18-wheeler accidents commonly result in passenger vehicle fatalities, especially at highway speeds.
Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving a Tractor-Trailer Claims 2 Lives on I-35
According to a San Antonio Express-News report¹, a horrific accident in San Marcos killed two people on Friday, September 1, 2023.
Police reported the accident involved 4 passenger vehicles and one semi-truck on the Southbound lanes of I-35 in San Marcos. It happened at around 7 a.m. Friday morning, and closed the Interstate in both directions. A pickup truck lost control and hit the tractor-trailer and another vehicle before flipping over the median. It then hit a minivan in the southbound lanes. The other pickup was hit again by a BMW going north. The minivan driver was killed, as was a passenger in the first pickup truck.
Did You Know?
11% of national motor vehicle fatalities were because of large truck crashes in 2021.
Disturbing 18-Wheeler Accident Trends: What You Need to Know
San Antonio has 4 Interstate Highways and 4 U.S. Highways running through it, creating plenty of opportunity for 18-wheeler accidents. In fact, I-10, I-45, and I-35, which all run through San Antonio, are among the deadliest highways in the entire state. It’s no wonder San Antonio has a high rate of semi-truck accidents.
As demand for goods and services in San Antonio grows to match the increasing population, so does the number of 18-wheeler accidents. Some disturbing trends for semi-truck accidents include:
- Fatal 18-wheeler accidents increased by 17% in 2021.
- Semi-truck accidents are more likely to occur on major roads other than Interstate freeways (48%).
- Fatal tractor-trailer accidents are most likely to occur between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. on any road (50%).
- Passenger vehicle and pedestrian deaths account for 83% of fatalities, compared to only 16% of truck driver fatalities.
- Most truck occupant fatalities happen in single-vehicle accidents (58%)².
So, not only are 18-wheeler accidents on the rise, they almost always result in passenger vehicle deaths over truck occupant deaths. Plus, the fatal accidents occurred more often on the major roadways other than Interstate highways during the hours when people were going to work or dropping their kids off at school.
3 Tips to Protect Yourself From 18-wheeler Accidents in San Antonio
18-wheeler accidents can happen unexpectedly due to a tire blowout or shift in cargo, causing weight imbalance. Here are 3 tips to prevent a truck accident in San Antonio.
- Leave extra following distance – semi-trucks can only see cars clearly about 4 car lengths back. Following too close makes it nearly impossible for the driver to see you and makes it more likely that you will rear-end the truck.
- Don’t cut in front of an 18-wheeler – trucks stop about 40% slower than passenger cars. That means they need almost double the time to stop than you will. Don’t pull in front of them until you see the ENTIRE truck in your mirror.
- Be Patient – traffic is awful in San Antonio for everyone right now, which can create stress for drivers. The slow movement of 18-wheelers can make you want to speed ahead, honk, or otherwise drive aggressively in heavy traffic. Remember that trucks use speed-limiting tech to keep everyone safe and be patient.
The safest accident is none at all. But, if you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident in San Antonio, the best way to protect your rights is to contact an experienced 18-wheeler accident attorney.
Hire Carabin Shaw 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys
Our attorneys have 30 years of experience representing people injured in semi-truck accidents in San Antonio. We put our clients first because we care. Contact 800-862-1260 or use the live chat at the bottom right of your screen to get started. We look forward to serving you.
¹San Antonio Express-News Report