Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers
A woman was tragically killed and three others injured Monday night when an 18-wheeler caused a fiery multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 East near downtown Houston.
18-Wheeler Triggers Deadly Pileup
The May 26th accident occurred just after 9:30 p.m. as a passenger vehicle broke down in an outbound lane in the 4100 block of I-10 (East Freeway) and the driver attempted to move onto the shoulder near the Waco Street exit. According to the Houston Police Department, an SUV stopped behind the car, but an 18-wheeler struck the SUV from behind.
Moments later, an 18-wheeler slammed into the back of the SUV, triggering a chain-reaction collision that involved multiple vehicles.
SUV Driver Dies in Fire
The impact was so severe that the stalled vehicle swung around and struck the front of the 18-wheeler, while another car crashed into the vehicles involved, causing the SUV to catch fire.
The fire quickly engulfed the SUV, killing the woman inside. The drivers of the two other passenger vehicles and the truck were all taken to local hospitals with injuries.the SUV caught fire upon impact, tragically killing the woman inside. The drivers of the two other passenger vehicles and 18-wheeler involved were all transported to local hospitals with injuries.
I-10 eastbound was shut down in both directions for several hours following the crash, with all lanes reopening by 4:30 a.m.
So far, it’s unknown why the truck driver lost control of the 18-wheeler. However, an investigation is now underway.
Why 18-Wheelers Often Cause Chain-Reaction Crashes
Because of their size, weight, and stopping distance, 18-wheelers are far more likely than passenger vehicles to trigger dangerous and deadly chain-reaction crashes. However, the majority of these collisions are entirely preventable.
In many of these collisions, one mistake by a truck driver can lead to multiple vehicles being hit in rapid succession, often with devastating consequences.
Some of the most common causes include:
Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often face relentless delivery schedules that encourage or even pressure them to drive for longer than legally allowed. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel—all of which can lead to catastrophic collisions.
Distracted driving: Texting, using dispatch systems, or checking GPS while driving a fully loaded 80,000-pound truck can have deadly consequences. These distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road, reducing reaction time and increasing the risk of collisions, especially in fast-moving or congested traffic.
Unqualified or inexperienced drivers: Drivers without proper training or commercial driving experience may not know how to safely handle an 18-wheeler, especially in high-traffic or emergency situations.
Speeding: Driving too fast for road or traffic conditions drastically increases a truck’s stopping distance and the likelihood of losing control, especially during sudden slowdowns.
While driver error plays a role in many of these crashes, the root cause is often the trucking company and its need to prioritize delivery deadlines and profit margins over safety. These companies routinely hire unqualified drivers, ignore hours-of-service regulations, and skip critical vehicle maintenance to cut costs.
When trucking company negligence causes you or a loved one harm, you have the right to hold them fully accountable — and you deserve the best legal team you can find to help secure justice and your future.
Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
We are monitoring the deadly crash along the East Freeway in downtown Houston and will provide updates as they become available.
With Billions won and decades of experience, our undefeated Houston 18-wheeler Accident Lawyers have repeatedly recovered some of the largest record-setting verdicts and settlements in history for thousands of accident victims and families across Texas, Louisiana, and throughout the United States.
If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in an 18-wheeler crash, please call 1-8888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email via our Contact Us form.
Your consultation is free, and because we only work for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.