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Updated: July 2025. In recent years, Texas trucking accident statistics have shown a significant increase in incidents, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures.
The majority of deaths from Houston commercial vehicle collisions to passenger cars come from the occupants of the passenger car. Because a car is so much smaller than a big rig, the brunt of a collision usually falls on the passenger car occupants. Size is only one of the differences between car accidents.
Big trucks can easily weigh 20 to 30 times more than cars or pickup trucks. The size, coupled with the higher ground clearance, led to the destruction of the passenger car in a collision at highway speeds.
Additionally, because 18-wheelers take significantly longer to stop, many accidents occur simply because the large truck cannot stop as quickly as the vehicles in front of it. Because most fatal truck accidents occur on highways or interstates, higher speeds are a factor in many of the fatal truck accidents in Texas.
Despite regulations limiting the number of hours a truck driver may drive their vehicle, tired and distracted drivers are common occurrences in many fatal crashes. Then, many truck drivers cheat on their logbooks to make ends meet financially.
If you have questions about a truck accident case, call Baumgartner Law Firm for experienced legal guidance with a truck accident attorney in Houston, TX. Rules violations by truckers have dramatically impacted the average settlement of an 18-wheeler accident.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2024, there have been over 39,393 commercial motor vehicle crashes in the state of Texas, resulting in 608 fatalities and 1,601 serious injuries. These statistics are alarming and demonstrate the need for increased safety measures for both commercial drivers and other motorists. These numbers are slightly less than the year prior.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2024, Texas had the highest number of fatal crashes involving large trucks among all states in the United States. Texas accounted for 11% of all fatal crashes involving large trucks nationwide. This staggering figure highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement in the state. The Texas DOT indicates that Houston had the most motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2023.
One of the main causes of truck crashes is driver fatigue. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a study that found that fatigue contributed to 31% of fatal truck crashes. The NTSB also recommended that the FMCSA implement stricter hours-of-service regulations to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.
Another common cause of truck crashes is distracted driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving contributed to 8% of fatal crashes involving large trucks. Both commercial drivers and other motorists must avoid distractions while driving, such as texting, eating, or using a phone.
It is also important to note that truck crashes have physical and financial consequences. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that the total economic loss due to commercial motor vehicle crashes in Texas was over $4 billion.
In response to these alarming statistics, the Texas Department of Public Safety has implemented programs such as the Texas Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), which provides education, training, and enforcement of regulations for commercial drivers. The program also conducts commercial vehicle safety inspections and ensures drivers comply with safety regulations.
Truck crashes in Texas are a serious issue that requires attention from both the government and the public. Commercial drivers must adhere to safety regulations, avoid distractions, and manage fatigue while driving. For other motorists, it is crucial to be aware of large trucks on the road and to drive defensively. By taking these precautions, we can work towards reducing the number of truck crashes and fatalities in Texas.
Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents. According to the latest numbers, there were 546 fatal commercial vehicle accidents last year, and 608 people died in those crashes. Overall, Texas reported 39,393 total commercial vehicle accidents in 2024, accounting for over 13% of all fatal trucking accidents in the United States.
Despite having the worst large truck safety problem in America, Texas lawmakers recently passed a law that makes it harder for juries to hear about motor carriers’ wrongdoing and safety violations in truck accident injury lawsuits. Nationally, 97% of all deaths in a trucking accident were passenger vehicle occupants.
Last year, truck accidents in Texas furthered the state’s reputation as the worst state in America for truck accidents. Here are the facts according to the Texas Department of Transportation:
About ½ of all big truck crashes happen on major highways. At the same time, interstates and freeways accounted for about 1/3 of all trucking crashes. Minor highways accounted for only 15% of fatal accidents involving big rigs. Many of the most deadly highways in Texas run through Houston.
Here are some of the most dangerous intersections in Houston, Texas. Some of the more dangerous highways in Houston include:
Houston has the highest number of tractor-trailer accidents in Texas each year. Unfortunately, Houston is also rated as the deadliest city in the country for fatal trucking accidents. In 2024 alone, the Houston area experienced over 66,236 vehicle accidents, resulting in 339 people killed. Of those accidents, commercial vehicles accounted for 6,313 crashes and 41 deaths.
In the latest commercial vehicle accident statistics, the greater Houston area (Harris County) had:
Texas has led the nation in fatal commercial vehicle accidents for the last ten years. Texas accounts for almost 14% of the deaths in the United States from big truck crashes.
Part of the problem is that Texas has so many miles of highways where most trucking collisions occur. Also, the number of big rigs crossing Texas daily adds to the devastating numbers.
Truck accidents differ from typical car-to-car crashes. Three separate factors contribute to the complexity of a commercial vehicle accident.
First, because of the big rig’s weight, the injury potential is astronomical compared to a car-to-car crash.
Second, because the injuries tend to be severe or even fatal, the stakes for the insurance carriers and trucking companies are significant. A court fight is almost inevitable in most severe injury or wrongful death cases to obtain maximum compensation. An exception might be where the trucking company had a single liability policy and no excess coverage for catastrophic injuries to the victim.
Third, the evidence required to prove liability encompasses numerous factors that are not typically present in a simple car accident case. Professional truck drivers are required to follow stringent safety rules to protect the public. Like pilots, safety rules and laws have been developed for truck drivers and trucking companies because vehicles can cause such damage. Trucking company rules and regulations were enacted to protect the public.
Finally, truck accident investigations are much more extensive and detailed than those of other motor vehicle crashes. Things like mechanical failure may need to be analyzed. A comparison of car accidents with truck crashes shows that trucking collisions are much more deadly. Investigations of tractor-trailer and big truck crashes require the expertise of a lawyer with substantial experience in truck collisions.
Our trucking accident attorneys have been representing catastrophically injured individuals and families who have lost a loved one for over 40 years. We have never lost a truck accident case and have secured numerous multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients.
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the vast majority of semi-truck crashes in Texas are caused by the following factors:
Additionally, violations of the FMCSR by either the trucker or motor carrier are a significant contributing factor to many fatal crashes in Texas, although such factors are often not reported in the Texas crash reports.
Our founder attorney, Greg Baumgartner, has over 40 years of experience and has been peer-reviewed as preeminent for decades.
Texas has the worst record in the country for fatal truck accidents. Houston leads the state in serious injury and fatal big rig crashes. The trucking accident attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm have been winning huge settlements in big rig accident cases for over three decades.
We charge no fee unless you receive money. And never charge for an injury accident consultation.
Don’t settle for less- Hire the best truck accident lawyers! Call us at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069
(281) 587-1111
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