Undefeated Texas 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers
Deadly crashes involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks are nothing new in Texas, but it’s now apparent that this ongoing crisis is deepening at an alarming rate. As the state again records more fatal truck accidents than any other in the nation, the Texas Tribune reports that federal safety enforcement actions meant to shut down dangerous trucking companies have fallen dramatically this year.
The result: already deadly roads and highways are growing increasingly perilous for the millions of Texas motorists who rely on them daily.
Having successfully represented thousands of truck accident victims and their families in Texas and throughout the United States, our Undefeated 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers understand all too well the risks motorists face when dangerous trucking companies and unfit truckers are allowed to remain on the road. If you or a loved one were involved in a serious or fatal truck crash, we know what it takes to win against big trucking companies and their insurers. We’ll do whatever is necessary to secure the maximum compensation possible on your behalf.
The Grim Toll of Texas Truck Accidents
For years, Texas has consistently led the nation in fatal truck accidents.
According to the latest data compiled by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), that trend is continuing, with 705 fatal truck and 18-wheeler crashes reported in Texas in 2023—once again, more than any other state. Those accidents killed 235 people, including 153 passenger vehicle occupants.
As the carnage on Texas roads continued to rise, federal regulators responsible for investigating and sanctioning unsafe trucking companies have sharply reduced their enforcement actions. In fact, according to the Tribune, the number of federal interventions targeting high-risk carriers dropped by nearly 60% in 2025, including actions that historically led to shutdowns of companies with repeated safety violations.
This pullback means that trucking companies with concerning histories — whether involving maintenance issues, operator qualifications, or inspection failures — are increasingly being allowed to keep their dangerous vehicles and drivers on the road.
Why Federal Trucking Enforcement Has Slowed
Federal trucking regulators use inspection scores, safety-violation histories, crash records, and audit findings to determine whether a trucking company is operating safely. When a carrier’s record indicates imminent danger, regulators can issue out-of-service orders or suspend operations.
But according to the Texas Tribune, several factors have led to a significant slowdown in federal trucking enforcement actions.
- Fewer federal investigators are available to review cases: Staffing shortages have reduced the number of people available to conduct audits, follow up on violations, and issue enforcement actions.
- A growing backlog of safety reviews: With more carriers operating and fewer investigators available, the number of unresolved cases has continued to climb, delaying action against companies with repeated violations.
- Shifts in federal enforcement priorities: The Tribune reports that regulators are handling fewer shutdowns overall, even when carriers show long-standing safety deficiencies. As the Trump administration shifts priorities toward compliance assistance and away from aggressive intervention, fewer companies face meaningful consequences.
- Slower processing of high-risk carriers: Cases that previously moved quickly — especially those involving crash histories or serious violations — now take longer to resolve. During these delays, trucking companies are allowed to remain on the road.
More Big Rigs Than Ever: Texas Roadways Under Pressure
At the same time, Texas roads are carrying more heavy trucks today than at any point in the state’s history. What’s more, according to the Texas Tribune, the number of 18-wheelers, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers crisscrossing the state is expected to grow by more than 22% by 2030, far exceeding the volume of truck traffic Texas roads and highways were built to withstand.
A major source of this traffic comes from the Permian Basin, where oilfield operations depend heavily on trucks—and often inexperienced drivers— to move sand, water, equipment, and drilling supplies. The roadways in and around Midland and Odessa—many of them single-lane and rural— see a constant flow of tankers, dump trucks, and oversized loads on any given day. The constant presence of oilfield trucks is the key reason the region consistently posts some of the highest serious-crash rates in the state.
The situation is no better in Texas’s biggest cities. Around Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, 18-wheelers and other big rigs move goods to and from ports, rail yards, refineries, factories, and massive warehouse districts virtually around the clock. These trucks travel on interstates that are already packed with commuters, and the mix of heavy commercial traffic and growing populations leads to more congestion, more sudden slowdowns, and more opportunities for deadly collisions.
With so many more trucks and so many more cars sharing the same roads — and with enforcement falling — Texas motorists are carrying more of the risk. Even routine trips now involve navigating highways that were never designed for the traffic levels they see today.
What This Means for Everyday Texas Motorists
For the people who drive Texas roads every day, the risk is all too real. 18-wheelers and other large trucks are capable of catastrophic force, and even a minor failure — a missed brake inspection, a fatigued driver, a shifting load — can result in multi-vehicle crashes with massive consequences.
Even before enforcement slowed, Texas motorists were already facing heightened risks every time they got behind the wheel:
- A big rig generates tremendous force in a collision. The occupants of smaller vehicles are far more likely to sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries compared to a typical car crash.
- Trucks take far longer to stop. Sudden slowdowns or stop-and-go traffic create dangerous conditions.
- Blind spots are enormous. Cars in “No-Zones” are effectively invisible.
- Construction areas are high-risk. Many of the state’s most severe truck crashes occur in work zones.
- Rural highways are particularly dangerous. Speed, limited visibility, and narrow lanes increase the severity of crashes.
Staying Safe Around Large Trucks: Tips for Texas Drivers
Sharing the road with heavy commercial trucks requires more awareness and more space than driving near other passenger vehicles. To lower their odds of being caught up in a catastrophic truck or 18-wheeler crash, every Texas driver should make it a practice to:
Avoid blind spots
Large trucks have “No-Zones” where the driver can’t see you, even with mirrors and cameras. They run the length of the trailer on both sides, extend several car lengths behind the truck, and sit directly in front of the cab. If you can’t see the driver’s side mirror, the truck driver almost certainly can’t see you
Leave more space than you think you need
Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers need far more distance to slow down or come to a stop — sometimes two to three times as much as a passenger car. Following too closely reduces your reaction time and puts you at risk if traffic suddenly slows.
Never cut in front of a truck
Cutting too closely in front of a truck, especially at highway speeds, leaves the driver with no room to brake. Always wait until you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before merging.
Use extreme caution in construction zones
The narrow lanes, cones, lane shifts, and abrupt slowdowns typical of work zones increase the likelihood of a serious crash. Giving trucks a wide berth and reducing your speed can prevent chain-reaction collisions in these high-risk areas.
Pass deliberately and safely
Always pass on the left, where the truck driver has better visibility. Accelerate smoothly so you do not linger beside the trailer — the exact area where blind spots are largest. Once you are ahead of the truck, stay in your lane until there is a clear, safe distance before merging back. Never pass on the right, where visibility is more limited, and the risk of being sideswiped is far higher.
Expect wide right turns
When making a right turn, a truck must swing wide — often across adjacent lanes — before completing the turn. Drivers attempting to squeeze between a truck and the curb risk being trapped or struck by the trailer. If you see a truck preparing for a right turn, stay back and give it plenty of space.
Watch for warning signs of unsafe trucks
If a truck is drifting between lanes, traveling at inconsistent speeds, carrying an unstable load, or showing signs of mechanical issues (smoke, wobbling tires, loose straps), assume the vehicle could be dangerous. Slow down, change lanes when possible, and avoid driving directly beside or behind the truck.
Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers have won Billions for thousands of clients across Texas and throughout the United States, including record-breaking verdicts and settlements against some of the largest trucking and transportation companies in the country:
- The #1 largest truck accident verdict in Texas in 2025
- $35 million settlement in deadly I-35 Fort Worth crash
- $32 million settlement in a West Texas crash caused by an oilfield truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel.
- $20 million settlement against one of the nation’s largest trucking companies.
If you or someone you love were injured or tragically killed in a trucking-related crash, call us today at 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us page.
All consultations are free, and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.