Midland Truck Crash Update 2025: Midland Home to Most Dangerous Roads in Texas

Undefeated Midland Truck Accident Lawyers

Midland is one of the most dangerous areas in Texas for truck accidents — not because of population, but because of the constant surge in oilfield traffic and companies that continue to put profits over public safety. Midland and Martin counties, at the heart of the Permian Basin, are facing a growing truck accident crisis. In 2025, nearly 1 in 8 crashes in Midland involved a commercial truck and in Martin County, that number rose to nearly 1 in every 2.5 crashes — one of the highest rates in Texas.

With Billions recovered for injured Texans, our undefeated truck accident lawyers have seen firsthand how devastating these crashes are for West Texas families. That’s why do whatever it takes to hold negligent trucking and energy companies fully accountable and secure the maximum compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.

Here’s what our team uncovered about truck crashes in Midland in 2025 — and how we can secure your future if you’ve been hurt on local roads or oilfield routes.

Truck Crash Trends in Midland 2025

In 2025, roughly 544 truck accidents were reported across Midland and Martin counties, resulting in more than 200 reported injuries and 13 fatalities, according to TxDOT’s Crash Records Information Systems (CRIS) database. These accidents involved only carriers with registered USDOT numbers, which includes most commercial trucks operating in Texas, but not all.

While the state has not yet finalized its 2025 data, once the official records are released, the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries will almost certainly be even higher.

Serious Truck Accident Injuries Surged in 2025 — Even as Overall Crashes Declined

While Midland saw a slight decrease in total truck crashes and fatalities over the year — from 566 crashes and 19 fatalities in 2024 — the severity of those crashes has sharply increased.

According to TxDOT CRIS data, there was a 69% increase in serious, life-threatening injuries in just one year:

2025: 27 suspected severe injuries
2024: 16 suspected severe injuries

Even more alarming, severe injuries accounted for 13% of all reported truck crash injuries in 2025, jumping from just 7% in 2024. The data makes one thing clear — even though Midland may be seeing fewer truck crashes overall, the crashes that are happening are becoming far more dangerous for the people involved.

Midland Truck Accidents Surged Due to Driver Fatigue

At least 86 truck crashes in Midland occurred between midnight and 6 a.m., the window when fatigue is most likely to impair alertness and reaction time. These late-night and early-morning crashes accounted for 16% of all truck accidents in Midland, up from 13% in 2024, showing that fatigue-related crashes are not only persistent but getting worse.

For comparison, Dallas sees only 11% of its truck crashes during these overnight hours, and Houston just 8%, making Midland’s fatigue-linked crash rate one of the highest among major trucking hubs in Texas.

The trend reflects a larger problem in the oil patch: with nonstop operations and intense production pressure, too many companies continue pushing drivers past safe limits. From violating Hours-of-Service rules to driving with untreated sleep apnea or forcing haulers into double shifts, fatigue behind the wheel remains one of the most preventable — and most deadly — risks on West Texas roads. Research consistently shows that driving drowsy can impair a driver as severely as alcohol.

Rear-End Truck Crashes Were Midland’s Most Dangerous Collisions

Rear-end truck crashes in Midland were particularly hazardous in 2025 with 67 rear-ending collisions resulting in at least 33 reported injuries and two fatalities — likely a conservative count given the high severity of impacts, especially when multi-vehicle crashes or chain-reaction pileups are involved.

While side-swipe incidents occurred more often (80 total, mainly on I-20), rear-end collisions consistently caused more serious, life-threatening injuries, particularly for occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.

Many of these rear-end crashes stemmed from predictable oilfield and roadway conditions:

Vehicles entering driveways: 20 crashes
Stopping or slowing for traffic: 10 crashes
Slowing to make left turns: 7 crashes

Highway speeds, sharp curves, and limited reaction time on Midland’s rural routes, combined with frequent stops and turns into private drives and oil field access points, make rear-end collisions especially dangerous.

For example, in September, a Mack truck towing a trailer failed to yield while turning onto Texas State Highway 158 (SH-158) from a private drive, triggering a three-vehicle chain reaction that tragically killed a San Angelo man and left multiple others injured.

Head-on collisions were also common, occurring at least 18 times in 2025, further highlighting the hazards of Midland’s local roads.

Oilfield Routes Are the Deadliest Roadways in Midland

Midland’s busiest oilfield corridors — particularly SH-158 and Texas State Highway 349 (SH-349) — saw the highest numbers of truck-crash fatalities and severe injuries in 2025. SH-158 alone accounted for four fatalities and multiple crashes involving three or more injuries, while SH-349 recorded three fatalities and at least eight suspected severe injuries.

But the danger wasn’t limited to these major highways.

Smaller oilfield feeder roads also saw a number of serious and fatal crashes, including:

E County Road 120: 2 fatalities, 1 severe injury
FM 1787: 1 fatality, 2 severe injuries
County Road 5100: 1 fatality
S County Road 1270: 1 fatality
FM 1788: 3 severe injuries (including one at FM 1787)
FM 1213 at E County Road 140: 1 severe injury
FM 715: 1 severe injury

Across the region, two-lane oilfield roadways accounted for more than 92 truck crashes, while four-lane highways saw another 261. The pattern is clear: the Midland oil patch remains one of the most dangerous areas in Texas for both truck drivers and passenger-vehicle occupants.

What To Do After a Truck Crash in Midland

For people who live and work in Midland, avoiding busy trucking corridors like I-20 or SH-158 isn’t realistic. If you were injured in a serious truck accident, facing billion-dollar trucking or oilfield companies can feel overwhelming. These corporations often deny fault, minimize injuries, and shift blame — all while their legal teams work to protect the bottom line.

Act quickly to protect your rights:

Call 911 and seek 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 oilfield truck accident attorney as soon as possible. If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck or 18-wheeler crash in Midland, you deserve a legal team with a proven record against the largest companies in Texas.

At Zehl & Associates, we prepare every case for trial, fight for full compensation, and have recovered Billions for victims across the state. Our Odessa truck accident lawyers are undefeated — and we are here for Midland residents every step of the way.

Proven Results for Midland Truck Accident Victims

When trucking companies cut corners, West Texas families often pay the price. At Zehl & Associates, we never settle for less — and neither should you.

With Billions recovered, we have the experience and resources to take on the largest companies in the world and not only win — but set record-breaking results

We recently secured a $32M settlement for a family struck head-on by a fatigued oilfield truck driver near Midland. Even after four weeks in the hospital, our clients faced a company that refused to take responsibility and denied them full compensation. Our Undefeated Oilfield Truck Accident Lawyers fought to obtain a record-breaking settlement less than nine months after filing the lawsuit.

Here’s how we support our clients:

Top Medical Care: Access to the best specialists at no upfront cost.
Maximizing Compensation: Recovering the full value of your losses.
Post-Settlement Support: Guidance for financial planning after your case.
24/7 Availability: Support whenever you need it.

At Zehl, you’re more than a case — you’re family. Learn why so many of our clients say, “Zehl took care of everything.”

You Need the Best Midland Truck Accident Attorneys on Your Side: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult

Our Midland-Odessa Truck Accident Lawyers have recovered Billions for our clients, including the largest record-breaking verdicts and settlements for the victims of oilfield truck accidents and 18-wheeler crashes in Texas, New Mexico, and across the United States. 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 Midland, 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.

All consultations are free, and because we only represent clients for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.