Commercial motor vehicle wrecks increased across Texas during the first half of 2026. From January 1 through June 30, 2026, Texas recorded 21,787 reported crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. During the same six-month period in 2025, Texas recorded 21,586 CMV crashes.
That represents an increase of 201 commercial vehicle wrecks, or approximately 0.9%.
The statewide increase may appear modest, but the city-level data reveals a more complicated trend. Commercial vehicle crashes declined in several major cities, including Dallas and Houston, while increasing significantly in many smaller cities, industrial corridors, and growing communities near major freight routes.
In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, some of the largest increases occurred in Northlake, Forest Hill, Waxahachie, Mesquite, Weatherford, and Richardson.
These numbers matter because serious truck wrecks do not happen only in the urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth. They also happen near warehouses, distribution centers, construction projects, intermodal facilities, rural highways, and fast-growing suburban communities.
The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle wrecks throughout Dallas–Fort Worth and across Texas. Learn more about how we investigate these cases on our Texas 18-wheeler wreck lawyer page.
Texas Recorded 21,787 CMV Wrecks in Early 2026
The statewide comparison covers crashes reported from January 1 through June 30 of each year:
First half of 2025: 21,586 CMV wrecks
First half of 2026: 21,787 CMV wrecks
Numerical increase: 201 wrecks
Percentage increase: Approximately 0.9%
The figures come from queries of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System. TxDOT explains that CRIS contains information collected from Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Reports, including crash dates, locations, road conditions, and vehicle classifications. More information is available through TxDOT’s crash-data and analysis resources.
These numbers count reported crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. They do not mean that every collision involved an 18-wheeler. The totals also do not establish how many people were injured, how many vehicles were involved, who caused a particular crash, or why crashes increased in a particular location.
Depending on the applicable classification, a commercial motor vehicle may include:
An 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer
A delivery truck or box truck
A dump truck
A flatbed truck
A tanker truck
A concrete truck
A tow truck
A bus or passenger-carrying commercial vehicle
A garbage or sanitation truck
Another vehicle classified as a commercial motor vehicle
For additional information about truck types, cargo bodies, carriers, and locations, read our analysis of Texas commercial motor vehicle wrecks in 2025.
Where Did the Most Texas CMV Wrecks Happen in 2026?
The largest number of Texas commercial vehicle crashes did not occur inside any single city. Instead, 6,918 CMV wrecks happened outside incorporated city limits.
That was an increase from 6,625 during the first half of 2025. The 293 additional crashes represent an increase of approximately 4.4%.
The Texas locations with the highest reported totals during the first half of 2026 were:
Outside city limits: 6,918 CMV wrecks
Houston: 1,821
San Antonio: 1,378
Dallas: 1,158
Fort Worth: 739
Laredo: 465
El Paso: 464
Austin: 192
Beaumont: 173
Pasadena: 161
Crashes outside city limits accounted for approximately 31.8% of all reported Texas CMV wrecks during the period.
The data does not prove why these crashes increased. Possible contributing factors could include changes in traffic volume, freight activity, construction, population growth, commercial development, travel patterns, or crash reporting. Additional evidence would be needed to determine the reasons for any particular trend.
Some of the Deadliest Texas Commercial Vehicle Wrecks of 2026 So Far
The number of reported crashes does not fully convey the human cost of commercial vehicle collisions. The following wrecks are among the deadliest reported in Texas during the first half of 2026.
Five Killed in Sabine Pass Van and Bus Collision
On May 18, 2026, five people ultimately died following a three-vehicle collision on State Highway 87 in Sabine Pass.
According to preliminary information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a Chevrolet Express work van was traveling northwest when it crossed into the opposing lane and collided with a Prevost passenger bus operated by Hotard. An Audi traveling behind the bus then struck the bus from the rear.
Four occupants of the van died at the scene. A fifth occupant, 21-year-old Caleb Burge, later died from his injuries. Six other people were reportedly injured.
The Hotard bus was reportedly empty except for its driver. Hotard transports workers to refineries, chemical plants, and liquefied-natural-gas facilities in the area. The DPS investigation remained ongoing when the reports were published.
Read the KFDM report about the Sabine Pass commercial vehicle collision and the later report confirming the fifth death.
Three Killed in Multi-Vehicle 18-Wheeler Wreck in Victoria
On January 17, 2026, three people died in a multi-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 59 North near Hill Road in Victoria.
According to preliminary information released by the Victoria Police Department, a truck-tractor towing a semi-trailer was traveling north when it struck a silver Toyota Sequoia. Those vehicles subsequently collided with three additional vehicles, including another Freightliner.
