How to protect your family on the road
If you drive on Texas highways you have likely encountered some situations which you felt were unsafe or even dangerous. As a parent or grandparent, we especially worry about protecting our children from dangerous drivers, particularly from large commercial vehicles such as 18 -wheelers.
How to protect your family while on the road with 18-wheelers:
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings when driving near 18-wheelers. Keep watch where the truck is and where other nearby cars are located and their movement. Being alert can give you time to move out of the way and to safety in the event of a collision.
- Don’t crowd 18-wheelers. When driving behind a semi- truck, leave enough space to stop in case the driver must slam on his brakes. You do not want to rear-end an 18-wheeler.
- Pass safely. When passing an 18-wheeler, stay closer to the shoulder than to the truck and pass as quickly as you can safely pass. If you linger next to the 18-wheeler, you may be in their blind spot.
- Don’t cut in front of a semi-truck. It takes large trucks a long distance to stop. Leave enough space between you and the truck so they can avoid hitting you in the event of a slowdown.
- Avoid the big rig’s blind spots. Large trucks have multiple blind spots, including the right side of the truck, directly in front of the truck, and directly behind the trailer. To protect yourself, stay out of these blind spots. The old adage is that if you can’t see the driver in the mirror, they can’t see you.
- Use your turn signal. Always use your turn signal when you are changing lanes or making a turn. Give the big rig driver sufficient warning of where you are moving to so he can avoid hitting you.
- If you travel in mountainous areas, you may have seen the runaway truck ramps. These ramps are there because trucks can have brake failures on steep slopes. Stay away from big trucks on both inclining and declining slopes to protect yourself in the event of a runaway truck. If you are sharing the road with a big truck and the road is steep, stay as far away as you can in the event of a brake failure.
- 18-wheelers take very wide turns due to their length. Give them enough space when they are turning so they don’t hit you.
Here are some other safe driving tips to help keep you and your family safe while on the road:
- Avoid distractions, such as texting, applying make-up and eating;
- Watch out for and move away from drivers who are swerving or otherwise demonstrating that they are distracted by texting on their phone;
- Always make sure your child is in the proper car seat, even when traveling in someone else’s vehicle;
- Keep a proper distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Keep enough space to that if the traffic stops ahead of you that you have time to stop;
- Check your rear and side mirror often. You may be able to change lanes to avoid a collision if you are keeping a close lookout;
- Allow enough time to get to your destination so you don’t have to rush;
- Plan your route ahead of time and use voice-activated navigation systems so that you can focus on driving rather than searching for the road you need to turn on;
- Obey the posted speed limits;
- Take breaks—don’t become fatigued;
- Keep a first aid kit in your car and if you are traveling in desert areas, keep extra water in your car.
- If you are traveling in icy conditions, make sure you have the proper tires and chains, if required. Also, make sure you have blankets and other supplies to stay warm if you are stranded.
The attorneys at Wham & Rogers have years of experience in 18-wheeler collision cases. Call 832-592-1108
or text (832) 413-1428 for a free consultation.
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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. None of the information on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
If you own a vehicle with keyless entry or a "push-to-start" ignition, you need to know about the relay attack.
Intersections and high center of gravity vehicles are associated with dangerous rollover crashes.
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The crash at the intersection of Lake Woodlands and Grogans Mill knocked the wheels right off the Ford F-150.
On February 18, 2026, an accident involving a motorcycle and two other vehicles occurred on Aldine Westfield Road near Wood River Drive, Fox26 Houston reports. An off-duty officer was operating the motorcycle and was found unresponsive at the scene. Despite the efforts of EMS and firefighters, they were unable to save the deputy. The investigation into the crash is being handled by the Precinct 4 accident investigation team, and all lanes on Aldine Westfield Road were shut down due to the incident. The driver of the vehicle stayed on the scene and was not impaired at the time of the accident. It is not yet clear if the crash was related to the arrest of a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputy at the scene, who was charged with DWI.
February 12th, 2026, Houston: An 18-wheeler rollover on Southwest Freeway near Chimney Rock Road blocked multiple outbound lanes, leading to major delays for commuters, KHOU reports. The truck rolled onto its passenger side, crushing a pickup truck and dragging it approximately 100 yards. Fortunately, the pickup truck’s driver escaped unscathed, and there were no reported injuries. Fire officials also noted that the semi-truck did not lose its load during the incident. If you have been injured in a serious truck or 18-wheeler accident in Texas, please call Wham & Rogers for a free consultation at 832-592-1108 .
On February 5, 2026, a dramatic rescue unfolded on Highway 290 near Mason Road in Cypress, Texas, when a woman found herself trapped in her vehicle after a major two-vehicle crash. The crash caused significant delays, with two westbound main lanes on Highway 290 remaining closed. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that when emergency services arrived at the scene, they discovered the woman wedged underneath a truck . This type of accident is called a Side Underride Crash , and car manufacturers face pressure to install additional safeguards. Thanks to the efforts of first responders, the woman was safely removed from her vehicle and taken to the hospital for further care. If you have been injured in a serious car accident in Houston, please call Wham & Rogers for a free consultation at 832-592-1108.
A new video released after a fatal crash in the Texas Panhandle shows a truck on US 87 crashing into four young women from the Houston area. The women had to reduce their speed due to a flat tire, and had turned the hazard lights on. Despite their precautions, an 18-wheeler transporting produce for the San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B collided with the Nissan Altima, tragically killing the driver and three passengers. Long hours, insufficient training and lax monitoring make commercial vehicle and big rig accidents all too common on Texas roadways.
On the afternoon of June 28th, a truck driver allegedly fell asleep while driving an 18-wheeler on I-20 east of Dallas , causing him to crash into four cars and three 18-wheelers. This accident resulted in five deaths and an unknown number of injuries. This crash caused I-20 to be closed for several hours on Saturday while the victims were treated and the vehicles were removed from the scene. The driver was arrested the next day after admitting to falling asleep while driving, and is facing five counts of manslaughter along with a count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 18-wheeler accidents have become a near daily occurrence, putting many drivers at risk. It is important to obtain counsel immediately if you have been in a collision with an 18-wheeler to ensure evidence is preserved and the accident is investigated thoroughly. If you have been injured in a serious 18-wheeler or commercial vehicle accident in Texas, call Wham & Rogers at 832-592-1108 for a free consultation.
