Texas 18-Wheeler and Charter Bus Accident Injures Passengers
Passengers of a charter bus suffered injuries when the bus collided with an 18-wheeler in an accident on Interstate 10 near Winnie, Texas. However, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) believes that more injuries were avoided due to cable barriers in the median that prevented the vehicles from crossing over into other lanes.
Early in March the charter bus was headed to Boston after a trip to the Coushatta Casino in Louisiana. While traveling down Interstate 10 the tractor trailer clipped the back of the bus. Some of the 48 passengers aboard the bus suffered minor injuries in the crash. 
According to TxDOT officers at the scene, the presence of cable barriers prevented the bus and the truck from crossing over onto the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 after the crash. If the two vehicles had indeed crossed over into the eastbound lanes they would have, most likely, collided with other vehicles, increasing the number of and severity of injuries.
The cable barriers were so effective in minimizing the number of injuries in this crash that TxDOT officers are looking into expanding cable barrier use across southeast Texas. The Department may expand the cable system for another 18 miles, from Winnie to Beaumont. Officers are looking at installing cable barriers at other high risk areas, like the stretch near the Goodyear plant, which has seen a number of serious accidents, many of them involving 18-wheelers. The cable system from Winnie to Beaumont is expected to be installed over the next 6 months.
Dangerous Highways can Cause 18-Wheeler Accidents
Cable barriers can ensure that even large vehicles like 18-wheelers stay within their lanes after an accident. This can prevent multi-vehicle wrecks and minimize the number of injuries and fatalities during truck accidents. Cable barriers are especially necessary on heavy traffic highways where 18-wheeler accidents can end up causing multi-vehicle pileups. It is the responsibility of state authorities to ensure that such cable barriers are installed to reduce the risk of fatalities and prevent serious injuries in the event of an accident. Failure to maintain a highway can place state agencies at fault in 18-wheeler accidents. These agencies can be named in any truck injury lawsuit filed by an 18-wheeler accident lawyer after a crash.
If you've been injured or lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident, contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free evaluation of your case.
