How many accidents are caused by 18-wheelers?

Last Updated on July 17, 2025 by Beltz Law Group

Understanding the Impact: Trucking Accident Statistics in Texas and Your Rights

Every day on Texas roads, the sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles create a disproportionate risk of severe accidents. When these massive vehicles are involved in collisions, the consequences for occupants of smaller passenger vehicles are often catastrophic, leading to serious injuries or even fatalities.

At Beltz Law Group, we witness firsthand the devastating impact of these accidents on individuals and families across Texas. Understanding the statistics behind these incidents can shed light on the pervasive dangers and underscore the importance of experienced legal representation if you or a loved one becomes a victim.

The Alarming Reality: Truck Accident Statistics in Texas

The numbers paint a stark picture of the challenges on our roadways:

• Overall Crashes: In 2023, Texas experienced over 32,500 commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. Preliminary data for 2024 shows a continuing trend of a high number of incidents, though some sources indicate a slight overall decrease in truck-involved crashes from 2021 to 2024.
• Fatalities: In 2023, there were 513 fatal CMV crashes in Texas, resulting in a significant number of deaths. Nationally, in 2023, 5,472 people died in large truck crashes. Historically, the number of fatalities in large truck crashes has shown an upward trend over the last decade compared to earlier periods.
• Serious Injuries: In 2023, Texas reported 1,245 suspected serious injuries from CMV crashes. Nationally, over 153,000 people were injured in large truck crashes in 2023.
• Disproportionate Impact: A critical statistic is that 70-71% of deaths in large truck accidents are occupants of other vehicles, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of those in smaller cars.
• Frequency: In Texas, an accident involving a semi-truck occurs roughly every 20 minutes.

These figures underscore that despite efforts to improve road safety, collisions involving large commercial trucks remain a persistent and severe threat, particularly in a state with extensive highways and high commercial traffic like Texas.

Common Risk Factors in 18-Wheeler Accidents

While every accident is unique, several recurring factors contribute to these devastating collisions:

• Driver Fatigue: Commercial truck drivers often face immense pressure to meet tight deadlines, leading to long hours and insufficient rest. Driving while fatigued significantly impairs reaction time, judgment, and awareness, making it as dangerous as impaired driving.
• Distracted Driving: Despite regulations, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, in-cab technology, eating, or even external roadside attractions. Nationally, distracted driving contributed to 380 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in Texas in 2024 (all vehicle types), with large vehicles often involved.
• Excessive Speed: Speeding is a factor in a substantial percentage of all road accidents. For 18-wheelers, high speeds are exceptionally dangerous due to their extended stopping distances and difficulty maneuvering, especially on curves or in adverse weather. In 2023, 33% of all Texas commercial truck accidents were related to speeding.
• Inadequate Driver Training & Experience: Operating an 18-wheeler requires specialized skills and extensive training. Inexperienced drivers or those without proper training on specific vehicle types or cargo can easily lose control, leading to severe accidents.
• Mechanical Failure: Despite rigorous maintenance requirements, mechanical defects can lead to accidents. Issues like brake failure, tire blowouts, steering system malfunctions, or faulty lighting can occur if routine inspections and maintenance are neglected by the trucking company or vehicle owner.
• Improper Cargo Loading: Unbalanced, overloaded, or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable, overturn, or lose control.
• Impaired Driving: While less common among commercial drivers due to strict regulations, alcohol or drug impairment can still lead to catastrophic truck accidents.

Your Right to Compensation: Why a Truck Accident Attorney is Crucial

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation for your damages. However, pursuing a claim against a trucking company and their insurers is a complex undertaking that differs significantly from a standard car accident case.

Here’s why experienced legal representation from a firm like Beltz Law Group is essential:

• Complex Regulations: Trucking is heavily regulated by both federal (FMCSA) and state laws. Proving negligence often requires an in-depth understanding of these regulations, hours-of-service rules, maintenance logs, and driver qualifications.
• Extensive Evidence: Gathering the necessary evidence—from black box data and driver logs to maintenance records, eyewitness statements, and accident reconstruction—is a massive undertaking. An attorney has the resources and expertise to conduct a thorough investigation.
• Multiple Parties: Unlike car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the vehicle manufacturer, or even third-party maintenance providers. Identifying all liable parties is critical for maximizing your compensation.
• High-Stakes Insurance Companies: Trucking companies are backed by large insurance carriers with vast resources and aggressive legal teams whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. Without experienced legal counsel, you risk being undervalued or denied rightful compensation.
• Calculating Damages: Beyond immediate medical bills, an attorney can help you account for long-term care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages.

Seek Expert Legal Guidance for Your Truck Accident Claim

The aftermath of a serious truck accident can be overwhelming. While the statistics highlight the dangers, they also underscore the need for vigilance and, if necessary, decisive legal action. Proving fault and securing proper compensation is not an easy task, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At Beltz Law Group, we have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to stand up to powerful trucking companies and their insurers on your behalf. If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Texas, contact us for a comprehensive case evaluation. We are committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Truck accident cases are highly complex, and the outcome depends on the specific facts and applicable law. It is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney regarding your individual situation.