Texas leads the nation in fatal truck accidents, with over 26,000 commercial vehicle crashes annually and a 24% increase in fatal truck crashes from 2019 to 2022. These incidents often result in mass casualties due to the sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers. McKay Law, led by Lindsey McKay, specializes in wrongful death and mass casualty cases, offering over 20 years of experience, a proven track record, and “Texas-tough” advocacy. They provide comprehensive legal support, including evidence preservation, tackling complex liability issues, and fighting aggressive insurance tactics. Operating on a contingency fee basis, McKay Law ensures families receive justice and compensation without upfront costs. Contact them 24/7 for a free consultation.
The Devastating Reality: Texas Leads the Nation in Fatal Truck Accidents
Every 20 minutes in Texas, a collision involving an 18-wheeler occurs. This sobering statistic represents more than just numbers—it represents families shattered, lives lost, and communities forever changed. Texas leads the pack with a reported 579 fatal truck accidents, making it the most dangerous state in America for large truck crashes.
When these massive vehicles—weighing up to 80,000 pounds fully loaded—lose control or collide with passenger vehicles, the results are often catastrophic. The physics are simple and terrifying: a fully loaded 18-wheeler has 20 times the weight of an average passenger car, creating devastating force upon impact that frequently results in mass casualty incidents.
The Alarming Numbers: Texas Truck Accident Statistics That Demand Action
The data paints a stark picture of the danger on Texas roads:
Statewide Crisis:
- Texas documented over 26,000 commercial motor vehicle accidents in 2023
- Almost 14% of all truck accident deaths in the United States happen in Texas
- Fatal truck crashes in Texas increased from 579 in 2019 to 716 in 2022—a 24% increase in just three years
- Over 480 fatal Texas truck accidents occur annually, with 950 resulting in suspected serious injury
Mass Casualty Reality:
Recent devastating examples demonstrate how quickly truck accidents become mass casualty events:
- Austin I-35 Tragedy (March 2025): An intoxicated truck driver plowed through 18 vehicles, killing 5 people including two children and hospitalizing 11 others
- Fort Worth Winter Storm Disaster (February 2021): A FedEx truck lost control on icy roads, triggering a 133-vehicle pileup that killed 6 people and was declared a “mass casualty event”
- Terrell I-20 Catastrophe (June 2025): A sleeping truck driver caused a 7-vehicle crash involving three 18-wheelers, killing 4 people instantly
Geographic Concentration of Danger:
Harris County leads Texas with 6,113 truck accidents, followed by Dallas County with 3,871 commercial motor vehicle accidents. The state’s major metropolitan areas bear the brunt of this crisis, with Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio experiencing the highest frequency of large truck crashes.
Why Texas is America’s Truck Accident Capital
Infrastructure and Geography:
- Texas has the most road miles of any U.S. state (654,923 miles)
- Texas is home to 16 interstate highways and 45 U.S. highways
- Over 14 million trucks are registered in the state, with many more passing through daily
Economic Drivers Creating Deadly Conditions:
- Oil and Gas Industry: Texas produces large amounts of oil and gas requiring constant transportation via large trucks to extraction sites, refineries, and distribution centers
- Manufacturing Hub: Manufacturing is one of Texas’s most common industries, requiring constant trucking for goods transport
- Central Location: Texas’s central location means major interstate routes pass through the state, creating massive commercial traffic volumes
Dangerous Speed Limits:
Texas is the only state with speed limits that go up to 85 miles per hour, making accidents far more common since oversized vehicles struggle to brake at high speeds.
How 18-Wheelers Create Mass Casualty Incidents
The Physics of Destruction:
When an 80,000-pound 18-wheeler collides with passenger vehicles weighing 3,000-4,000 pounds, the result is predictable devastation. In fatal truck accidents, 82% of victims were not the truck’s occupants—they were innocent drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles.
Chain Reaction Crashes:
74.9% of truck accidents that involve a collision with another vehicle are fatal. These crashes often trigger chain reactions, as demonstrated in recent Texas incidents:
- The Austin crash involved 18 vehicles total, with the truck continuing for about a tenth of a mile after hitting the first vehicle, striking others in its path
- The Fort Worth pileup stretched for 1 ½ miles with some cars wedged beneath 18-wheelers
Primary Causes Leading to Mass Casualties:
According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration studies, 38% of truck accidents result from speed-related errors, 28% from inattention or distractions, and 12% from driver impairment including fatigue.
