On Thursday, December 14th, an 18-wheeler's oversized load collided on FM-2978 in the Houston-area suburb of Tomball. According to Lt. Simon Cheng of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the tractor trailer failed to complete the turn and had begun to reverse for a second attempt when the SUV was impacted.

Tragically, a man in the back passenger side of the vehicle was killed. While details for this case are still emerging, oversized loads on commercial trucks are frequently implicated in deadly accidents. Texas has seen 563 truck accidents leading to death in 2023 alone. Driver fatigue and inadequate training can contribute to fatal truck accidents, but the sheer size of many 18-wheeler loads creates unusual and unpredictable situations for other drivers.

Texas law sets standards for police escorts, flagger vehicles and other safety measures that may be required of 18-wheelers with oversized loads. Failure to adhere to these standards often leads to tragic, avoidable deaths on Texas roadways. In addition to the possibility of criminal charges, drivers, trucking companies, and insurers can face severe civil penalties, including wrongful death lawsuits, if they do not take adequate precautions.

If you would like to speak to a board-certified attorney about an 18-wheeler or semi-truck accident in the Greater Houston Area, please call (832) 592-1108.