Midland 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyers

Midland 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyers – We’re Undefeated

Permian Basin oilfields have reshaped the economies of Midland, bringing thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars to the region. Unfortunately, the heavy truck traffic that has accompanied the oil boom has also transformed West Texas roads into some of the most dangerous highways in Texas.

From inexperienced and fatigued drivers to truckers operating under the influence of drugs and alcohol, too many trucking and oilfield companies look the other way when an unfit or unqualified driver gets behind the wheel of a fully loaded, 80,000lb semi-truck – often with catastrophic results.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident in Midland, contact our Midland Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation.

Table of Contents

• Midland Lead Permian Basin in Fatal Truck and 18 Wheeler Accidents
• Causes of Midland Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents
• Common Truck Accident Injuries
• Liability In Midland Truck Accidents
• How Oil and Trucking Companies Try to Avoid Responsibility
• What to Do After a Midland Truck Accident
• How a Midland Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
• Midland Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident FAQs

Our Midland Truck Accident Lawyers Don’t Just Win. We Set Records

In addition to having an undefeated record against the biggest trucking companies in the country, our Midland Truck Accident Lawyers have won Billions for our clients and consistently recovered the #1 largest verdicts and settlements in history for truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across the state of Texas:

• $35 Million Truck Accident Settlement (2025)
• The #1 Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas
• The #1 Largest Accident Verdict in Texas
• $37.5 Million Truck Accident Verdict (2024)
• $32 Million Settlement In Odessa Oilfield Truck Accident
• $20 Million Settlement in Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash
• $23.5 Million Settlement for Truck Accident Victim
• 2 of the Largest Truck Accident Settlements in Texas

The record-setting results that we’ve achieved for Midland Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident victims have distinguished our firm as one of the Best Personal Injury Law Firms in the United States and provided our clients with the best medical care and the financial resources to care for themselves and their families for the rest of their lives.

Our reputation for winning Record-Setting Recoveries, along with our unparalleled commitment to our clients, are just two of the many reasons why truck and 18-wheeler accident victims across Midland, Odessa, Pecos and the Permian Basin turn to our Undefeated Midland Truck Accident Lawyers after being injured or tragically killed in commercial truck and 18-wheeler accidents.

If you or a loved one was injured or tragically killed because of a reckless trucker or negligent trucking company, our Midland 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers will commit whatever resources and time are necessary to hold the trucking company and its driver accountable and ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible for all of your injuries and losses.

Call 1-888-603-3636, click the “live chat” button, or send us a confidential email through our Contact Form by Clicking Here.

All consultations are free—and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.

Our Midland personal injury lawyers are here to help you get your life back on track. Give us a call today!

#1 Largest Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Recoveries in Texas

Having repeatedly recovered the #1 Largest Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts in Texas, our Truck Accident Lawyers have the experience, resources and skills to stand up against the largest trucking, transportation, and oilfield companies in the world and not only win for our clients, but set records.

What Truck Accident Victims Say About Working with our Midland Truck Accident Lawyers

See what 18 wheeler accident victims say about working with our Midland accident lawyers by watching the video below or visiting our client testimonial page.

Midland Leads Permian Basin in Fatal Truck and 18 Wheeler Accidents

Given that the Permian Basin is one of the most active oilfield economies in the country, it’s not surprising that 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks are a constant presence on Midland’s roads.  As a result, the number of severe and fatal truck accidents has been steadily rising across Midland County, increasing from 354 in 2021 to 428 in 2022, and reaching 520 in 2023. 

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the 520 truck and 18-wheeler accidents reported in 2023 included:

• 9 fatal crashes, resulting in 9 deaths
• 26 crashes involving 29 serious injuries
• 46 crashes that caused 55 minor injuries
• 39 crashes leading to 55 possible injuries
• 395 non-injury crashes involving 1,025 people
• 5 crashes with 49 unknown-severity injuries

While commercial truck crashes were reported in all 17 Permian Basin Counties in 2024,  Midland County fared the worst, recording 502 trucking-related accidents that year, including 12 fatal crashes that resulted in 13 deaths. 

Why have Midland’s roads become so dangerous? For one thing, the constant movement of oilfield equipment, drilling supplies, water, sand, and hazardous materials puts thousands of commercial trucks on the region’s roadways every day, often on rural highways and two-lane roads not built for heavy traffic. Many of these truck drivers operate under intense pressure to meet deadlines, leading to fatigued driving, speeding, and overloaded or improperly maintained vehicles. 

