18-Wheeler Accidents in Van Zandt County: Your Complete Guide to Justice and Compensation

If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler accident in Van Zandt County, you’re facing one of the most complex and high-stakes legal challenges of your life. The aftermath of a commercial truck crash leaves victims with catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and insurance companies working overtime to minimize your claim. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for Van Zandt County families devastated by trucking accidents, and we’re here to help you understand your rights and options.

Why Van Zandt County Trucking Accidents Are Different

Van Zandt County’s unique geography and transportation corridors create specific risks for trucking accidents:

• I-20 Corridor: Running through the northern part of the county, this major east-west interstate connects Dallas to Shreveport and beyond, carrying heavy commercial traffic including cross-country freight, oil field equipment, and agricultural products.

• US-80 and SH-19: These state highways serve as critical routes for local and regional freight, connecting Van Zandt County to Tyler, Terrell, and other East Texas communities. The mix of local traffic and commercial trucks creates dangerous conditions, especially at intersections.

• FM Roads and Rural Highways: Van Zandt County’s network of farm-to-market roads presents unique challenges for truck drivers. Narrow lanes, sharp curves, limited shoulders, and the presence of agricultural equipment create hazardous conditions for oversized commercial vehicles.

• Oil and Gas Industry: The Eagle Ford Shale formation extends into East Texas, bringing increased truck traffic from oil field operations. These vehicles often carry hazardous materials and heavy equipment, increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents.

• Agricultural Freight: Van Zandt County’s agricultural industry generates significant truck traffic, especially during harvest seasons. Overloaded grain trucks and livestock haulers create additional hazards on county roads.

The combination of these factors means Van Zandt County sees a disproportionate number of serious trucking accidents compared to other rural counties in Texas.

The Physics of 18-Wheeler Accidents: Why They’re So Deadly

Understanding why 18-wheeler accidents are so devastating starts with basic physics:

• Size and Weight: A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – that’s 20-25 times heavier than the average 3,500-pound passenger car. The force of impact is exponentially greater.

• Stopping Distance: At 65 mph, an 18-wheeler needs approximately 525 feet to stop – nearly two football fields. A passenger car needs only about 300 feet. This 40% longer stopping distance means trucks can’t avoid obstacles as quickly.

• Trailer Dynamics: The long trailer creates unique hazards. In a jackknife accident, the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic. In rollover accidents, the high center of gravity makes the truck unstable, especially when carrying liquid cargo that can shift.

• Underride Risks: The height difference between trucks and cars creates deadly underride scenarios. When a car strikes the rear or side of a trailer, the trailer often shears off the car’s passenger compartment at windshield level, causing catastrophic injuries.

These physical realities explain why trucking accidents in Van Zandt County so often result in life-altering injuries or fatalities.

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Van Zandt County

Our experience handling trucking cases across Van Zandt County has shown us the most common accident types in this region:

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents are particularly common in Van Zandt County due to several factors:

• Sudden braking on rural roads: When trucks encounter unexpected obstacles like wildlife, slow-moving farm equipment, or vehicles turning onto highways without warning.

• Wet conditions on FM roads: Van Zandt County’s rural roads often lack proper drainage, creating slick conditions that contribute to trailer swing.

• Improper loading: Agricultural products and oil field equipment are frequently loaded by workers without proper securement training.

• Brake system failures: The hilly terrain in parts of Van Zandt County puts additional stress on brake systems, leading to failures when maintenance is deferred.

Underride Collisions

Underride accidents are among the most deadly trucking crashes we see in Van Zandt County:

• Rear underride: Common at intersections where trucks stop suddenly and following vehicles don’t have time to react. The rural nature of Van Zandt County means many intersections lack proper lighting or warning signs.

• Side underride: Occur when trucks make wide turns at intersections or when changing lanes on highways. The large blind spots on 18-wheelers make these accidents particularly likely.

• Missing or inadequate guards: Many trucks operating in Van Zandt County are older models with outdated or missing underride guards. Federal regulations only require rear guards on trailers manufactured after 1998.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents in Van Zandt County often result from:

• Speeding on curves: Many of Van Zandt County’s rural roads have sharp curves with inadequate banking for commercial vehicles.

• Liquid cargo shifts: Tanker trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or agricultural liquids are particularly prone to rollovers when the liquid cargo shifts during turns.

• Overloaded or improperly loaded trailers: Agricultural products and construction materials are often loaded without proper weight distribution.

• Tire blowouts: The combination of heavy loads and rural road conditions increases the risk of tire failures that can lead to rollovers.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are frequent in Van Zandt County due to:

• Following too closely: Truck drivers often tailgate smaller vehicles, especially on rural roads where passing opportunities are