The three occupants of the Toyota—Robert Barrera, Roxana Ybarra, and Marcus Ybarra, all from Robstown—were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other people were reportedly taken to a hospital with undetermined injuries.
The crash demonstrates how an initial impact involving an 18-wheeler can produce a chain reaction affecting several vehicles and families. Authorities continued investigating the collision, and the preliminary account should not be treated as a final determination of legal responsibility.
Read the Victoria Police Department’s update concerning the fatal U.S. 59 collision.
Three Killed After Freightliner Crossed Highway 6 Median in Grimes County
On January 22, 2026, three people died in a collision involving an 18-wheeler on State Highway 6 near the Grimes-Waller County line.
According to DPS, a 2020 Freightliner traveling north crossed the center median and struck a southbound 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at approximately 12:45 p.m. The Hyundai’s driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after being transported to a hospital.
DPS identified the victims as 45-year-old Charles Ortega, 46-year-old Travis Morehead, and 21-year-old Ryan Morehead, all from Hempstead. The investigation remained ongoing when the information was released.
Read the KBTX report about the fatal Grimes County 18-wheeler collision.
What These Fatal Commercial Vehicle Wrecks Show
These three collisions resulted in 11 deaths. They involved different types of commercial vehicles and different collision sequences:
A passenger van crossing into the path of a commercial bus;
A truck-tractor and semi-trailer striking an SUV and triggering a multi-vehicle collision; and
An 18-wheeler crossing a highway median and striking an oncoming passenger vehicle.
Each wreck requires an investigation based on its own evidence. Investigators may examine driver conduct, vehicle condition, electronic data, maintenance records, company policies, road design, weather conditions, surveillance footage, and other contributing factors. News reports contain preliminary information and do not necessarily establish civil liability.
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Texas Cities With the Biggest Numerical Increases in CMV Wrecks
Among incorporated Texas cities, Pasadena reported the largest numerical increase in commercial motor vehicle wrecks.
The cities with the largest increases were:
Pasadena: Increased from 115 wrecks in 2025 to 161 in 2026. That was an increase of 46 wrecks, or 40%.
Waco: Increased from 65 to 106. That was an increase of 41 wrecks, or approximately 63.1%.
La Porte: Increased from 76 to 108. That was an increase of 32 wrecks, or approximately 42.1%.
Mesquite: Increased from 80 to 108. That was an increase of 28 wrecks, or 35%.
Forest Hill: Increased from 34 to 60. That was an increase of 26 wrecks, or approximately 76.5%.
Lufkin: Increased from 40 to 65. That was an increase of 25 wrecks, or 62.5%.
Northlake: Increased from 15 to 38. That was an increase of 23 wrecks, or approximately 153.3%.
San Marcos: Increased from 48 to 68. That was an increase of 20 wrecks, or approximately 41.7%.
Corsicana: Increased from 18 to 37. That was an increase of 19 wrecks, or approximately 105.6%.
Waxahachie: Increased from 36 to 54. That was an increase of 18 wrecks, or 50%.
Rosenberg: Increased from 24 to 42. That was also an increase of 18 wrecks, or 75%.
Raw totals help identify where the largest number of additional wrecks occurred. Percentage changes can provide a different perspective, particularly in smaller cities.
Texas Cities With the Largest Percentage Increases
Percentage changes can be misleading when a city begins with only one or two reported crashes. For a more meaningful comparison, the following ranking includes cities that had at least 10 CMV wrecks during the first half of 2025.
1. Northlake: 153.3% increase
Northlake’s reported CMV wreck total rose from 15 to 38. That represents 23 additional crashes and the largest percentage increase among qualifying Texas cities.
2. Corsicana: 105.6% increase
Corsicana increased from 18 CMV wrecks to 37, producing 19 additional reported crashes.
3. Buda: 92.9% increase
Buda’s total rose from 14 to 27, an increase of 13 crashes.
4. Socorro: 86.7% increase
Socorro increased from 15 CMV wrecks to 28, also adding 13 crashes.
5. Mount Pleasant: 80% increase
Mount Pleasant increased from 20 reported CMV wrecks to 36, adding 16 crashes.
6. Forest Hill: 76.5% increase
Forest Hill’s total increased from 34 to 60, representing 26 additional commercial vehicle wrecks.
7. Rosenberg: 75% increase
Rosenberg increased from 24 crashes to 42, adding 18 reported CMV wrecks.
8. Waco: 63.1% increase
Waco increased from 65 to 106 CMV wrecks. Its 41 additional crashes represented the second-largest numerical increase among Texas cities.
