes through Dallas on the way to Texarkana, is especially dangerous in congested sections near complex interchanges. The area where I-30 and I-35 intersect is one of the most perilous sections of roadway Dallas. Sometimes, large vehicle drivers have to change lanes quickly, which can easily cause accidents. They also face challenges from road construction and sleep deprivation.
Interstate 10 (I-10)
I-10 runs east-west through Texas from the edge of Louisiana to El Paso. Truckers often have accidents near Houston as they deal with congestion, construction, and Gulf Coast storm activity that puts I-10 in the list of top ten US highways for weather-related accidents. The stretch near Beaumont is another accident zone. In rural areas between San Antonio and El Paso, uneven terrain, animal crossings, wind, and dust storms contribute to wrecks. Drivers also tend to fly through these sections at high speeds, even when tired, so that an average of 4.3 fatal collisions per mile occurred between 2018 and 2020.
Loop 410
Loop 410 takes large vehicles around San Antonio, where they often get involved in crashes. Urban congestion, complex interchanges, and abrupt lane changes make driving this road risky. Areas near intersections, like the ones that cross I-10 and I-35, have the most accidents. High traffic volumes and merging passenger vehicles can make driving a large vehicle on Loop 410 difficult and dangerous. The industrial areas that feed into Loop 410 also generate a high density of commercial traffic, which can make large vehicle accidents more likely.
Interstate 20 (I-20)
I-20 is an east-west highway that routes long-haul trucks through Dallas-Fort Worth and Midland. It’s frequently under construction and sometimes experiences tornadoes and heavy rain that make driving conditions hazardous. The road’s sharp curves and narrow lanes also pose a challenge to large vehicle drivers and make accidents likely enough that they call it the “Death Trap Corridor.”
U.S. Highway 59 (US-59) (Future I-69)
U.S. Highway 59 (US-59), which will become Interstate 69 (I-69), is a major large vehicle corridor that’s at a high risk for experiencing accidents. This highway runs from the Mexican border in Laredo, eventually passing through the greater Houston metro area to Texarkana, and sees thousands of commercial trucks on their way near the Port of Houston. Heavy large vehicle traffic combined with a 75 MPH speed limit, crowded lanes, and complex interchanges has led to the frequent occurrence of large vehicle accidents in the Houston area. Rural stretches of US-59 can also be dangerous due to limited visibility and distance away from emergency services.
US-285
US-285 runs north-south through Texas and the Permian Basin. It’s a prime route for large vehicles that carry oil and gas supplies, and its nickname “Death Highway” stems from its dangerous driving conditions. US-285 was not designed for high-volume commercial large vehicle traffic, and its two-lane configuration, narrow lanes, and 75 mph speed limit have led to head-on collisions and a high accident rate.
What Causes Large Vehicle Accidents in Texas?
While there are a number of factors that can cause accidents on the road, a few stand out. Here are the leading culprits for the high number of large vehicle accidents in Texas:
Speeding
Speeding is a leading cause of large vehicle crashes in Texas, especially in remote areas. Many large vehicle drivers downplay the dangers of speeding when they’re on an open road that’s seemingly empty. Unfortunately, big, heavy vehicles can be hard to control at high speeds, and drivers may not be able to react quickly enough to prevent a collision.
Distracted Driving
Large vehicle drivers who text, look at their GPS, fiddle with their radios, or eat while they’re driving can get distracted and make driving errors that lead to accidents.
Driving Under the Influence
Operating any vehicle, including a commercial large vehicle, under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is illegal and dangerous. Still, some drivers take the risk and wind up in accidents.
Driver Fatigue
Tired large vehicle drivers have slower reaction times and impaired concentration. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has mandated limits on drive time between breaks, there are large vehicle drivers who ignore the rules. When longer hours cause fatigue, the driver may fall asleep. Even if they wake up after a few seconds, this event can lead to an accident.
Undertrained and Inexperienced Drivers
Texas has a booming economy, and demand for large vehicle drivers is so high that companies sometimes put inexperienced drivers on the road. New drivers who are inadequately trained may be more likely to crash.
