There was an 18-wheeler crash in San Antonio, Texas on January 29, 2025. According to reports, an 18-wheeler jackknifed in an accident on Loop 1604 near Green Mountain Road on Wednesday night. The driver of the semi-truck indicated the vehicle’s brakes locked up, causing it to crash into a concrete median on the road. After hitting the median, the truck flipped over it and landed in the westbound lanes of the highway. The trailer disconnected and remained in the eastbound lanes. It is unclear if anyone was injured in the accident. The crash remains under investigation.
The recent 18-wheeler crash on Loop 1604 raises critical questions about what caused the truck’s brakes to lock up, leading to a dangerous jackknife accident. When a semi-truck’s brakes suddenly seize, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, making it difficult or impossible to avoid a collision. In this case, the locked brakes caused the truck to slam into a concrete median before flipping over into the opposite lanes of traffic. Understanding why brakes lock up in such situations is crucial in preventing similar accidents and improving road safety for both truck drivers and other motorists.
One common cause of brake lockup in 18-wheelers is improper brake maintenance or mechanical failure. Commercial trucks rely on complex air brake systems that require regular inspections and maintenance. If brake components, such as valves, air compressors, or slack adjusters, are worn out or malfunctioning, they may cause sudden and uncontrolled braking. Additionally, if the truck’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) is not functioning properly, the wheels can lock up instead of modulating brake pressure, significantly increasing the likelihood of a jackknife incident. Investigators will likely examine the truck’s maintenance history to determine whether mechanical failure played a role in this crash.
Another potential factor in brake lockup is brake imbalance, which occurs when some wheels receive more braking force than others. This can happen if the truck’s braking system is not properly adjusted, causing uneven distribution of braking power between the tractor and trailer. If one set of brakes engages more forcefully than the others, it can cause the wheels to lock up and send the truck into an uncontrollable skid. In extreme cases, this can lead to the truck jackknifing, where the trailer swings sideways and can separate from the cab, as seen in this accident.
Road and weather conditions may have also contributed to the brake lockup. Slick roads, icy patches, or debris on the highway can make it more difficult for a truck to maintain traction, increasing the chances of wheel lockup when braking suddenly. If the driver had to apply the brakes forcefully to avoid another hazard, the sudden deceleration may have overwhelmed the truck’s braking system, leading to the crash. Investigators will likely review road conditions at the time of the accident to determine whether environmental factors played a role.
Lastly, driver error or improper braking techniques can sometimes lead to brake lockup. If a driver applies excessive braking force, especially while making a turn or driving downhill, the wheels can seize up and cause the truck to skid. Experienced truck drivers are trained to use controlled, gradual braking to prevent this, but in high-stress situations, even skilled drivers may make split-second decisions that inadvertently trigger a lockup. The crash investigation will likely include an analysis of the driver’s actions leading up to the incident to determine whether human error contributed to the accident.
There have been a number of recent accidents involving vehicles, resulting in severe injuries and sometimes death. There was a deadly rollover crash involving an 18-wheeler tanker in San Jacinto County, Texas on January 24, 2025, resulting in a chemical spill of sulfur dioxide. An 18-wheeler that was backing into a loading dock struck and killed Arlen Vargas at the Niagara Bottling factory in Seguin, Texas on January 24, 2025. There was a fiery 18-wheeler crash in Orange County, Texas on January 26, 2025.
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 accident 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.