Four years ago, North Texas witnessed a devastating tragedy. On February 11, 2021, icy roads on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth became the site of a catastrophic 130-vehicle pile-up, claiming six lives and injuring dozens more. Many of the vehicles involved were 18-wheelers—commercial trucks that failed to take the necessary safety precautions.
Now, as another round of severe winter weather sweeps through the region, one question looms: Have we done enough to prevent history from repeating itself?
TxDOT Takes Action—But Is It Enough?
When ice once again threatened North Texas roads, TxDOT moved to close toll roads with high-speed limits and limited escape routes. This is a step in the right direction and a critical example for private toll operators.
However, road closures alone don’t address the root cause of these deadly pile-ups: commercial trucking companies that continue operating when conditions make it unsafe to do so.
The Law Is Clear: Truck Drivers Must Exercise Extreme Caution
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) § 392.14 explicitly require truck drivers to slow down—or stop driving altogether—when hazardous conditions affect visibility or traction.
Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated.
Yet, time and time again, trucking companies ignore these rules, prioritizing profits over people’s lives.
The Consequences of Ignoring Safety Regulations
The 2021 Fort Worth pile-up wasn’t an unavoidable accident—it was preventable. Investigations uncovered:
- Negligence by trucking companies that failed to adjust to dangerous road conditions.
- Inexperienced or unauthorized drivers operating massive commercial trucks.
- A lack of enforcement of safety regulations that were already in place.
For the past four years, victims and their families have fought for justice—demanding that trucking companies and road operators be held accountable. Here we are again, facing the same dangerous conditions.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe In Hazardous Weather
If you must drive in hazardous weather:
- Check road conditions before heading out.
- Avoid high-speed roadways and toll roads.
- Keep a safe distance from 18-wheelers—they take much longer to stop.
- Report reckless trucking behavior to authorities.
Hit by an 18-wheeler? Know Your Rights and Legal Options
Trucking companies must follow federal regulations. When they don’t—and innocent lives are lost or forever changed—they can be held accountable.
At The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare, we’ve spent the years fighting for victims of trucking accidents, including those affected by the 2021 Fort Worth pile-up. We know the legal battles ahead, the evidence to secure and we’re here to fight for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t wait. Your fight for justice starts now.
