Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers
A Florida man died tragically Saturday evening when icy roads apparently triggered a 12-vehicle pile-up along Interstate 10 in Kimball County, Texas.
In addition to the victim’s 2017 Toyota pickup truck, the fatal chain-reaction crash involved four 18-wheelers, a box truck, a Dodge van, and an Audi passenger car.
What Triggered the Deadly I-10 Chain-Reaction Crash?
The fatal accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-10 near mile marker 470.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the victim’s Toyota pickup was struck from behind by another vehicle, setting off the chain reaction. As vehicles continued to collide, a trailer detached from one of the 18-wheelers and landed on top of the Toyota pickup.
The 57-year-old man driving the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene. So far, the Texas DPS has not said whether anyone else was injured in connection with the accident.
The I-10 chain-reaction crash remains under investigation. However, officials have said it was snowing and sleeting at the time, and they have described the road conditions as icy.
How to Stay Safe Around Big Rigs in Winter Weather
When roads become covered by snow, sleet, or ice, the risks of driving near 18-wheelers and other big rigs rise substantially, especially at interstate speeds. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to reduce the potential for a crash:
- Increase your following distance far beyond normal. On icy or snow-covered roads, stopping distances can increase by as much as 500%. Leave at least 8–10 seconds of space between your vehicle and a tractor-trailer to allow time to react if traffic slows or stops suddenly.
- Avoid blind spots. Tractor-trailers have large “no-zones” directly behind the trailer and along both sides. If you can’t see the truck driver in their side mirrors, assume they can’t see you.
- Never cut off a commercial truck. Large trucks cannot brake quickly on slick pavement. Cutting in too closely forces a trucker to brake suddenly, which could lead to loss of control and jackknifing.
- Pass only on the left and pass decisively. Avoid passing on the right, where truck drivers have limited visibility. When passing, move through smoothly and avoid lingering alongside the trailer.
- Be patient when merging. Forcing a merge in front of an 18-wheeler during winter conditions is dangerous. Merging behind a truck is usually safer and gives both drivers more room to adjust.
- Expect reduced visibility from spray and blowing snow. Tractor-trailers throw large volumes of water, slush, and snow that can suddenly obscure your view and increase the risk of hydroplaning.
- Slow down earlier and brake gradually. Abrupt braking on icy pavement is a common trigger for chain-reaction crashes, especially when multiple vehicles are traveling close together.
- Use signals early and clearly. Give truck drivers extra time to see your intentions, particularly in poor visibility or low-light conditions.
- Avoid tailgating under any circumstances. If a truck loses traction or must stop suddenly, tailgating leaves no time or space to react
What to Do If You’re Hurt in an 18-Wheeler Crash This Winter
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to prevent every crash, no matter how careful you are. If you find yourself among the hundreds of people who will be seriously injured in large truck crashes this winter through no fault of your own, it’s important to take the appropriate steps in the hours, days, and weeks to safeguard your health, your legal rights, and your family’s future:
- Call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can provide medical care if anyone is hurt, while law enforcement will be able to document road conditions, vehicle positions, and other information for an official crash report. That report will serve as vital evidence if you choose to take legal action.
- Document the scene if it is safe to do so. Take photos or videos of vehicle damage, icy road conditions, skid marks, debris, detached trailers, and traffic patterns before vehicles are cleared or conditions change.
- Collect Information: Write down names, contact information, and license numbers for all vehicles involved. If there were any witnesses, get their contact information as well.
- Get medical attention. Even if you feel fine at the moment, many injuries are not immediately obvious after a crash. Heading to an ER or urgent care will protect your health and create a record linking any injuries to the accident.
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company: Timely reporting is required to trigger coverage even when another driver is clearly at fault, and any delay could result in a claims denial.
- Don’t Deal with Another Driver’s Insurance Company: Don’t give in to pressure to provide a recorded statement or sign anything. You are under no obligation to talk with another driver’s insurance adjuster, and it’s in your best interest not to do so.
- Preserve evidence. Do not repair, sell, or dispose of your vehicle before speaking with an attorney. Vehicles, dash-cam footage, electronic logging data, and maintenance records may all be critical.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions: Missing appointments and ignoring medical restrictions are often used by trucking and insurance companies to dispute the seriousness of injuries.
- Don’t discuss the crash with anyone outside of medical providers and your attorney. Casual conversations or offhand remarks can be taken out of context and used against you later.
- Avoid posting about the accident or your recovery on social media. Photos, check-ins, or updates—no matter how harmless they seem—can be misinterpreted and used to undermine an injury claim.
- Consult an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. You shouldn’t try to negotiate on your own. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer will help you avoid mistakes that could prevent you and your family from obtaining all the compensation you deserve.
Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers: 1-888-608-3636 for a Free Consult
Our undefeated Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers are monitoring developments related to the I-10 chain-reaction crash in Kimball County and will provide an update if new information becomes available.
In addition to being undefeated, we’ve won billions, including record-breaking verdicts and settlements, for thousands of crash victims throughout Texas and across the United States,
If you or someone you love were injured or tragically killed in an 18-wheeler accident or another trucking-related crash, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
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