Dallas's Most Dangerous Highways for Truck Crashes: I-35E, I-635 LBJ, I-30, US-75
When you’re driving in Dallas regularly, you have a sense of which roads to avoid. Whether you’re planning your daily commute or heading out to run a few errands, it’s critical to avoid the most dangerous highways for truck accidents in Dallas.
The harsh reality is that the state of Texas leads the nation in fatal large-truck accidents. A handful of DFW freeways are where most of these crashes happen.
Why Dallas Has One of the Nation's Worst Truck-Crash Records
Based on tonnage, DFW is one of the top five freight hubs in the United States, which is why there are a lot of trucks on our highways. We have a lot of products moving, including shipments that are being transported out of state.
One of the main areas where these trucks are often on the road is known as the NAFTA corridor, which runs through I-35. So, there is a higher amount of truck traffic running through this region.
I-35E in Dallas: The Deadliest Freight Corridor
Stemmons Freeway, commonly known as I-35E, is ranked as one of the most dangerous truck routes in Dallas. Not only are there a lot of trucks on this highway, but the risk of an I-35E truck accident in Dallas increases for several other reasons (especially in the Dallas-to-Denton segment of the road):
- Ongoing construction
- Frequent merging
- Narrow lanes
- Traffic patterns
We see accidents in this area that often involve rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and jackknife crashes.
Interstate 635 (LBJ)
Since I-635 has managed toll lanes, it adds a layer of complexity to the driving conditions. Different lane-changing patterns can increase the risk of crashes. This highway contributes to the High Five interchange truck accident risk because the interchange design is one of the most complicated in the state.
If you’ve ever driven through this interchange, then you know that there are sudden lane drops and weaving traffic, which can trigger crashes throughout the LBJ corridor.
Interstate 30 and US-75
Finally, I-30 and US-75 must be included on the list of the most dangerous highways in Dallas. One of the biggest bottlenecks occurs where I-30 meets I-35E downtown, which is known as the Dallas Mixmaster. This crash zone has a high risk for vehicles of all sizes.
On the Central Expressway (US-75), there is an increasing level of both commuter and freight congestion along the Plano and McKinney corridor. Additionally, the entrance ramps to US-75 are shorter than on other highways, which can create sudden slowdowns and cause a higher risk of rear-end truck crashes.
Other Dallas-Area Truck Corridors Worth Watching Out for
- I-45 is a highway where there is a higher risk of fatigue-related crashes since it’s the long haul between Dallas and Houston.
- I-20 is a major southern Dallas freight route and has its own ongoing crash patterns.
- SH-121 and the Dallas North Tollway both have a risk of high-speed commercial vehicle accidents.
Why 18-Wheeler Crashes Are So Different from Regular Car Wrecks
When you consider the physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a passenger vehicle, it’s easy to see why these 18-wheeler accidents have such a high risk of severe injuries and even fatalities. These large trucks require longer stopping distances, and drivers need more reaction time, and most other drivers don’t give trucks the space that is needed.
Certain accident conditions apply to truck crashes specifically, including under-ride, jackknifing, and rollover accidents. These crashes can also be caused by the truck’s blind spots (known as the “no zones”) and the wide turn risk. Unique investigations are needed to determine the actual circumstances and liability when an accident occurs.
Who Is Actually Liable in a Dallas 18-Wheeler Crash
Even though the truck driver carries personal liability in the accident, truck crashes are usually much more complicated because other parties may be involved. For example, the motor carrier might be held liable based on respondeat superior for the driver’s actions.
Other named parties bearing liability can be identified depending on the facts and might include:
- Freight brokers
- Shippers
- Cargo loaders
- Maintenance contractors
Who Is Actually Liable in a Dallas 18-Wheeler Crash
When you consider the physics of an 80,000-pound truck hitting a passenger vehicle, it’s easy to see why these 18-wheeler accidents have such a high risk of severe injuries and even fatalities. These large trucks require longer stopping distances, and drivers need more reaction time, and most other drivers don’t give trucks the space that is needed.
Certain accident conditions apply to truck crashes specifically, including under-ride, jackknifing, and rollover accidents. These crashes can also be caused by the truck’s blind spots (known as the “no zones”) and the wide turn risk. Unique investigations are needed to determine the actual circumstances and liability when an accident occurs.
The First 72 Hours Matter for Collecting Evidence
Even though you have two years to file a truck accident claim, timing is critical if you are going to have a successful outcome for your case. Certain types of evidence can start disappearing after a few days. So, the most important thing that you can do is call a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our legal team will jump into action and start gathering evidence to support your case.
At Mignucci Law Firm, we can send letters to preserve the evidence, which need to go out within 48 hours after the accident. This process locks down the evidence before it’s lost, including the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data and dashcam footage.