Even though oilfield truckers in Midland and throughout West Texas can now command six-figure wages, oil and gas companies are also finding it increasingly difficult to hire experienced drivers. As a result, many of the “new” truckers operating in West Texas are young and lack the skills to safely operate their rigs along Midland’s challenging roads and highways.

Causes of Midland Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents

Having successfully represented thousands of truck and 18-wheeler accident victims throughout Texas and the United States, we’ve seen that most commercial trucking accidents are entirely prevented and typically result from the failure of the trucking company or its drivers to comply with critical safety regulations and federal laws  developed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. 

Driver Fatigue

Long shifts and demanding schedules in the oil and gas industry often force truck drivers in Midland to drive fatigued without sufficient rest. In fact, while Texas and Federal Hours of Service laws only allow truck drivers to drive a total of 11 hours after spending 10 hours “off-duty,” it’s not uncommon for Permian Basin drivers to work 15 to 20-hour days for weeks at a time. Fatigue impairs a trucker’s cognitive abilities, leading to decreased concentration, slower reaction times, and an increased likelihood of making critical errors on the road.

Inexperienced Truckers

The lack of seasoned drivers is a serious problem throughout the trucking industry, but it is particularly acute in the oil and gas industry, where it’s estimated that between 20% and 25% of all tanker trucks are not currently being utilized because of a lack of qualified drivers. The energy market can be highly volatile, so drillers are desperate to keep their fields operating 24/7 to extract as much oil and gas as possible before prices drop. As a result, many companies are all too willing to handle drivers without enough experience to handle a big rig, especially on the narrow, rural roads that serve the oilfields around Midland.

Distracted Driving

Distraction is a factor in 70% of all commercial trucking accidents. While texting is a leading culprit, anything that takes their attention from the road – even for a split second – can diminish a trucker’s perception, judgment, and ability to avoid a crash.

Driver Impairment

Addiction has become a problem among oil and gas workers in the Permian Basin. Tuck drivers, in particular, often turn to illicit drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamines, to manage the brutally long hours that have become standard practice in the oilfields around Midland. Driving while impaired is always dangerous, but the significantly large size and weight of a semi-truck or other big rig dramatically increases the likelihood that any crash, whether caused by an impaired driver or not, will result in catastrophic injuries and deaths.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Due to constant use, infrequent inspections, and poor road conditions, the trucks and 18-wheelers traveling throughout the Midland regions experience much more wear and tear and require frequent service and maintenance. Since taking a truck out of service costs the oil company time and money, the trucks end up staying on the road with safety and mechanical hazards that violate Texas and federal safety laws.

Poor Road Conditions 

The rural roads in the Permian Basin weren’t designed to handle the heavy truck traffic that has accompanied the oil boom. One road in particular – U.S. Route 285 – is now used by over 10,000 trucks and 18-wheelers serving the oilfields on a daily basis. The surge in traffic has correlated with a spike in serious and fatal truck crashes, making it the most dangerous road in Texas and prompting some locals to dub the once sleepy thoroughfare “Death Highway.”

Common Midland Truck Accident Injuries

Because 18-wheelers and other big rigs generate so much force in a crash, they tend to inflict tremendous damage on any smaller vehicle that crosses their path. As a result, the occupants of passenger vehicles are far more likely to suffer severe and fatal injuries in a collision with a large commercial truck.

• Back and Neck Injuries: The impact of a truck accident can cause rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, resulting in back and neck injuries. While many people mistakenly believe these injuries are minor, they can have long-lasting effects, leading to chronic pain, restricted mobility, and a diminished quality of life for the victims.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries sustained in an 18-wheeler crash may lead to herniated discs or paralysis, affecting a victim’s ability to perform daily activities and requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs):  Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild concussions to severe and life-altering conditions. Victims may experience cognitive impairment, memory loss, and changes in behavior, necessitating ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Truck accident victims who suffer painful fractures may require surgical intervention and will likely need prolonged rehabilitation. Depending on the severity, they may have to endure long-term disabilities that negatively impact their ability to work and maintain a normal life.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a truck accident can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs like the bladder, liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and may necessitate emergency medical intervention, surgeries, and extended periods of recovery. However, they’re not always immediately apparent, underscoring the importance of seeking immediate medical care after any crash involving an 18-wheeler or other large truck.
• Burns: In any truck accident, there is a heightened risk of fires and explosions, especially if the rig is transporting flammable materials. Severe and disfiguring burn injuries can result from exposure to flames, hot surfaces, or chemicals and may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, skin grafts and ongoing rehabilitation.
• Amputation: crush injuries and other traumatic injuries can cause the immediate loss of a limb in a truck accident. The loss of blood flow, severe orthopedic damage, and certain post-accident medical complications can also result in the need for surgical amputation.