Mass Casualty Incidents: Understanding the Legal Definition
A mass casualty incident (MCI) describes an incident in which emergency medical services resources, such as personnel and equipment, are overwhelmed by the number and severity of casualties. Even accidents with just three severely injured people can qualify as mass casualty incidents, but truck accidents frequently involve many more victims due to their catastrophic nature.
Recent Texas examples include:
- Palm Beach Turnpike: 4-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck injured 14 people, declared a “mass casualty event”
- El Paso Transmountain: Semi-truck crashed into multiple vehicles and caught fire, injuring 8 with 1 fatality
Why McKay Law Stands Above the Rest for Wrongful Death and Mass Casualty Cases
Proven Track Record:
Lindsey McKay recently won a $6,000,000 wrongful death claim in a truck accident for her client and has recovered millions for her clients. This isn’t just legal representation—it’s justice delivered with the full force of Texas determination.
Unmatched Experience:
- Over 20 years of combined experience in personal injury and commercial litigation
- In her first year as a licensed attorney, McKay was nominated by senior attorneys to argue in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on a Civil Rights case where she prevailed
- Expertise extends to medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and car accidents
Educational Excellence:
Raised and educated in Dallas, Texas, McKay graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in three years with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, then earned her J.D. from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. She also gained valuable experience through internships at the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office Gang Unit and Dallas County Felony Court.
“Texas Tough” Advocacy:
McKay’s approach embodies Texas values: “Like you, I live and raise my family in Texas. Like you, we live our lives with Texas values. Like you, we only want to be treated fairly and watch out for our family, friends, and neighbors. So when an unforeseen accident happens WE’RE TEXAS TOUGH FOR YOU!”
Comprehensive Legal Support:
McKay Law handles property damages for injured clients and ensures clients receive prompt medical care and treatments—understanding that successful wrongful death and mass casualty cases require addressing both immediate needs and long-term consequences.
The Critical Importance of Immediate Legal Action
Evidence Preservation:
In mass casualty truck accidents, crucial evidence can disappear quickly:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data showing driver hours and compliance violations
- Truck maintenance records revealing mechanical failures
- Witness statements before memories fade
- Accident scene evidence before cleanup
Complex Liability Issues:
Mass casualty truck accidents often involve multiple liable parties:
- Truck drivers (for violations, impairment, or negligence)
- Trucking companies (for inadequate training, maintenance, or hiring practices)
- Cargo loading companies (for improper loading causing instability)
- Maintenance providers (for failing to properly service vehicles)
- Manufacturers (for defective parts or vehicles)
Insurance Company Tactics:
Large trucking companies and their insurers deploy teams of investigators and lawyers immediately after mass casualty incidents. Families need equally aggressive representation to protect their rights and ensure fair compensation.
The True Cost of Wrongful Death from Truck Accidents
The average fatal trucking accident costs a staggering $7.2 million, but no amount can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one. However, proper legal representation ensures families receive compensation for:
- Economic Damages: Lost income, benefits, and financial support the deceased would have provided
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional trauma
- Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, and final care costs
- Funeral and Burial Costs: Immediate expenses families face
- Punitive Damages: When gross negligence or willful misconduct is proven
Why McKay Law is Your Best Choice for Justice
When facing the aftermath of a mass casualty truck accident or wrongful death, you need more than just any lawyer—you need a proven advocate who understands both the law and the devastating impact on your family.
Client Testimonials Speak Volumes:
- “It was a lot better than I thought it was gonna be. I had a goal in mind and she exceed it and my wife said .. I don’t even think that’s possible .. not in my lifetime.”
- “I can’t even express the hard amount of time and effort McKay has put in for me and this case.”
- “Very professional, courteous and caring for the needs of…”
No Fees Unless We Win:
McKay Law operates on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for your family. This ensures our interests align completely with yours.
24/7 Availability:
Truck accidents don’t follow business hours, and neither do we. Our team is available around the clock because we understand that crucial decisions often can’t wait.
Take Action Today
With yearly truck accidents in Texas increasing by 13% since 2020, the roads are becoming more dangerous each year. If your family has been affected by a truck accident resulting in wrongful death or mass casualties, don’t face the legal system alone.
Contact McKay Law immediately:
- Phone: (903) 465-8733
- Free Consultation: Available 24/7
- No upfront costs: We fight for you at no cost unless we win
The statistics are clear: Texas roads are dangerous, truck accidents are increasing, and mass casualty incidents are becoming more common. But with McKay Law’s proven track record, Texas-tough advocacy, and commitment to justice, you have a powerful ally in your fight for compensation and accountability.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your family’s loss. Don’t let trucking companies escape responsibility. Choose McKay Law—where justice isn’t just our profession, it’s our passion.
