?Gatorade-flooded roads and fires fueled by toilet paper sound more like unconfirmed small-town stories rather than realistic possibilities for an average person to witness. But these somewhat absurd and obscure occurrences are all too real hazards that face Houston communities when tractor trailers crash. When these massive 18-wheelers crash, they often lose their cargo – which can cause floods and fires fueled by nothing more than common consumer goods in massive quantities.
Gatorade Spill Causes a Sticky Situation
This past March, a tractor-trailer carrying 40,000 pounds of the popular sports drink Gatorade accidentally ran off the road in the town of Willis. After losing control of the 18-wheeler he was operating, the driver went through the median dividing oncoming traffic and up an incline before it rolled over and came to a stop. There were no injuries from this accident, save for a few cuts and bruises suffered by the driver, but the truck’s cargo spilled everywhere. The cleanup caused long delays not to mention hazardous driving conditions on I-45 that lasted for hours.
Toilet Paper Catches Fire After Truck Accident
Less than two weeks after a tractor-trailer crash dumped tons of Gatorade the town of Willis, an 18-wheeler carrying toilet paper crashed in Dallas County. The truck burst into flames, and as soon as the fire reached the cargo area the toilet paper lit up like a match. There were no injuries, and both the driver and his dog were able to escape unharmed. But the accident and fire that followed forced all westbound lanes of 1-20 to close as crews worked tirelessly to clean up the mess.
Texas Drivers at Higher Risk of 18-Wheeler Accidents
These accidents grabbed headlines across the State of Texas this past spring, but fortunately nobody was seriously injured or killed as a result of the hazards they created. But the same cannot be said for thousands of other people involved in truck accidents in Texas each year.
Texas has some of the most dangerous roads in the country, and thousands of people die in accidents with tractor-trailers every year. Even more are left with life-changing injuries. This is just as true in Houston as it is across the state, which averages nearly two deaths from 18-wheeler accidents every day. If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident with a tractor-trailer, you should contact a lawyer immediately. Our skilled attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas can help you make sense of your case and win the damages you deserve after an accident. Contact today for a free initial consultation – we are more than happy to take the time to discuss your potential recovery.
