There was an accident involving two 18-wheelers near Van Horn, Texas on December 13, 2024. According to reports, an 18-wheeler traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 crossed over the median and into oncoming traffic. It crashed into another vehicle and a second 18-wheeler as well. It is unclear how many people were injured in the crash.
When an 18-wheeler crosses into oncoming traffic on a highway, the consequences can be devastating. These vehicles, due to their massive size and weight, pose an immense risk to other drivers when they lose control. In the accident near Van Horn, Texas, where an eastbound 18-wheeler crossed the median into westbound traffic on Interstate 10, the potential for severe injuries and fatalities was high. Collisions involving multiple vehicles, especially other 18-wheelers, often result in catastrophic damage, with passenger vehicles at the greatest risk due to their inability to withstand the force of such impacts.
One of the primary dangers when an 18-wheeler enters oncoming traffic is the limited time other drivers have to react. At highway speeds, drivers in the opposite lane may only have seconds to avoid the truck, and evasive maneuvers are often unsuccessful. Even when drivers attempt to swerve, they risk losing control of their own vehicles, leading to secondary crashes or rollovers. In this case, the second 18-wheeler and at least one other vehicle were struck, illustrating how quickly such incidents can escalate into multi-vehicle collisions.
The factors that cause an 18-wheeler to cross into oncoming traffic often include mechanical failure, driver error, or environmental conditions. Tire blowouts, brake failure, or steering malfunctions can lead to a loss of control, especially on highways where the truck’s speed compounds the difficulty of recovery. Additionally, driver fatigue, distraction, or medical emergencies can cause the operator to veer off course. In some cases, slippery roads or strong winds may contribute, especially if the truck is carrying an unbalanced or improperly secured load.
Preventing these incidents requires proactive safety measures and strict adherence to regulations. Regular vehicle inspections, mandatory rest periods for drivers, and advanced safety technologies like lane departure warnings and electronic stability control can help mitigate the risk of 18-wheelers entering oncoming traffic. Highways with physical barriers separating opposing lanes, rather than open medians, can also prevent crossover accidents. The Van Horn accident underscores the critical need for these precautions to protect drivers from the catastrophic risks posed by out-of-control commercial vehicles.
There have been a number of recent accidents involving vehicles, resulting in severe injuries and sometimes death. There was a deadly crash between an 18-wheeler and a motorcycle in Galena Park, Texas on December 3, 2024. There was a deadly 18-wheeler accident in Wylie, Texas on December 4, 2024. There was an 18-wheeler accident in Houston, Texas on December 5, 2024. There was an 18-wheeler accident in Tarkington, Texas on December 6, 2024. A concrete truck and a meal delivery truck collided in a crash on the Sam Houston Tollway in Houston, Texas on December 10, 2024.
Spagnoletti Law Firm is proud to have attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, and New York. Our team has worked on numerous cases involving severe auto and bus accidents, offering dedicated legal representation to families who have lost loved ones or individuals who have suffered serious injuries in trucking or commercial vehicle crashes.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, the 18-wheeler injury attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm are here to help you navigate your legal options. Contact us today online or call 713-804-9306 for a free consultation and to learn more about your rights.