There was a crash involving an 18-wheeler in on Highway 249 near Navasota, Texas on September 5, 2024. According to reports, a Toyota Tacoma Pickup truck hydroplaned while traveling southbound on Highway 249. The pickup struck an 18-wheeler traveling southbound head-on. Both individuals in the pickup truck were taken via helicopter to receive medical care. Additional details have not been released.
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water, causing a loss of traction and control. In pickup trucks, hydroplaning can happen for several reasons, with tire conditions being a major factor. Worn or improperly inflated tires have less ability to channel water away from the tread, making it easier for the truck to skid across the water rather than maintain contact with the road. Pickup trucks, with their heavier front ends and lighter rear ends, are particularly vulnerable to this imbalance, and poor tire maintenance increases the likelihood of hydroplaning, especially during heavy rain or when driving through puddles.
Another cause of hydroplaning in pickup trucks is excessive speed. When driving too fast for wet road conditions, the tires may not be able to displace the water on the road quickly enough, resulting in the truck gliding on top of the water rather than gripping the road surface. The risk of hydroplaning increases significantly at speeds over 35 mph in wet conditions, and because pickups are often driven at high speeds, especially on highways, failing to adjust speed when roads are slick can lead to dangerous loss of control.
Road conditions also play a critical role in causing hydroplaning. Roads with poor drainage or uneven surfaces can accumulate water, creating ideal conditions for hydroplaning. Pickup trucks are heavier vehicles, but their lighter rear ends may cause instability when encountering standing water on the road. If the rear tires hit a puddle or a patch of standing water while the front tires are still in contact with the road, the back end can slide out, leading to a potential spin or loss of control. Driving on roads with steep inclines, sharp turns, or construction areas where water tends to pool increases the risk for hydroplaning, especially in pickups.
Lastly, weather conditions such as heavy rain, snowmelt, or even oil residue on roads after light rain can significantly increase the risk of hydroplaning. When roads are freshly wet from rain, the thin layer of water combined with oil can make roads particularly slick, reducing the tires’ ability to maintain traction. Pickup trucks, especially when not loaded, have more trouble maintaining stability in these conditions, increasing the chances of hydroplaning, particularly during the first 10 to 15 minutes of a rainstorm when the roads are most slippery.
There have been a number of recent accidents involving vehicles, resulting in severe injuries and sometimes death. There was an accident involving multiple oilfield work trucks in Mentone, Texas on August 28, 2024. There was an accident involving two 18-wheelers near Marlin, Texas on August 28, 2024. There was a deadly crash involving two 18-wheelers in Hansford County, Texas on August 27, 2024. There was a crash involving a FedEx 18-wheeler in Alamo, Texas on August 30, 2024.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, New Mexico and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving catastrophic auto and bus accidents. Our attorneys have extensive experience and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in a trucking or commercial vehicle accident.
The experienced accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm have previously been involved in similar cases and can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was involved in an accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.