Undefeated Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers
In 2025, at least 295 large trucks with a U.S. DOT number were involved in crashes in Ector County — collisions that claimed 8 lives and injured more than 100 people. And those are only the legally registered trucks. In Odessa’s nonstop oilfield economy, the real number is almost certainly higher, driven by companies cutting corners, rushing jobs, and putting unqualified or exhausted drivers behind the wheel.
With Billions recovered for injured Texans, our undefeated odessa truck accident lawyers have seen firsthand how devastating these crashes are for West Texas families. That’s why we move faster and work harder than our opponents — no matter how big or powerful the company on the other side. Our mission is simple: hold every negligent trucking and energy corporation fully accountable and secure the justice and maximum compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives. And we refuse to back down until we recover the record-breaking verdicts and settlements you deserve.
Here’s what our team uncovered about truck crashes in Odessa in 2025 — and how we can protect your rights and secure your future if you’ve been hurt on local roads or oilfield routes.
Alarming Truck Crash Trends in Odessa & Ector County in 2025
Here are the most alarming findings we uncovered from TxDOT’s Crash Records Information Systems (CRIS) database. This dataset includes only crashes involving trucking carriers with registered USDOT numbers, which includes most commercial trucks operating in Texas.
Because the state has not yet finalized its 2025 data, these numbers reflect only the minimum impact. Once the full reports are released, the true toll on Odessa drivers will almost certainly be even higher.
1. Odessa’s Roadways Saw the Highest Truck Volume in Texas
Trucks make up more than 30% of all vehicles on Odessa’s busiest roadways — meaning roughly 1 out of every 3 vehicles is a large truck.
By comparison, even the most truck-heavy segments in Houston or Dallas typically average 18–20% truck traffic, or about 1 out of every 5 vehicles.
While Odessa’s truck share dipped slightly from 2024 (when it approached 37%), it remains one of the highest truck densities in Texas, putting drivers at a far greater risk of encountering — and colliding with — large commercial vehicles on any given trip.
2. Odessa Drivers Faced a Higher Risk of Truck Crashes Than Almost Anywhere Else
Ector County saw 50 fewer large truck crashes in 2025 compared to 2024, a drop that tracks with the county’s overall decline of 476 total crashes. Despite the dip, 18-wheeler accidents made up 7% of all crashes — one of the highest proportions in Texas and the same high percentage as last year.
For comparison, large trucks accounted for only 6% of crashes in Dallas and 3% in Houston, underscoring just how disproportionately common serious truck accidents are on Odessa roadways.
Only nearby oilfield truck hotbeds like Reeves County — where more than a quarter of all crashes involve large trucks — see consistently higher percentages than Odessa.
3. Truck Accident Fatalities and Injuries Increased in 2025
Despite Ector County seeing fewer total truck accidents in 2025 (294 crashes) compared to 2024 (343 crashes) the human impact continued to worsen over last year:
- Fatalities: 8 lives lost in 2025, up from 6 in 2024
- Injuries: At least 113 people injured, up from 101 the previous year
- Severe injuries: 8 suspected serious injuries reported, down from 19 in 2024, though many reports include missing or incomplete data
What this tells us: Even with a slight drop in total crashes, truck accidents remain highly dangerous, particularly on local oilfield routes and high-density truck corridors.
The rising injuries and fatalities show us that some companies continue to put people at risk to protect profits—hiring inexperienced drivers to fill chronic shortages, ignoring federal and state safety rules meant to keep fatigued drivers off the road, and fostering a culture that covers up unsafe behavior rather than holding employees accountable.
4. Odessa’s Oilfield Routes Were Deadlier Than the Interstate
While Interstate 20 carries the highest number of truck accidents in Ector County, it primarily serves long-haul traffic crossing the state or nation. Many of these crashes, though frequent, are less often fatal.
In contrast, smaller highways and local oilfield routes — heavily used by trucks hauling materials, equipment, and crude between wells, processing facilities, and storage sites — account for the majority of fatal truck accidents in Odessa:
- Loop 338: 2 fatalities
- FM 866: 2 fatalities
- US-385: 1 fatality
- FM 181: 1 fatality
- State Highway 302: 1 fatality
- Highway 158: 1 fatality
The combination of high local truck density, frequent stops, narrow lanes, and challenging intersections on these oilfield routes creates a deadlier environment than the wide, high-speed lanes of I-20. Many of these roadways were never designed to handle the growing volume of traffic from seasonal oilfield workers, adding congestion and increasing the risk of collisions for everyone.