9. Lufkin: 62.5% increase
Lufkin’s total rose from 40 wrecks to 65, an increase of 25 crashes.
10. Hidalgo: 53.1% increase
Hidalgo increased from 32 to 49 CMV wrecks, adding 17 crashes.
Other notable percentage increases included Waxahachie at 50%, La Porte at 42.1%, San Marcos at 41.7%, Pasadena at 40%, and Mesquite at 35%.
Among Texas cities with at least 50 CMV wrecks in the first half of 2025, Waco had the largest percentage increase.
DFW Cities With Notable Commercial Vehicle Crash Increases
The Dallas–Fort Worth numbers show that commercial vehicle crash trends were not uniform across North Texas.
Dallas reported 70 fewer CMV wrecks, declining from 1,228 during the first half of 2025 to 1,158 during the same period in 2026. Fort Worth remained almost unchanged, moving from 740 crashes to 739.
Several surrounding DFW communities, however, experienced substantial increases.
Mesquite added the most CMV wrecks among the listed DFW cities
Mesquite increased from 80 commercial vehicle crashes to 108. That represents 28 additional wrecks and a 35% increase.
Forest Hill increased by 76.5%
Forest Hill rose from 34 CMV crashes to 60. Its 26 additional wrecks represented one of the largest increases in North Texas.
Northlake increased by 153.3%
Northlake increased from 15 crashes to 38. Although its overall total remained lower than totals in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Mesquite, it experienced the largest percentage increase among DFW cities with at least 10 crashes in 2025.
Waxahachie increased by 50%
Waxahachie’s CMV wreck total rose from 36 to 54, an increase of 18 reported crashes.
Weatherford increased by 31.3%
Weatherford increased from 48 CMV wrecks to 63, adding 15 crashes.
Richardson increased by 33.3%
Richardson’s total increased from 30 to 40, adding 10 commercial vehicle wrecks.
Many of these communities are located near interstate highways, freight corridors, warehouses, distribution facilities, and expanding residential developments. Commercial traffic throughout North Texas frequently travels on:
Interstate 20
Interstate 30
Interstate 35E
Interstate 35W
Interstate 45
Interstate 635
U.S. Highway 67
U.S. Highway 75
U.S. Highway 287
U.S. Highway 380
State Highway 114
State Highway 121
President George Bush Turnpike
A city-level increase does not prove that a particular road, driver, or trucking company was unsafe. It simply identifies where more commercial vehicle crashes were reported during the comparison period.
Dallas Still Had the Third-Highest City Total in Texas
Although Dallas experienced a 5.7% decline, it still recorded 1,158 CMV wrecks during the first half of 2026.
Dallas had the third-highest city total in Texas, behind only Houston and San Antonio. On average, more than six CMV wrecks were reported in Dallas every day during the six-month period.
Dallas highways carry passenger vehicles alongside tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles, construction trucks, tankers, buses, and other commercial vehicles. Congestion, construction zones, frequent merging, short entrance ramps, and high-speed traffic can make collisions more severe when a truck driver or trucking company fails to operate safely.
People injured in the Dallas area can learn more about their options on our Dallas truck accident lawyer page.
What Causes Texas Truck Wrecks?
Statewide crash totals cannot identify what caused a particular collision. A detailed truck-wreck investigation may examine whether the accident involved:
Driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
Speeding or failure to control speed
Distracted driving
Following too closely
Unsafe lane changes
Failure to check mirrors or blind spots
Unsafe turns
Inadequate driver training
Drug or alcohol impairment
Defective brakes, tires, lights, or steering components
Missed inspections or maintenance
Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
Unsafe delivery schedules
Negligent hiring, supervision, or retention
Pressure imposed by a motor carrier, shipper, broker, or other company
Federal trucking regulations address driver qualifications, hours of service, inspections, maintenance, cargo securement, drug and alcohol testing, and other commercial operations. The applicable requirements depend on the truck, carrier, cargo, route, and circumstances of the collision. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides access to federal motor-carrier regulations and guidance.
Who May Be Responsible for a Texas Truck Accident?
A commercial truck case may involve more than the person driving the vehicle. Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties may include:
The commercial driver
The driver’s employer
The motor carrier
The owner of the truck or trailer
A maintenance or repair contractor
A company that loaded or secured the cargo
A shipper
A freight broker
A vehicle or component manufacturer
Another motorist who contributed to the crash
Identifying every involved business matters because commercial vehicle cases can involve multiple contracts, insurance policies, and corporate relationships. The company name displayed on the truck may not identify every party responsible for its operation.
