18 Wheeler Accidents on Texas Roadways Bring Dangerous Start to 2014

Michael S. Callahan | | 18 Wheeler Accidents

Since the New Year began, a number of 18 wheeler accidents have plagued Texas roadways, resulting in deaths, injuries and traffic backups. Among the many reported accidents were the following:

Saturday, Jan 4th, a woman was seriously injured when an 18 wheeler crushed the Smart Car she was driving on US 59 in the Porter area. According to the Montgomery County Police Reporter, the northbound 18 wheeler, owned by Kroger Company, struck the Smart Car while changing lanes, pushing the small vehicle into a concrete barrier. The driver reportedly did not see the Smart Car next to him when changing lanes. The car went over the barrier into the southbound lanes and the unidentified woman was ejected from the vehicle. Authorities found her lying on the freeway. She was rushed to Hermann Hospital in Houston in critical condition. According to the report, charges were pending against the truck driver as the investigation continued.

Tuesday, Jan 7th, a wreck involving an 18 wheeler and a car shut down North Texas Interstate 35 in Carrollton just before 2am. According to CBS, officials of the Carrollton Police Department said the 18 wheeler flipped and spilled its load of oil drilling pipes after clipping the back end of the car. Two people reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash. Authorities had to shut both sides of the interstate down for cleanup.

CBS reported a major pileup in Dallas on Friday, Jan. 10th, involving six 18-wheelers and eight other vehicles that shut down I-30 in both directions. The accident occurred about 3:30 am on the eastbound lanes over Lake Ray Hubbard and spilled onto the westbound lanes when one of the 18 wheelers lost its load. According to news report, seven people suffered injuries in the crash.

Just before 11am the same day, another accident involving an 18 wheeler was reported about 10 miles east at I-30 near FM 548. It also shut down the interstate in both directions.

Also on Jan 10th, an 18 wheeler accident in Montgomery County shut down both north and southbound lanes of I-45 at FM 242 at about 8:30 pm. According to The Courier, the truck, a large tractor-wrecker, hit a retaining wall on the inside northbound lane of I-45, ending up on its side. Ambulances rushed injured victims from the truck and two other vehicles involved in the crash to Conroe Regional Medical Center and the Texas Medical Center in Houston. A hazmat crew worked to clean up spilled fuel on the interstate.

The following morning southbound lanes of I-45 near FM 1960 in Houston were closed for hours after an 18 wheeler lost its load, spilling UPS packages and debris across the interstate. No injuries were reported.

On January 13th, just after 10am a large truck crashed into an automobile on FM 1960 in Atascocita, shutting down the congested northeast Harris County roadway. According to KHOU, witnesses said while changing lanes the heavy truck hit the car, skidded off the road and flipped in a ditch. Life Flight transported the driver of the car, identified as retired Houston police officer Larry Moody, to Memorial Hermann Hospital after firefighters removed the roof of his car to free him. He reportedly suffered multiple fractures in his legs. The driver of the large truck was also taken to the hospital. His condition was not reported.

On Thursday, Jan 16th, an 18 wheeler struck a pedestrian on Hwy 114 in Denton County. The seriously injured man was flown to an area hospital for treatment.

Let’s hope the start to 2014 is not an indicator of what this year will bring. While accidents do occur daily on Texas roadways and some trucking accidents are unavoidable, there are many that could be prevented. Truck driver inattention and truck driver fatigue, as well as many other factors, can contribute to a trucking accident.

Commercial truck drivers bear the responsibility of operating their large, heavy trucks in the safest manner possible. When they don’t, they must be held accountable.

Injured in an 18 Wheeler Accident?

If you suffered injury or lost a loved one in an accident involving an 18 wheeler or other large commercial truck and are considering legal action, contact an 18 wheeler accident attorney with the skills, knowledge and experience to handle and win such a case. The Callahan Law Firm takes serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout the state and our attorneys are prepared to investigate all legal options with no financial risk to you. Contact our firm now to learn more.