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“Swangas,” also known as “tire slabs” or “wheel elbows” are oversized, protruding rims most commonly associated with Houston’s slab car culture. These rims extend well beyond the vehicle’s wheel well, sometimes by several inches on each side. On the road, they can make other drivers nervous when they extend to fill an entire lane – and you may have wondered: “What happens if one of those cars causes a crash?”
Are Swangas Legal in Houston?
Let’s start with the most basic question: are swangas even legal? Texas law does not explicitly ban swangas by name, but vehicle modifications are regulated by safety and equipment standards. According to the Texas Transportation Code, passenger vehicles must not exceed 8.5 feet (102 inches) in width.
Additionally, vehicles may not be operated if they are unsafe or if equipment creates a hazard to other roadway users. Law enforcement officers have discretion to stop or cite drivers if rims:
- Pose a danger to other vehicles or pedestrians
- Violate general safety or equipment provisions
- Contribute to reckless or unsafe operation
In Houston, enforcement is often complaint driven or incident driven. Swangas may be tolerated until they are involved in an accident or traffic stop.
Why are Swangas So Dangerous?
Swangas alter the width and effective footprint of a vehicle, sometimes drastically. Unlike factory wheels, they can extend into adjacent lanes or narrow traffic spaces without obvious visual cues, especially at night or in congested areas.
Common hazards include:
- Reduced clearance in traffic lanes
- Increased risk of side-swipe or mirror-to-rim contact
- Greater danger during lane changes or turns
- Elevated risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists
- Unexpected contact in parking lots or at low speeds
When contact occurs, the rigid metal extension can cause damage or loss of control far more quickly than standard wheel contact. Losing control of one’s vehicle, especially at high speeds, mean rollover accidents are more likely – and that could mean broken bones, spine injuries, or severe internal damage.
So What Happens if I Hit Another Car’s Swangas?
If your vehicle strikes a swanga rim, you may not automatically be placed at fault.
Initial liability will come down to how tolerant the responding officer is for the vehicle modifications. The officer may consider:
- Did the swangas protrude into your lane of travel?
- Was the swanga-equipped vehicle improperly positioned or drifting?
- Did the rims exceed safe or reasonable width?
- Was the contact avoidable under normal driving conditions?
If the rims created an unreasonable hazard or extended into your lane, the swanga vehicle’s owner may bear partial or full responsibility, even if initial contact was made by your vehicle.
Insurance carriers frequently argue that the striking driver was not maintaining proper clearance. However, this argument weakens when the modified vehicle encroaches into another lane or space where normal clearance would be expected.
Comparative Fault Under Texas Law
Texas follows a modified comparative fault system. In the event of an accident involving swangas, responsibility could be divided between parties based on their percentage of fault.
For example:
- A swanga vehicle may be found 70 percent at fault for unsafe equipment
- The other driver may be found 30 percent at fault for failure to react
As long as an injured party is not more than 50 percent responsible, they may still recover damages, reduced by their share of fault.
Houston Lawyers for Car Accident Injuries
Houston’s dense traffic, narrow lanes, and frequent stop-and-go driving increase the risk associated with extended rims. Swangas that may appear manageable at low speeds can become hazardous on I-10, I-45, US-59, or surface streets with tight lane spacing. Juries and adjusters in Houston are generally familiar with slab culture, but this does not mean immunity from liability. Cultural acceptance does not override safety obligations under Texas law. Accidents involving swangas can be seriously devastating and heavily disputed. Early documentation and legal analysis often determine whether a claim succeeds or fails.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a car, truck, or commercial vehicle crash, call The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian today. Attorney Hilda Sibrian has over 22 years of experience representing clients that have suffered major injuries like broken bones, whiplash, or wrongful death. Hilda Sibrian serves the Houston metropolitan area, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, La Porte, Beaumont, Pasadena, The Woodlands, The Heights, Bellaire, Kingwood, Baytown and of course Houston proper. Call our office today at 713-714-1414 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