Important Evidence After an 18-Wheeler Wreck
Trucking companies and insurance carriers may begin investigating immediately after a serious wreck. Certain electronic information can be overwritten, while documents and video may be discarded under routine retention policies.
Evidence that may need to be preserved includes:
Engine control module or “black box” data
Dash-camera and in-cab video
GPS and telematics information
Electronic logging device records
Driver qualification and training files
Dispatch communications
Cellphone records
Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
Maintenance and repair records
Cargo-loading and securement documents
Bills of lading and weight tickets
Drug and alcohol testing records
Nearby surveillance video
Scene and vehicle photographs
Physical vehicle evidence
Witness statements
An attorney may send preservation notices instructing trucking companies and other potentially responsible parties to retain relevant evidence. Our guide to evidence in Texas 18-wheeler cases explains why acting promptly can matter.
What Should You Do After a Texas Commercial Vehicle Wreck?
If you were injured in a collision involving an 18-wheeler, delivery truck, dump truck, bus, tanker, or other commercial vehicle:
Call 911. Report the collision and request emergency medical assistance when necessary.
Seek medical care. Some serious conditions, including concussions and internal injuries, may not produce immediate symptoms.
Photograph the scene if you can do so safely. Capture the vehicles, license plates, company names, USDOT numbers, cargo, debris, road conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
Obtain witness information. Independent witnesses may leave before the police complete their investigation.
Preserve your records. Keep photographs, medical paperwork, receipts, wage-loss documents, and communications from insurance companies.
Be cautious when speaking with an insurer. The trucking company’s insurance representatives generally work to protect the company and reduce its financial exposure.
Do not sign documents you do not understand. A broad medical authorization or release could affect your legal rights.
Contact a Texas truck wreck lawyer promptly. Early action may help preserve evidence and identify the companies and insurance policies involved.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the facts and Texas law, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation for:
Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Physical pain
Mental anguish
Physical impairment
Disfigurement
Property damage
Other accident-related losses
When a truck wreck causes a death, eligible family members may also have potential wrongful-death and survival claims.
The amount and type of compensation available depend on the injuries, evidence, insurance coverage, responsible parties, and other circumstances. Read more about damages after a Dallas 18-wheeler wreck.
Talk to a Dallas–Fort Worth and Texas Truck Wreck Lawyer
Whether a commercial vehicle wreck happened in Dallas, Fort Worth, Mesquite, Northlake, Waxahachie, Waco, Pasadena, or outside city limits, a serious truck-accident claim requires a careful investigation.
The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in truck and commercial vehicle wrecks throughout Dallas–Fort Worth and across Texas. We investigate the driver, motor carrier, vehicle, cargo, maintenance history, electronic evidence, and available insurance coverage to determine what happened and who may be legally responsible.
Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Truck Wrecks
Did commercial vehicle wrecks increase in Texas in 2026?
Yes. During the first half of 2026, Texas recorded 21,787 reported CMV wrecks, compared with 21,586 during the first half of 2025. That represents 201 additional crashes and an increase of approximately 0.9%.
Which Texas city had the largest increase in CMV wrecks?
Pasadena experienced the largest numerical city-level increase. Its total rose from 115 to 161, an increase of 46 wrecks or 40%.
Northlake had the largest percentage increase among cities with at least 10 crashes in 2025. Its total rose from 15 to 38, an increase of approximately 153.3%.
Which DFW cities experienced the largest increases?
Mesquite experienced the largest numerical increase among the DFW cities analyzed, adding 28 CMV wrecks. Northlake had the largest percentage increase, followed by Forest Hill and Waxahachie.
Did Dallas truck wrecks increase in 2026?
No. Dallas CMV wrecks declined from 1,228 during the first half of 2025 to 1,158 during the first half of 2026. Despite that decline, Dallas still had the third-highest city total in Texas.
Are CMV wrecks the same as 18-wheeler wrecks?
Not always. CMV data can include tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, buses, dump trucks, tankers, tow trucks, and other qualifying commercial vehicles. The totals should not be described as exclusively 18-wheeler crashes.
How long do I have to file a Texas truck-accident lawsuit?
Texas generally has a two-year limitations period for personal-injury and wrongful-death claims. However, exceptions and shorter notice requirements may apply, particularly when a governmental vehicle or public entity is involved. The deadline should be evaluated promptly based on the specific facts.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Crash totals may change if TxDOT receives new reports or updates existing records.
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Andrew J. Wooley
Personal Injury Attorney
Andrew J. Wooley is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Dallas, Texas. He focuses on helping accident victims recover fair compensation for their injuries. With a commitment to personalized service, Andrew works directly with each client to understand their unique situation and fight for their rights.