Liability in a Midland Truck Accident

Establishing liability in a Midland truck accident isn’t always straightforward. In many cases, the driver may be just one part of a larger system of companies and contractors involved in operating and maintaining the truck.

Depending on the circumstances of a crash, any of the following individuals or entities could be at fault:

• Truck Drivers: A driver may be liable if they were speeding, driving under the influence, fatigued, or distracted at the time of the crash. Drivers who violate hours-of-service regulations or ignore required rest periods can be held accountable.
• Trucking Companies: Employers may be liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. They may also bear responsibility if the accident resulted from poor maintenance, overloaded cargo, or violations of federal trucking regulations.
• Oilfield Operators and Contractors: In West Texas, many truck accidents involve vehicles hauling equipment or hazardous materials to and from oilfield sites. If a contractor failed to secure a load or pressured a driver to meet an unrealistic schedule, they could share liability.
• Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Companies: If a mechanical failure—like a blown tire or brake malfunction—caused the crash, the manufacturer of the defective part or the company responsible for maintenance might be held liable.
• Third-Party Brokers or Shippers: Some companies use logistics brokers to arrange freight transport. If a broker failed to properly vet the carrier or contributed to unsafe conditions, they may be legally responsible.

In truck accident cases, the question of fault can become highly contested, especially when commercial insurers and defense lawyers try to shift blame onto the injured party. They might argue you made an unsafe lane change, failed to yield, or contributed in some way to the crash. That’s why clear documentation, credible expert testimony, and prompt investigation are key to minimizing any unfair allocation of blame.

Trucking Companies Will Do Everything Possible to Avoid Responsibility

There are few industries where “profits over safety” is more pronounced than in oilfield and trucking.  The more serious the accident, the harder the companies and their lawyers will fight and delay.  From “losing” critical evidence from the truck’s ECM (Black Box) to destroying the driver’s logbooks, there’s little the companies won’t do to avoid paying you and your family the damages you deserve.

Many companies, for example, train drivers to blame the accident victim at the scene, even when it’s clear that their own actions caused the crash. When the accident victim is injured and unable to talk to the investigating officer at the scene, the police report may be wrong, because the investigating officer blamed the accident victim when the truck driver was actually at fault.

Trucking companies are also notorious for destroying or losing driving logs, training records, and other important evidence in an effort to prevent crash victims from proving that the trucking company and their drivers were at fault.

It’s not uncommon for accident victims to receive calls from the trucking company’s “claims adjuster” after the crash, hoping to convince you to take a settlement offer before you realize the full extent of your injuries and real value of your case.  No matter what they say, remember that their only goal is to save money by paying you and your family substantially less than your case is worth.

What to Do After a Midland Truck Accident

After a Midland truck or 18-wheeler accident,  it’s been our experience the trucking company involved and their insurers will immediately take steps to deny responsibility for the crash and avoid paying those who’ve been injured all that they’re owed—even if that means losing or destroying critical evidence and blaming the victims themselves, despite clear evidence they and their driver were at fault.

That’s why it’s so critical to act as quickly if you or a loved one were hurt in a Midland truck crash.

Report the Accident to Law Enforcement

In Texas, accidents involving injury, death, or significant vehicle damage must be reported to police. Law enforcement will typically file a crash report, which can serve as an important piece of evidence when determining fault and liability.

Gather Evidence If You Can

If you’re physically able, take photos or video at the scene. Include damage to all vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, nearby signage, and any injuries. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. Truck accident scenes change quickly, and firsthand documentation can make a difference if you intend to pursue compensation later.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you initially feel fine, it’s important to get checked out. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal trauma, may not show symptoms right away, and even the adrenal rush that follows such a traumatic event can mask others. Heading to the nearest ER or urgent care will ensure any injuries you did sustain are promptly treated and provide the documentation needed to prove they resulted from the crash.

