Two 18-Wheelers Involved in 4-Vehicle Accident on I-35

According to a KSAT News report, a major accident involving two 18-wheelers this morning caused significant delays and injuries.

Police reported that the accident happened at around 11:45 a.m. Thursday, May 8th, on Interstate 35 South at New Laredo Highway and Somerset Road. Construction in the area had slowed traffic, causing an 18-wheeler traveling southbound to swerve into the northbound lanes and crash to avoid traffic in front of it. A total of 4 vehicles were involved in the accident. No one was killed, and an unknown number of people were injured. The interstate was closed in both directions as police investigated the crash and cleared the roadway. Only the southbound lanes reopened as of 3:10 p.m.

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Did You Know?

There were 20,536 accidents involving at least one large truck (excluding buses) in Texas in 2024.

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Accidents With 18-Wheelers in Construction Zones

Orange cones, closed road signs, and miles of traffic are a common sight for Texas drivers, especially in major cities like Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

Unfortunately, the amount of 18-wheeler traffic through these major cities has increased in recent years, making an already dangerous situation much worse. If you were injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler in a construction zone anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Why Are 18-Wheelers Dangerous in Construction Zones?

These massive vehicles require more space, time, and care to maneuver safely—and construction sites typically offer the exact opposite. More specifically, 18-wheelers face numerous challenges in construction zones, including:

• Narrow Lanes and Reduced Clearance — Most construction zones involve lane reductions or shifts that make the road much tighter. For an 18-wheeler, which can be up to 8.5 feet wide and over 70 feet long, this creates an obstacle course of tight squeezes. Concrete barriers, cones, and other vehicles leave very little wiggle room, increasing the risk of sideswipes or clipping fixed objects
• Increased Traffic Congestion — Construction zones usually funnel traffic into fewer lanes, leading to backups and stop-and-go movement. For truck drivers, managing speed and keeping a safe following distance in these conditions requires constant vigilance. One distracted moment can result in a costly and potentially catastrophic crash.
• Limited Escape Routes — With concrete barriers on both sides, construction zones often leave no shoulder or emergency pull-off space. If a car cuts in front of a truck or something goes wrong mechanically, the truck driver may have nowhere to go to avoid an accident.
• Uneven or Poor Road Surfaces — Work zones frequently have uneven pavement, potholes, loose gravel, or abrupt transitions between old and new surfaces. These conditions can affect a truck’s stability and handling—especially when it’s carrying a full load. A slight bump for a car can be a serious hazard for an 18-wheeler.

Who Pays for an 18-Wheeler Accident in a Construction Zone?

Texas is an at-fault State. That means that whoever caused the accident is legally responsible for paying damages to the injured parties.

Because multiple factors typically contribute to an accident, more than one party can bear legal responsibility in the same incident. In a construction zone accident involving an 18-wheeler, responsible parties can include:

• The truck driver,
• The trucking company,
• Maintenance companies,
• A construction company,
• The State or local government,
• And other drivers.

Can I File a Claim If I’m Partially Responsible for the Accident?

Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. This rule allows you to claim damages in an accident as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.

However, your settlement amount will be reduced by the percentage you contributed to the accident.

That means that if a jury finds you 25% responsible and awards you $150,000, you would only be allowed to collect $112,500.

Injured in an 18-Wheeler Accident in a Construction Zone? Call Shaw!

It can be difficult to get compensation for an accident involving big companies–you don’t have to face them alone.

If you were injured in an 18-wheeler accident in a construction zone anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Surgeries,
• TBI,
• Spinal Cord Injuries,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Missed Work,
• Property Damage,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Texas. There are no fees or obligations attached, just the expert legal advice you need. Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.

We look forward to serving you.

 

¹KSAT Report

²FMCSA Truck Crash Data