Rear-end collisions involving 18-wheelers can have devastating consequences.
Woman Trapped Under 18-Wheeler After Rear-End Collision on I-35
A woman was injured early Tuesday morning after her vehicle became pinned beneath an 18-wheeler on Interstate 35, according to a report from News4SanAntonio.¹
Police say the crash happened around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, on I-35 South near Somerset Road on San Antonio’s South Side. A 34-year-old woman was traveling southbound when she rear-ended an 18-wheeler.
The impact caused her vehicle to slide underneath the trailer, trapping it beneath the truck. She was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 72-year-old truck driver was not injured.
No other vehicles were involved, and the highway was shut down for several hours while crews worked to clear the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.
Did You Know?
In 2024, 21,048 crashes across Texas were caused by drivers following too closely, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.²
Rear-End Collisions and 18-Wheelers: Who’s to Blame?
Rear-end crashes are often assumed to be the fault of the driver in the back. While that may be true in many situations, accidents involving commercial trucks are often more complex.
Texas law does not assign fault based solely on which vehicle was behind the other. Instead, investigators look at what caused the crash, not just where the vehicles ended up.
Why Rear-End Crashes With 18-Wheelers Are So Dangerous
Crashes involving large trucks tend to be more severe because of the size and structure of commercial vehicles. When a passenger vehicle strikes the rear of an 18-wheeler, there is a risk of the car sliding underneath the trailer—a type of crash known as an underride.
These collisions are especially dangerous because:
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Trucks sit higher off the ground than passenger vehicles
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Smaller cars can become trapped beneath the trailer
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Trucks require much longer stopping distances
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Most crashes occur at highway speeds
Even when injuries are not immediately life-threatening, recovery can still be painful and lengthy.
Is the Rear Driver Always at Fault?
Not necessarily. While following too closely is a common cause of rear-end crashes, Texas uses a comparative negligence system. That means more than one party can share fault.
Depending on the circumstances, contributing factors may include:
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Sudden or unsafe stops by the truck
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Poor lighting or visibility on the trailer
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Missing, damaged, or defective brake lights
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Road debris or unexpected hazards
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Fatigue or distraction by either driver
Each accident must be evaluated based on the specific facts and evidence.
Why Following Distance Still Matters
Even when other factors are involved, following distance plays a major role in preventing rear-end crashes. Drivers need extra space when traveling behind large trucks because they:
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Take longer to slow down or stop
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Block visibility of traffic ahead
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Can kick up debris or create wind turbulence
Leaving additional space gives drivers more time to react if traffic suddenly slows or stops.
Early-Morning Driving Increases Risk
Many serious crashes involving commercial trucks happen in the early-morning hours. Fatigue, limited lighting, and lighter traffic can cause drivers to underestimate danger.
Drivers should use extra caution:
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Between midnight and early morning
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On highways with limited lighting
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When traffic patterns change unexpectedly
Staying alert and slowing down during these hours can prevent serious injuries.
How Fault Is Determined After a Truck Crash
Rear-end accidents involving 18-wheelers are often investigated more thoroughly than standard car crashes. Evidence may include police reports, driver logs, maintenance records, lighting conditions, and crash-scene evidence.
Because commercial vehicles are involved, liability may extend beyond the truck driver to a trucking company, maintenance provider, or other responsible parties.
What to Do After a Rear-End Truck Accident
If you’re injured in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, your health should come first. Seeking medical care right away is critical, even if injuries seem minor at first.
It’s also important to report the crash, document vehicle damage and injuries, keep medical records, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before getting legal guidance. Some injuries take time to appear.
Injured in a Rear-End Crash With an 18-Wheeler? Call Shaw.
A crash involving a commercial truck can leave drivers facing painful injuries, missed work, and mounting medical bills. If you were injured in a rear-end collision involving an 18-wheeler, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:
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Medical bills and follow-up care
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Pain, suffering, and physical limitations
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Lost wages or time away from work
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Future medical treatment
We’ll help you find out for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to speak with an experienced Texas 18-wheeler accident lawyer. There are no fees, no obligations, and no pressure—just clear, straightforward legal guidance when you need it most.
We look forward to serving you.