Improper Loading
Driving a large vehicle with a too heavy or imbalanced load can lead to a fatal crash.
How Can Drivers Avoid Large Vehicle Crashes in Texas?
When citizen drivers with class-D licenses learn how hazardous Texas roads can be, they may wonder how to stay safe. By learning defensive driving strategies and educating themselves about high-risk routes, drivers can reduce the chance of truck collisions.
If you do find yourself in a large vehicle accident, remember to contact a truck wreck lawyer immediately. A competent truck crash attorney can give you the advice you need to move forward without fear. To decrease your chances of crashing into a large vehicle, here are some tips that can help boost your confidence when you’re on a dangerous road in Texas:
Stay Alert
Drive only when you’re well rested and follow the rules of the road. Be aware of your surroundings, check your mirrors, stay focused, and watch out for hazards.
Avoid Distractions
When you’re driving in a dangerous area, avoid distractions. Keep your hands free and off your phone. In high-risk areas, keep your full focus on driving and watch out for large vehicles. If you need to communicate, use a voice-activated system and keep your conversation short.
Keep Your Distance
Always maintain a safe distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you, especially if it’s a large vehicle. Since large vehicles take more time to stop than smaller passenger vehicles, you need time to brake if they stop in front of you.
Mind the Weather
If you’re driving near a large vehicle when the weather is bad, slow down and give it space. If you’re driving in fog or it starts to rain, slow down and turn on your headlights. If your visibility is severely compromised, pull over until conditions improve. High winds, hail, heavy rain, snow, and dust can be hazardous, and wet and icy pavement can make it harder to stop.
Use Caution in Heavy Traffic
When you’re driving in the city, be patient as you navigate heavy traffic. Drive defensively and look out for aggressive drivers. Prepare for abrupt traffic slowdowns, sudden stops, and unexpected lane changes. Don’t pass large vehicles when lanes are crowded, and avoid changing lanes suddenly. Don’t cut in front of large vehicles; if they can’t stop safely, you could wind up in a rear-end crash.
Reduce Your Speed in Construction Areas
If you’re driving through a construction zone, slow down and use extra caution. Reduce your speed and keep your distance from large vehicles to avoid a collision.
Look Out for Road Signs
When you’re driving in a high-risk area, look out for road signs that give warnings about large vehicles. Road signs may also alert you to the presence of construction areas, sharp curves ahead, or steep grades that could be hazardous. To prevent a mishap, adapt and drive carefully when you see a cautionary sign.
Avoid Blind Spots
If you’re driving in a danger zone, always stay visible and keep away from a large vehicle’s blind spots. These “no zones” are located on the sides and directly behind the large vehicle. Remember that if you can’t see a large vehicle’s mirrors, the large vehicle driver probably can’t see you.
Take Care on the Open Road
When you’re driving in rural areas, use caution. Leaping deer crossings and sharp, unexpected turns can be hazardous. Stay focused and watch out for large vehicles that move erratically or too fast—the driver at the wheel may be fatigued. Be sure you have enough gas and supplies, and take regular rest breaks.
Drive in the Daytime
If possible, limit driving to daylight hours. Nighttime visibility can be poor, and large vehicle drivers may be less focused and more fatigued, which could make an accident more likely.
Wear Your Seat Belt
It may seem obvious, but be sure everyone in your car wears a seatbelt. This increases your chance of survival if you collide with a large vehicle.
Maintain Your Vehicle
Well-maintained vehicles are less likely to run into problems on the road or spin out of control. They are also safer and easier to maneuver. To ensure your vehicle is in safe driving condition, take it to a dealer for a tune-up and check your tire pressure.
If You’re in a Truck Accident, Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
Vehicle collisions are terrible events. If you’re involved in a crash, you should always seek the advice of a truck accident attorney. A truck collision lawyer can help you protect your rights and get the compensation you need to heal from your injuries and normalize your life.