Unfortunately, when trucks do collide here, the consequences are often far more severe, which explains why a quarter of all fatal truck accidents in Texas occur near an oil field.
5. Speeding Was the Most Common Factor in Odessa Truck Crashes
There were 31 speed-related crashes in Ector County in 2025, making it the most common contributing factor in truck accidents. In many cases, speeding isn’t just driver negligence — it reflects the immense pressure trucking companies place on drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines and tight timelines.
On Odessa’s oilfield routes, where the work never stops, drivers are often rushing from site to site, hauling crude, equipment, or materials under intense time constraints. This constant push to complete “rush jobs” creates a dangerously high-risk environment.
Other frequent factors in truck crashes included distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and ignoring traffic signals, all of which can be exacerbated by high-speed pressure and long work hours.
6. Intersections and Work Zones Saw Nearly 150 Truck Crashes
Odessa’s intersections and active construction work zones continued to be major crash locations, accounting for roughly 150 truck-involved incidents combined.
Texas has one of the highest rates of work zone crashes involving large trucks in the nation. Large trucks and 18-wheelers have limited maneuverability and big blind spots, both of which make operating in work zones far more challenging.
However, it’s our experience that inexperienced drivers often have even more trouble navigating high conflict points or changing traffic patterns, especially in areas that are already unfamiliar to them.
What To Do If You Were Injured in an Odessa Truck Accident
After a serious truck accident, going up against billion-dollar trucking or oilfield companies can feel impossible. These corporations are quick to deny fault, minimize injuries, and shift blame — all while their legal teams work around the clock to protect their bottom line.
Act quickly to protect your rights:
- Call 911 and request medical care immediately.
- Move your vehicle to a safe location if possible.
- Render aid to others if necessary.
- Exchange contact information with the other driver.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Document the scene and your injuries thoroughly.
Most importantly, contact an experienced odessa 18 wheeler accident attorney as soon as possible. If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck or 18-wheeler crash in Odessa, you deserve a legal team with a proven track record against the largest companies in the world.
At Zehl & Associates, we prepare every case for trial, refuse to settle for less than full value, and fight to ensure clients in Ector County receive maximum compensation. With Billions recovered for victims across Texas, our Odessa truck accident lawyers are undefeated — for good reason.
How Our Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers Secured Justice After a Highway 115 Crash
Garry was hit by a reckless oilfield truck on Highway 115 near Kermit, shattering his knee in more than 35 places. Alone and badly injured, he crawled to a barbed-wire fence just to call for help.
He chose Zehl & Associates because of our record-setting results and reputation for holding the biggest trucking companies in the world fully accountable.
Our Midland-Odessa truck accident lawyers got to work immediately:
- Connecting Garry with top orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists
- Providing continuous support for him and his family
- Securing a record-setting settlement that changed his life
“My settlement was far more than I ever expected,” Garry says. “Not only that, my daughters’ futures are now secure.”
At Zehl & Associates, you’re never just a case number — you’re family. From the moment you hire us, we do whatever it takes to protect your future and secure the justice you deserve.
With decades of West Texas trial experience, deep knowledge of trucking and oilfield operations, and a consistent history of record-breaking verdicts and settlements against some of the biggest companies in the world, we are the legal team trucking corporations fear — and we’re here for you every step of the way.
You Deserve the Best Odessa Truck Accident Attorneys on Your Side: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Don’t let trucking companies or insurance carriers minimize your injuries or deny your rightful recovery. At Zehl & Associates, we don’t settle for less — and neither should you. We have the resources and experience to take on the largest companies in the world and not just win, but set records. Our recent victories include the #1 Largest Truck Accident Verdict in Texas. and the #1 Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas.
If you or a loved one were injured by a big rig in Odessa or Ector County, call us now at 1-888-603-3636 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
We’ll answer your questions, explain your options, and provide you with the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.
You’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.