Don’t Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjusters

Insurance companies often reach out quickly after a crash, sometimes within hours. Their goal is to minimize the payout, and they may use your words against you. You’re under no obligation to speak with them, provide a recorded statement, or sign anything, and it’s in your best interest not to do so until you’ve consulted a lawyer.

Adhere to Your Treatment Plan

Closely following your doctor’s medical advice is crucial to your physical recovery and will prevent the trucking company and its insurance provider from minimizing the extent of your injuries. To support your case, it’s also wise to keep a detailed record of all your medical treatments, expenses, and any communication linked to the accident. This log should include appointments, therapies, medications, and any out-of-pocket costs you’ve incurred. 

Don’t Discuss the Accident or Your Injuries

Avoid discussing the accident with anyone other than your attorney, and steer clear of posting about it on social media. Even innocent remarks can be twisted and used against you. The trucking company, along with its insurance provider and legal representatives, is likely keeping an eye on your social media for any content they can leverage to challenge your claim.

An Experienced Midland Truck Accident Lawyer Makes the Difference between a $75,000 and a $7,500,000 Recovery

After a serious truck accident, it may be tempting to try to handle things on your own—especially when medical bills and lost income are piling up. But going it alone can come at a steep cost.

No matter what they might say or promise, trucking companies and their insurers have one goal: to limit what they pay.  The slightest mistake on your part could have serious consequences for your case, resulting in a significantly reduced financial recovery or even no recovery at all.

Without someone on your side who knows how to fight back, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, misled, or pressured into accepting a low-ball offer. An experienced truck accident attorney in Midland can prevent these types of mistakes and safeguard your right to full and fair compensation. In fact, according to a study conducted by the Insurance Research Council, crash victims who hire a lawyer recover, on average, 3.5 times more in compensation than those who don’t..

How a Midland Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our firm remains undefeated against the biggest trucking companies and insurance carriers in the world, and we have the resources and experience to counter these tactics and ensure our clients are able to obtain the maximum compensation possible for all of their injuries and losses.

So what will our Midland truck accident lawyers do for you?

Preserve Evidence Before It’s Lost or Destroyed

Critical evidence like electronic logging device (ELD) data and dashcam footage can be legally destroyed within weeks of an accident. Our attorneys know what evidence to look for, how to find it, and how to ensure it’s preserved before anything has a chance to disappear.

Conduct a Thorough Investigation

Commercial trucking companies are required to follow state and federal safety regulations. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough analysis of driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, dispatch logs, and more to determine if safety violations contributed to the crash.

Identify All Liable Parties

In many cases, more than one party can be held responsible. The truck driver, the company that owns the truck, a subcontractor in charge of maintenance, or a third-party broker may all share liability. We’ll work with top top accident reconstruction experts to determine precisely how the crash occurred and who was at fault.

Calculate Long-Term Damages

Serious injuries often lead to long-term medical needs, loss of future earnings, and changes to daily life. We work with leading medical and financial experts to accurately estimate the true cost of the accident, going beyond your immediate medical bills and lost wages, to ensure you and your family are fully compensated for all of your economic and non-economic losses.

Obtain the Maximum Compensation Possible through Settlement or Trial

Our Midland accident attorneys will handle all negotiations and communicate with insurers, so you can focus on your physical recovery. We never accept a settlement offer unless it provides our clients with the maximum compensation possible for all their injuries and losses. If the trucking company and its insurer refuse to negotiate in good faith, we won’t hesitate to go to trial, where all of our attorneys remain undefeated.

Undefeated Midland Truck and 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consultation

Our Midland Truck Accident Attorneys have Won Billions and the #1 largest truck accident verdicts and settlements in history on behalf of oilfield, truck accident, and wrongful death victims across West Texas and the United States.

If you or a loved one were injured or tragically killed in a Truck or 18-Wheeler Accident, call 1-888-603-3636, use the “chat now” button, or Click Here to send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.

Our Midland Truck Accident Lawyers will answer your questions, explain your rights and options, and make sure you have the information you need to decide what’s best for you and your family.

All consultations are free, and you won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.

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